Should I buy a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris with documented steering problems?

Depends on the price and the specific vehicle. Documented steering issues should be priced into the purchase — if the seller is asking full retail, negotiate down by the expected repair cost. A pre-purchase inspection from an independent shop tells you whether THIS specific vehicle has already shown the symptoms or not.

2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris steering problems

moderate 5 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700

Complaints

Recalls

Crashes

Avg fix

$700

Related recalls

severe NHTSA 19V290000 10/04/2019

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Metris vehicles sold, or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington DC, West Virginia and Wisconsin

Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the aluminum bolts with steels bolts, free of charge. DTNA issued owners an interim notification on June 3, 2019. The recall began November 15, 2019. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS2SCHRALU.

severe NHTSA 17V595000 22/09/2017

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris vans

The improperly welded pins may lose contact, deactivating the power steering assist and increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric power steering rack, free of charge. An interim notice is expected to be mailed on November 17, 2017. A second notice will be mailed to owners when parts become available. Owners may contact Daimler's customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

What owners are reporting 3 most recent

steering · filed 11/09/2024

This Mercedes Metris is my wife's primary vehicle. She had the electric power steering stop working twice in six weeks. Each time the vehicle became barely controllable. Both times it happened on curvy mountain roads and she was barely able to keep control of the vehicle and is now afraid to drive it. We took it into the local Mercedes dealership twice and spent over a $1,000 the first time to rem…

steering · filed 08/31/2021

I was driving in a very remote location in central Utah on a paved Utah state highway and I crossed a cattle guard at about 45 mph. Immediately after crossing the cattle guard, the power steering malfunctioned, an alarm sounded and this message in bright orange appeared on the instrument panel display “Power Steering Malfunction. See Owners Manual". I immediately pulled over and stopped the vehic…

steering · filed 08/04/2025

Dealer says that Power Steering control unit/steering rack needs to be changed. Looks like same recall was there(17V-595) but my vin number is not in Mercedes system to be fixed. Happens when park. Steering was not working, van needs to be towed. Can you check if that should be part of recall?

Common questions

How serious is the steering problem on the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris?

It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 5 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.

At what mileage does the steering typically fail?

Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.

Are there any recalls related to steering?

Yes — 2 active recall(s) cover steering issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.