AI Damage2020 Mercedes-Benz Metris reliability: common problems
Owners of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Metris filed 7 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and steering. The maker issued 46 service bulletins for this year. We found 1 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 7
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 46
- YouTube repair videos
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 29% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 29% of all complaints
- 3 Wheels 29% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (29% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 16.
- Steering: 2 complaints (29% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Wheels: 2 complaints (29% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- automatic, 7-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 7 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 16 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Wheels | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Fuel system | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Seat belts | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Seats | 0 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Tires were always inflated to recommended psi with no tpms warning lamps tires are now unsafe to drive on and could cause a blowout, crash, injury or death. Mb is not owning up to the wrong tire size and rating on these vans and being under rated from what what it should be .
My vehicle has a manufacturing defect that has been causing excessive tire wear and alignment issues. New tires are needed every 7k miles and the wheels will not stay in alignment. This has been reported by many other owners.
Power steering malfunction caused by computer glitch when we had a bump. SeeNHTSA recall #17V-595 for earlier manufactured Metris.Yes- available for inspection. Yes, loss of power steering endangered us an anything in our path as we attempted to steer the van without powered steering I donât know if it can be…
After one year of ownership, purchased used from dealer with 40 miles) I have to replace control unit due to the location of the unit in the car developing mold from condensation. Is a common problem, is widely discussed on the internet, and MBZ does not cover under warranty.
To whom it may concern, while driving on the highway I lost function of power steering and a message came on stating "power steering malfunction see operator manual".
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 11,587 of 32,257 model years in the NHTSA data (top 36% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Metris has 24 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 7, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Wheels. Wheel runout, cracks, signs of a wheel strike.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- ASSYST PLUS service reminder appears earlier than expected due to vehicle operating conditions Complaint…
ASSYST PLUS service reminder appears earlier than expected due to vehicle operating conditions Complaint The ASSYST PLUS service reminder appears earlier than expected. The customer or dealer may report that the…
- Acoustic Warning or message occurring when a closed sliding door is not recognized Complaint Customer may…
Acoustic Warning or message occurring when a closed sliding door is not recognized Complaint Customer may state the warning message or indicator accompanied by acoustic tone alerting the sliding door is ajar when the…
- OM642 DPF Filter Cracked or Broken Complaint Vehicle will not start or exhibits noisy exhaust
Check Engine Lamp (CEL) is on. Multiple control unit communication and system faults may be present, including but not limited to: 134800, 134900, 11B300, 11EC00, 15E100, 155700, 162500. Additional events codes may…
- Check engine light on and FC P146264 stored in engine and fuel pump control units Complaint Check engine…
Check engine light on and FC P146264 stored in engine and fuel pump control units Complaint Check engine light active and FC P146264 Temp. and pressure sensor B4/15 is stored in Engine control unit and Fuel pump…
- The software for the communication module does not correspond to the latest series production configuration
For this reason, a remote software update to update the software for the communication module is planned for the affected vehicles. This update includes quality-enhancing optimizations for the communication module to…
- Complaint Transmission control unit Y3/8n4 (fully integrated transmission control unit (VGS)) not listed…
Complaint Transmission control unit Y3/8n4 (fully integrated transmission control unit (VGS)) not listed in quick test and/or no communication possible with VGS. Cause Transmission control unit Y3/8n4 Remedy For…
- Check engine light illuminated - Fault code current P04D-B79 The crankcase ventilation system is interrupted
Complaint: Check engine light on. Fault code P04DB79 is current in the engine control module (N3/10). Cause: Open circuit or high resistance to crankcase vent line contact Remedy 1. Check the electrical connector for…
- Warning Lamp "Washer Fluid Empty" Yet Reservoir Is Not Empty Complaint
Warning lamp "washer fluid empty", even thought the washer fluid reservoir is full Cause: Insufficient electrical conductivity of the washer fluid, as the washer fluid was mixed with distilled water. Tip: The washer…
- Complaint Fault code P06DA00 is found current or stored in engine control unit
Check engine light may be activated. Cause Various causes Remedy Up to Model year 2018: Fault code P06DA00 can be disregarded if not activating the check engine light, unless otherwise specified in the gui- ded test…
- M274 poly-V belt squeaking noises, falls off, not aligned, broken
- SMOG/Emissions Test fail due to one or more Readiness Monitors not set Complaint
The vehicle has failed the State Emissions Certification because one or more of the OBDII readiness monitors are not completely set. Cause: One or more of the following Readiness Monitors are not fully set within…
- Complaint
Noises when reversing slowly <5 km/h (squeaking) Cause: There is a seal in the electric drivetrain that seals off the coolant system from the electric motor. This seal is moistened with coolant during forward travel…
NHTSA lists 46 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Metris?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, steering, wheels. Total complaints: 7. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: rear-view camera (29%), steering or power steering problems (29%), loss of power / limp mode (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Metris?
NHTSA lists 46 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2020 Mercedes-Benz Metris from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2020 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.