What engine problems does the Mercedes-Benz Metris have, and what do they cost?

Short answer: Metris owners report two big engine bills: the crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve assembly, which owners say is only sold as a roughly $1,000 unit plus a few hours of labor, and cam or cam adjuster work. Members tied cam and chain wear to oil changes, so check the oil level often and don't stretch changes. Also run the VIN for the fuel hose recalls.

Symptom: Check-engine light, oil leaks or smoke from the vent system, rough running or timing codes, or a major engine failure.

What to check first

1. Run your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the fuel hose recalls.
2. Check the oil level every fill-up and keep the oil changes on schedule.
3. Have codes read; vent valve and cam timing faults set codes.
4. Ask for the old parts and the diagnosis in writing on any cam job.
5. Smell for fuel in the engine bay.

Likely causes

1. Crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve assembly. The crankcase vent valve lets engine blow-by gases into the intake to be burned. On this turbo engine it's a plastic assembly that owners say is sold only as a unit.
2. Camshaft and cam adjuster wear. The cam adjusters change valve timing. Worn cams or adjusters cause rough running and timing codes, and members tied cam and chain wear to oil changes.
3. Oil starvation and bottom-end failure. If the engine runs low on oil or oil changes are stretched, bearings can fail.

What it usually costs

One member said the crankcase vent valve assembly is about $1,000 plus a few hours of labor at $150 an hour and up. Owners didn't post prices for the cam work.

Is it safe to keep driving?

A vent valve fault usually isn't an emergency, but timing problems or a knocking engine are. If you smell fuel, stop driving it and check the recalls.

DIY or shop?

These are shop jobs on the Metris. Oil checks are DIY.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Related recalls: NHTSA lists two fuel hose recalls on these vans: 18V837000 (some 2016-2017 Metris: the fuel hose in the engine compartment may leak) and 22V134000 (some 2017-2022 Metris: the upper and lower fuel hose connections to the engine may be insecure and leak). A fuel leak in the engine bay is a fire risk. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If your car is part of a recall, the dealer fixes it for free.
• Plain words: The complaint count below shows how often owners reported problems that mention these words to NHTSA. A count is not proof of a defect.
• NHTSA complaints: 15 keyword-matched complaints for Mercedes-Benz Metris 2016–2020 (of 184 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-30; keywords: camshaft, crankcase, pcv, rod, engine fail, engine (seiz, damage)) (NHTSA returned no data for 2 model-year queries). This counts complaints that mention these words. It is not a defect finding.

What owners report

• In 2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris - Brken crankcase valve on Car Talk, a 2016 Metris owner asked why the whole crankcase ventilation valve had to be replaced. A member said the valve isn't sold separately, so the roughly $1,000 part isn't optional, and the job takes a few hours of labor at $150 an hour and up. Another explained these vent systems are more complex on turbo engines.
• In 2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris - Big engine issus on Car Talk, a 2016 Metris had its cams replaced by Mercedes, then threw a rod shortly after. Members asked about mileage and oil change habits, and said cam and timing chain problems usually come back to irregular oil changes and low oil.

Quick tip

Change the oil on time and check it yourself. A work van that only gets oil when the light comes on is the one that ends up needing cams.

Vehicle focus: Mercedes-Benz Metris vans, 2016-2020, 2.0L turbo gas.

Safety / mechanic note

Fuel leaks and engine failures are safety items. Verify with a mechanic.