The 2016 draws 4.69 complaints per run and the 2018 1.73, a 2.7-fold gap within the same model. Half of all complaints arrive by 4 years of age, so 56.4% land after the 4-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Tires, with 40 complaints, typically at 5.7 years.
Mercedes-Benz Metris years to avoid — and the best ones
| Model year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Enough history? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 26 | 15 | yes | |
| 2017 | 29 | 16 | yes | |
| 2016 | 122 | 26 | yes |
Does the market discount it? In our listings a 2016 Metris asks a median $17,995, against $9,950 for a 2017, the next model year: 81% more, so the price shows no discount for its complaint record.
Among the 3 Mercedes-Benz Metris years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 2016, 2017, 2018; the three worth hunting are 2018, 2017, 2016.
When it starts to break
| Age at failure | Complaints | Running total | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 10.1% | covered | |
| 1 year | 22.9% | covered | |
| 2 years | 36.9% | covered | |
| 3 years | 43.6% | covered | |
| 4 years | 52% | you pay | |
| 5 years | 58.1% | you pay | |
| 6 years | 78.8% | you pay | |
| 7 years | 88.3% | you pay | |
| 8 years | 95.5% | you pay | |
| 9 years | 98.3% | you pay | |
| 10 years | 100% | you pay |
Basic warranty on this car is 4 years / 50,000 miles. Only 43.6% of reported failures happen inside it — the remaining 56.4% come out of the owner's pocket. Powertrain cover (4 years / 50,000 miles) reaches further, but it only covers the engine and transmission, which account for about 11% of the complaints here.
What actually fails — and at what age
On the Mercedes-Benz Metris, the early trouble is Fuel/propulsion System and Visibility/wiper — reported at around 3.2 years, so a car still under warranty is the one to check for it. What waits further out is Tires at 5.7 years — past every basic warranty, and the bill lands on whoever owns the car then.
| System | Complaints | Typical age | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tires | 5.7 yrs | — | — | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 3.2 yrs | — | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | 5.1 yrs | — | — | |
| Visibility/wiper | 0.6 yrs | — | — | |
| Engine | 6 yrs | — | 1 | |
| Steering | 6.1 yrs | — | — | |
| Wheels | 4.4 yrs | — | — | |
| Electrical System | 4.7 yrs | — | 1 |
What else in this class
6 models share the Metris's vehicle class. Per production run, the Ford Transit draws 1.28, the Dodge Caravan 2.65 and the Ford Transit Connect 1.52, against 3.03 for the Metris. That is the most complaints of the group.
| Same class as the Metris | Complaints on record | Recall campaigns | Years built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Transit | 193 | 2015–2026 | |
| Dodge Caravan | 208 | 1984–2008 | |
| Ford Transit Connect | 80 | 2010–2026 | |
| Nissan NV200 | 18 | 2013–2026 | |
| Dodge Ramcharger | 15 | 1981–1997 | |
| RAM Promaster City | 20 | 2015–2026 |
The table shows totals on record; the rates per production run are in the sentence above.
Good year or bad year — the VIN settles it.
- Check any VIN against complaints for its exact build year and plant
- Exact value for that car, adjusted for its mileage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Alerts if a recall lands on a car in your garage
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Mercedes-Benz Metris reliable?
By complaints per production run it is better than typical: 3.03 against 3.73 for the average car, and more than each of the 3 class rivals we compared.
Which Metris years should you avoid?
By complaints per production run, 2016, 2017, 2018. The cleanest years old enough to judge are 2018, 2017, 2016. Years newer than 6 are left out: complaints keep arriving for years after a car is sold.
When do Metris problems usually start?
Half of all complaints arrive by 4 years of age. The most reported system is Tires, typically at 5.7 years, followed by Fuel/propulsion System.
Will the warranty cover Metris problems?
Mostly not: basic cover is 4 years / 50,000 miles, and only 43.6% of reported failures fall inside it. Powertrain cover lasts longer, but engine and transmission make up about 11% of the complaints here.
Is the Metris more reliable than the Ford Transit?
No: 3.03 complaints per production run for the Metris against 1.28 for the Ford Transit.
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