Recall 17V244 affects 305 2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris vehicles for front seatbelt pretensioners that can malfunction. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 305 2016 Metris vans because the front-seat seatbelt pretensioners can fail to work properly in a crash. If the pretensioners fail, seat occupants are not adequately restrained, increasing injury risk; Mercedes-Benz dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The front seat belt pretensioner in a 2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris is part of the restraint system. In a crash, it uses a small igniter and gas charge to pull slack out of the belt in an instant. That helps hold the driver or front passenger in the right position for the rest of the restraint system to work.
On affected Metris vans, a supplier production deviation left certain pretensioner igniters outside the required propellant mix ratio. The propellant is the material that makes the igniter fire with the right force. If that mix is wrong, the pretensioner does not deploy as designed in a crash, so the belt does not tighten the way Mercedes-Benz intended.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is inside the pretensioner igniter, so the owner is not given an advance alert before a crash event reveals the defect.
Who's affected?
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris | seat belt |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 305 |
| 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?
Faulty front seat seatbelt pretensioners can leave occupants without adequate restraint in a crash, increasing injury risk. There is no warning sign before the failure, so confirm whether your VIN is included and schedule the 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 front seat belt replacement that fixes the pretensioners needed for crash restraint.
- Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V244 when you call.
- Drive carefully until the repair is complete; the recall involves front seat belt pretensioners that protect occupants in a crash.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician replaces the front seat belts covered by recall 17V244. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Mercedes-Benz's general reimbursement plan covers eligible documented expenses for owners who already paid for this seat belt repair before the recall notice. Keep repair paperwork and ask Mercedes-Benz customer service or the service desk how to submit it.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 10, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 30, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| June 30, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 7, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
| July 7, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V244?
Recall 17V244 covers 305 2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris vehicles with front seat seatbelt pretensioners that can fail to work properly in a crash. If that happens, front-seat occupants face a higher risk of not being adequately restrained, increasing injury risk. Mercedes-Benz dealers will replace the front seat belts 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 17V244. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule replacement of the front seat belts. Reference recall number 17V244 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Mercedes-Benz will replace the front seat belts free of charge at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer. The free repair applies even if you bought the vehicle used.
Is it safe to drive my 2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris before the repair?
The recall does not include a do-not-drive order. The risk is tied to a crash, where the front seatbelt pretensioners can fail to restrain occupants properly. Check your VIN, then schedule the free seat-belt replacement with a Mercedes-Benz dealer if your van is included.
When were owners notified about recall 17V244?
Mercedes-Benz mailed an interim owner notice on June 9, 2017, and mailed the remedy-available notice on July 7, 2017. If you never received a letter, check your VIN to confirm whether your 2016 Metris is included before calling the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V244000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-877-762-8267 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V244 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V244000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →