Mercedes Benz Metris owners have reported 3 suspension related problems since 1996. Table 1 shows the 1 most common suspension problems. The number one most common problem is related to the vehicle's suspension (3 problems). For details of each of the problem category, use the links in the table.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Suspension problems |
The vehicle is unsteady wably fear of freeway driving vehicle does not appear to steer exactly where it is intended. Wheels feel much too small for vehicle. Took car in on 2023 was told recall is not activated. I can’t do freeway driving I am fearful in vehicle. Dealership only does related items for out of pocket expenses problem not solved.
Safety inspection of tires are showing abnormal and rapid tread wear focused on the outside facing section of tread on all four tires. While the section of tread on the inside facing section is near factory new. The vehicle was bought factory new and this is on the original set of tires. Mileage at this time is still below 25,000 as it is driven sparingly. Despite that all four corners exhibit rapid and uneven wear of the tread indicating an alignment issue from the factory. The vehicle has never been in any colision nor curbed even once. Owner research on various Metris forums show this is not an isolated issue. Many point to an error in factory parameters regarding camber as well as a excessive toe in.
When I noticed my right rear tire was balled amount to the steal belts, I knew there was a problem. The car only had 20k on it. I went to put the spare on. When removing the tire, up on factory jack, and bolts removed. I noticed that as much as I jacked the car up the tire would not come all the way off the ground. When I finally got the tire free, the brake rotor shot down on the bottom of the rim, shot the car up in the air, and jack knocked over. It was like the spring came complete uncompressed and shot the car up. When it came down, my hand was wedge between the tire and car. I was able to get it out quickly, but I could not get the car jack up all the way to get the tire off. I have to get a road side service to come with a longer jack to put under the suspension, jack it up to compress the suspension. Then I got the tire off. This all happened in my garage with a level concrete floor. I read the manual several time to make sure I did the tire change correctly, and I did. The van only had 20k miles. I'm still confused how the tire end up like it did. I took it to my nearest mercedes dealership. They told me nothing was broken on the rear suspension. They couldn't explain the issue I had changing the tire, but they had seen the tire wear issue several times on these vans. They said the alignment was way out. I use this vehicle for my video production business. After this accident, I had the car weighted on a cat scale, loaded and unloaded. I haul around 1300 pounds of gear. Its rated for 1874 pound of cargo, and that with two rows of seats that weigh 150 pounds each that I have removed from the car. I put new tires on the car and had it aligned with all the weight I carry. It was fine for about a 1000 miles. I just don't feel safe. It feels like I've max the suspension out. I feel the suspension on this car it not right for the weight is says it can handle.