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NHTSA Recall ID Number : 22V134 (potential fuel line leak)

9K views 46 replies 15 participants last post by  Rockster 
#1 ·
I just received an email from NHTSA regarding a potential fuel line leak for 2017-->2022 Metris vans:

 
#2 ·
Poop. Now we have the brake master cylinder issue and fuel lines. There goes another 1/2 day or so at the dealr.
 
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#3 ·
Based on the NHSTA notification and the Mercedes Bulletin (doc = RCMN-22V134-3306.pdf from link above), no dealer can sell, lease, or rent any new Metris van. This is being enforced at dealerships as I know someone who was about to purchase a new Metris and the dealer said they could not sell it due to the fuel line recall and lack of parts for the fix (looks like the part is a hose clamp). Estimated delivery of the parts is Q3! Hopefully they resolve this or no new Metris can be sold.

Anyone able to confirm this?
 
#4 ·
It appears that the only thing a dealership would have to do is have its service department inspect the fuel lines:

"An authorized Mercedes-Benz Metris dealer will check the correct mounting of the upper and lower fuel hose connections and replace the clamps and the fuel hose if necessary. Owners who have had this remedy performed at their own expense prior to the recall notification may be eligible for reimbursement according to MBUSA’s reimbursement plan.​
"There are no differences between the remedy components and the recalled components. Specifically, the clamp/hose installation on the upper and lower connections to the respective fuel lines will be checked, and corrected if necessary."​
The clamp appears to be available and the other part is a length of fuel hose.
 
#9 ·
I don't think the dealer's computer will allow them to sell the van. As per the dealer notice:
"All affected VINs will be flagged as “PENDING” in VMI and cannot be sold."​
"Parts are not yet available"​


NHTSA lists the current status of the recall 22V134 as "remedy not yet available."

Maybe these seemingly common parts are unavailable through the dealer parts chain, or maybe one of the "parts" necessary is an inspection instruction sheet for the dealer techs.
 
#8 ·
Maybe there is (has been) a push to halt sales and other activities: to prevent critical issues from causing damage, injury, death ... as we sometimes hear in the news, when dealers and sales lots ignore recalls for perhaps things brake lines, faulty airbags, etc. Then there's an accident, or a vehicle catches fire ... hey it had an open recall for that but no notification was received or nobody ran the vin, but the vehicle was just sold! Maybe?
 
#11 ·
I assume this issue is different from the fuel smell problem folks reported a few years ago? BTW, the pdf from Gottlieb's link suggests there are only 187 Metris in dealer inventory -- can't be?

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#13 ·
I think they are the same issue, going back to 2016 vans. There is some dialog in the linked Chronology .pdf in the NHTSA Notification that describes the evolution of the issue and the basis for the recall including customer reports of "fuel odor".


Not sure about the actual inventory numbers, but as I started looking for Metris vans a couple of weeks ago I found what seemed to be a wide selection, including quite a few (~20+) Getaways.
 
#16 ·
Might also relate to the chicken tax situation where things get built and tested overseas, then disassembled there, shipped and reassembled here. How are the engines shipped? With what fluids and hoses? What exactly has to happen here with what? ...

I just had flashbacks to temp jobs as a young lad, where with basically next to no training you went on a production line, no big deal when they're doing a test run at 1/4 or 1/2 speed and you have a supervisor next to you at every turn; systems running at full whack ... as a newbie ... with supplies barely keeping up, overlooked logistics, or whatever; it was very easy to not be able to keep up due to lack of finesse, experience, make a mistake, ... even for seasoned workers. Due to lack of procedure, instruction and wanting to run at 110% instead of 90% ... with as few staff as possible.
 
#17 ·
As I understand it, the notice is an "Initial Recall Campaign Notification" and there is no currently open recall until the letters go out sometime in April (this month). As a result, it appears that the service centers at the dealers do not have an official recall in place or the documentation they need to conduct the inspection and do any needed repair. So, our van sits on the dealer lot until such time as MB gets the official recall notice and associated documentation to the service centers... supposed to happen this month. We'll see.
 
#19 ·
Thanks for this!
Looks like the notices are out and received by at least some owners. The dealers should have gotten their notices on or before 4 April 2022 according to the NHTSA docs. However, the notice states: "Unfortunately, the parts to remedy this issue currently not yet available". Given that the problem is described as "sporadic" and "infrequent" by MB, the overwhelming majority of vans will pass the inspection and no clamps or fuel hoses will be needed. I'm trying to convince the dealer to inspect our van to determine if it has this issue. If it doesn't it should be cleared and they can sell it to us.
 
#21 · (Edited)
Letter dated April 2022.

Below I have typed in the most important things in the notice....
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Safety Recall Notice.

Check and Replace Fuel Hose Clamps and Hose

NHTSA Recall #22V134

This recall notice applies to some MY 2017-2022 M-B Metris vehicles.

The problem is the upper and lower fuel hose connections for the fuel lines on the 4-cylinder engines may not be securely attached. This could lead to minor fuel leak at the upper connection that feeds the high pressure fuel pump or the lower connecting point of the transition hose, between the under body fuel line and the Schrader valve. A fuel leak in the presnce of a potential igntion source within the engine compartment could create a risk of fire.

An authorized M-B Metris dealer will check the correct mounting of the upper and lower fuel hose connections and replace the clamps and the fuel hose if necessary.

Unfortunately the parts to remedy this issue are currently not yet available.

When the parts are available another letter will be sent asking I take my vehicle to an authorized M-B dealer to have the recall completed free of charge.

A phone number: 1 800 367 6372 is given. And there is a VIN based recall lookup tool on the MBUSA.com website which offers a search function that will indicate whether a vehicle has been subject to a safety recall notice.

www.mbvans.com/sprinter/owners-resources/recall

and enter your vehicle's 17 digit VIN in the look up tool.

Added: Since my search for a thread on this subject failed to turn up this thread I have removed this line: "Searched and found no post on this so I thought I'd mention it so owners would be aware of this..." Clearly my searching attempt was a failure...
 
#22 ·
I noticed that the recall campaign has been updated with a new notice to dealers that outlines specifically what has to be done to resolve the issue. They have also reduced the number of dealer inventory vehicles that are affected from 187 to 141. These may be the vehicles that were manufactured after the November 2021 "fix" instituted at the assembly line.

 
#23 ·
So, I got a letter yesterday from Mercedes with safety recall stamped on it. Immediately thought fuel lines or brake fluid reservoir. However, inside was
Font Rectangle Circle Magenta Number

Font Number Document Pattern Paper


Strangely enough I've been using a trailer a lot recently and noticed sometimes when I switch to trailer view, the screen goes blank and I have to switch to neutral and back to reverse to see again. Doesn't sound exactly like the same thing unless they did the software update at the last service...
 
#24 ·
What's the recall ID number?
 
#26 ·
Re: Fuel connection recall. My van has been paid for. I registered the van in my state & received plates already. I am scheduled to pick it up from the dealer next week (1st week in May). I then have to drive it back home halfway across the country (WA to midwest). Does MB allow the dealer to release it to me? Can I insist the dealer at least visually inspect the van for the problem? Should I accept the van if the dealer refuses to inspect it? What if it doesn't pass dealer's visual inspection - is dealer required to store it? What if it does pass - should I believe them? Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me.
 
#29 ·
If you paid for it prior to the late March 2022 Initial Recall Notice then your van would likely be treated just like the other 42,073 affected vehicles in the field. It would not be counted in the 187 vehicles in Dealer Inventory (which has since been reduced to 141 as of the latest recall update linked above). But if you paid for it after the initial recall then the dealer may have broken Federal Law by selling it to you without first resolving the fuel line clamp recall issue. I think that given the potential severity of this issue that dealers will be careful. The detailed notice (linked above) shows exactly what needs to be inspected and what to look for as well as how to resolve the issue. The dealer I am working with were not aware of the "stop sell" in the initial recall notice from MB to dealers (I made them aware of it). However the van I plan to buy did come up "pink" in the inventory list indicating that something needed to be addressed prior to delivery.
 
#30 ·
New member, But not yet an owner with my first posting, . I placed an order in early Nov, waited patiently until mid March when the dealer contacted me to let me know the van was ready to ship. But then another email arrived to let me know that MB had placed a do not sell tag on it. So I guess I am one of the lucky 141 buyers who has to wait, but for how long? The van's is meant primarily as a "bike rack" but I also need it for business, so I am getting ready to rent a van by the month. Is there any chance MB will find 141 kits, or will I be waiting until all the kits are with the dealers which is I understand will be July or later.
 
#31 ·
I took delivery of a new Metris last Friday. I was told by the dealership in late March, when I put a deposit on the van, that the parts would be available in Q3 but that they could be available much earlier. Then I got a call on April 18th that the van would be ready in a few days. I am assuming that they either had the parts to fix it or, after inspection, the van did not have the problem. Either way the van was ready for pick-up on the 29th. So I would pester your dealer about getting the recall resolved as it would appear that it can be in some cases. Good luck!
 
#34 ·
Got the letter informing me the parts to address the fuel hose clamps and hose safety recall are available and I can make arrangements to have my van in for this. The service department will check the correct mounting of the upper and lower fuel hose connections and replace the clamps and hose if necessary. This takes approximately one hour.
 
#35 ·
We got the letter from Mercedes-Benz yesterday - dated May, 2022. We called our local dealer and were told that the next available appointment is the end of August. This is for a "safety recall"! We were also told that they might have to keep the van for two to five days, even though the letter explicitly says it "could take approximately 1 hour."
We are sending a letter to MB requesting they authorize us to have the inspection & work performed at our local MB certified repair shop and that they will reimburse us for the work.
We'll see what response we get.
 
#37 ·
I tried to schedule my first A service for the end of the week. My dealer told me that since the brake recall makes the van a liability for MB, they won't release it back to me until the recall has been fixed. They tell me it's going to take the whole day. So I was told to be prepared to be without the van until it's fixed! I was not given the option to just get the A service done and come back to address the recall at a more convenient time.
 
#38 ·
I can understand the concern by MB (although they took a very long time to take action on the issue of the brake fluid reservoir mounting errors) but, based on the descriptions of the 'fix", it sounds like it should take but a few minutes to resolve the issue. As in this, and virtually all other service activities in the US, circumstances have lead to significant shortages in qualified personnel. One of the primary drivers for this (and something that is not often discussed) is the "Great Retirement" of baby boomers. Prior to the pandemic they were retiring at a rate of about 10,000 per day. That has accelerated by 7% since the beginning of the pandemic. Some have noted that this increased 7% is almost entirely highly-skilled technical and journeyman (journeywoman) personnel. They take a lot of experience, efficiency, and mentorship with them and this leaves operations like MB service with deficient staff in both numbers and knowledge which slows the operation down. I'm not giving excuses for MB service, just pointing out that it is a difficult environment and one that we will be living with for some time to come. There are just not enough GenX replacements and the Millennials are only just starting to impact such high-skill jobs.
 
#41 ·
Ok, had my 2020 126" cargo van in for the two recalls. Brake reservoir and fuel lines/clamps.

Arrived a few minutes before the 1pm appointment time and drove the van away at 2:17pm.

Oh, current mileage on the van is 16979 miles.

For the recall campaign: #2022040011 -- Check and Replace Fuel Hose; 2 Loom ties (006-997-18-90) were replaced and one fuel hose (0000000-004158) was replaced.

For the recall campaign #2022090032 -- Check Brake Fluid Reservoir Mounting -- the check found the brake fluid reservoir in no need of any attention.

While in the service bay the tech performed a multi-point inspection.

Front and rear brakes (both over 5mm). Front tires (over 7/32") and rear tires (over 6/32"). Front tires were replaced just late last fall. A bit worn -- mainly from use in town with lots of sharp turns -- and since the van is my foul weather vehicle I wanted good tires all around. Rear tires were hardly worn at all.

Tire pressures were checked. No note of what the pressures were or if they needed adjusting but I try to keep the tire pressures good.

Drive belts checked. Everything looked good.

Inspection for oil/fluid leaks. None found.

Coolant level checked and was ok.

Windshield checked. Ok.

The multi-point inspection found nothing in need of attention.

So the two safety recalls are out of the way. The hose being replaced was probably preventative in nature to get a better hose in there. There was no odor of gasoline. No leak sign.

Am very happy with the M-B dealer (Mercedes-Benz of Northwest Arkansas (Bentonville, AR)) and its service department, and with the sales department too for I bought the van there in August 2020 and the purchase was a most pleasant experience.

Have been thinking about buying another M-B but not sure what I want other than I think I want something with a V-6 engine. But a coupe, sedan or SUV... I don't know.
 
#44 ·
Ok, had my 2020 126" cargo van in for the two recalls. Brake reservoir and fuel lines/clamps.

Arrived a few minutes before the 1pm appointment time and drove the van away at 2:17pm.

Oh, current mileage on the van is 16979 miles.

For the recall campaign: #2022040011 -- Check and Replace Fuel Hose; 2 Loom ties (006-997-18-90) were replaced and one fuel hose (0000000-004158) was replaced.

For the recall campaign #2022090032 -- Check Brake Fluid Reservoir Mounting -- the check found the brake fluid reservoir in no need of any attention.

While in the service bay the tech performed a multi-point inspection.

Front and rear brakes (both over 5mm). Front tires (over 7/32") and rear tires (over 6/32"). Front tires were replaced just late last fall. A bit worn -- mainly from use in town with lots of sharp turns -- and since the van is my foul weather vehicle I wanted good tires all around. Rear tires were hardly worn at all.

Tire pressures were checked. No note of what the pressures were or if they needed adjusting but I try to keep the tire pressures good.

Drive belts checked. Everything looked good.

Inspection for oil/fluid leaks. None found.

Coolant level checked and was ok.

Windshield checked. Ok.

The multi-point inspection found nothing in need of attention.

So the two safety recalls are out of the way. The hose being replaced was probably preventative in nature to get a better hose in there. There was no odor of gasoline. No leak sign.

Am very happy with the M-B dealer (Mercedes-Benz of Northwest Arkansas (Bentonville, AR)) and its service department, and with the sales department too for I bought the van there in August 2020 and the purchase was a most pleasant experience.

Have been thinking about buying another M-B but not sure what I want other than I think I want something with a V-6 engine. But a coupe, sedan or SUV... I don't know.
Double check your reservoir.
 
#42 ·
I'm going in on the 26th. They said they need it all day so they're giving me a loaner. I know the brake fluid reservoir needs to be remounted. I'd be surprised if the fuel lines are bad, but who knows.
 
#46 ·
That's unfortunate. Big companies can be like that ...

It has to find its way to the right person, who may be swamped with other things to catch up on. Then, when a recall and money is involved, it probably has to be cleared with other people, ...

If you don't hear back within 30 days, I'd try to reach a person by phone.
 
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