Recall 16V342 affects 2 2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris vehicles for improperly welded rear differential gears. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 2 2016 Metris vans because rear differential gears were improperly welded. If the weld fails, the van can lose power to the wheels, which increases crash risk, and Mercedes-Benz dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The rear differential on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris is part of the rear axle assembly. Its gears take power from the driveline, turn it toward the rear wheels, and let the wheels rotate at different speeds when the van turns. The gear weld has to hold those parts together under steady load.
On the recalled Metris vans, the rear axle gear was built with an improper weld. Mercedes-Benz traced the defect to missing welding filler material during production, which means the welded joint was not made the way the design required. A correctly built replacement gear uses the required filler material, so the joint is formed as intended.
There is no warning sign before failure. Mercedes-Benz reported no complaints or incidents on these vehicles when the issue was identified, so owners should not rely on noise, vibration, or a dashboard warning to know whether their van is included.
Who's affected?
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris | drive axle |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 2 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris van is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific van is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the rear differential gear weld fails, the Metris can lose power to the wheels, which increases crash risk. There is no warning sign before failure, so drive cautiously and schedule the recall repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free rear-differential-gear replacement for the improperly welded gears.
- Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one. Reference recall number 16V342 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and pull over safely if power to the wheels drops.
- Contact Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-877-762-8267 if the dealer cannot confirm the repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician replaces the rear differential gears covered by recall 16V342. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the new vehicle warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, because all involved vehicles remain covered by warranty. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| May 5, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
|---|---|
| May 24, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
| August 11, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V342?
Recall 16V342 covers 2 2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris vehicles with rear differential gears that were improperly welded. If the weld fails, power to the wheels can be lost, increasing crash risk. Mercedes-Benz dealers replace the rear differential gears for free.
What should I do if my 2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific van is included in recall 16V342. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule replacement of the rear differential gears. Reference recall number 16V342 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the defect repair to be completed at no cost, and the filed remedy for recall 16V342 states dealers will replace the rear differential gears free of charge at a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of power to the wheels if the rear differential gear weld fails. That loss of drive power increases crash risk, especially in traffic. Confirm the VIN, then arrange the free dealer repair if your Metris is included.
What if I bought my Mercedes-Benz Metris used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. If you never received the 2016 owner notice, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Metris is included, then call a Mercedes-Benz dealer with recall number 16V342.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V342000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-877-762-8267 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V342 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V342000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) - Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →