[Serge9898]

@Metroplex Metris. Everybody will come with a different opinion indeed, and the MB Service Director himself was not 100% sure how to interpret the bulletin, but I read the bulletin again. The recall is due to MB specifying 101 load tire that fail to conform Safety Standard. It's only about load rating (not size): "If you have 101 tire (as required), it will be replaced for free" (Sic).
The size is not mentioned. Knowing how open to interpretation it is, I believe you have a very good case to negotiate with your MB dealer (should you have to pay the price difference between 17" and 18"...)

 

[pounce]

The size is not mentioned. Knowing how open to interpretation it is, I believe you have a very good case to negotiate with your MB dealer (should you have to pay the price difference between 17" and 18"...)

The recall instructions specify installation of new 235/55R17XL 103H Continental VanContact A/S tires.

 

[BlauBlitzen2016]

I get it, and generally agree with the "not a huge deal" sentiment. But I want what I paid for -- MB knows this or they wouldn't be offering new tires.

I am feeling tenacious (maybe even obnoxious) on this one because the nearly 2 year delay (actually 5.5 years since I bought Metris) has been at my real, not imagined, risk, especially when I didn't know about the problem. MB's claim of parts unavailability is, I believe, nothing but a convenient corporate dodge that NHTSA will tolerate. I might be less strident If I could get the right tires without lying to the retailer, but I can't.

BTW, I am not sure why, but MB has never issued a load limitation warning or any operational guidance to address the undersized tires. I don't understand that. In the absence of such manufacturer guidance, I really have no way to know how much to underload the van. So again, MB has effectively offloaded all risk on this one to owners. I may be Pollyanna, but I expect more of a responsible manufacturer.

I'm a little confused. My tire dealer will sell me whatever rating and size I want, so long as they fit on the rims and the weight rating is over the manufacturer's specification. Is there a regulation in your state?

 

[pounce]

and the weight rating is over the manufacturer's specification

That's the point they are trying to make.

 

[focus805]

I just enjoyed a 25 minute circular conversation with Mercedes. They explained (after I tore up the first 5 B.S. fake answers) that the Parts availability letter -- now shown by NHTSA to have been mailed on April 19th, applies to one of several subgroups in the recall. I am apparently under 2022080008, rather than 2024020016, which is what the April letter applies to. I have no way to verify this claim

 

[Leemodern]

3 months ago, in March 2024, I called MB AG and the NHTSA and I filed a complain with both about the Tire Recall 22V482.

Last week, I had to do the DMV mandatory Fuel Hose recall 22V134 to get my registration renewed.

According to the MB work report, there found "fuel dampness and smell" and MB replaced the hose and clamps.
They also completed the 3 other pending repairs listed below. All recalls, but the Tire Recall 22V482: No news: pending status, as usual for 2 years...
But as the fuel recall didn't go well for me (as other customers experienced, we had a strong fuel odor inside the vehicle that intoxicated my family), I had to bring it back, I wrote a Google review and dealt with the dealer Service Manager.

Is it because he was eager to make it right... But after having no information for months, he was suddenly able to pull the following information about the Tire repair from his system.

• Tire recall 22V482 still shows pending, but there is now a date for the recall, in 2 waves. Wave 1: Apr '24?, Wave 2 June '24.
• My Metris VIN is listed in the June '24 wave. I should receive an update letter from MB in June.
• There are 24000 Metris total concerned. 2900 in the June wave. They are starting from older to newer.
• There are 2 sizes or tires: I have the 225/55R17 101H (Other is 235/60R16). The new load requirement will be 103H, 104H, 107H and 109H. (Depending on Commercial, Passenger and Spare tire, not sure I got the details right, as he was also trying to figure out what was on the technical bulletin).
• He said that it doesn't matter if you replaced your stock tires yet or not, if you now have 101H load rated tires on the van: they will be replaced for free.
  (The logic being: MB changed the load rating, so they put the appropriate tires)

This is what he said... is it because he really wanted me to amend my Google review... may be. But this is the information he gave me.
- The funny coincidence is that I replaced my 4 stock tires yesterday! (He said it doesn't matter, if they are 101H they will be replaced)

Load Index	Pounds (lbs)	Kilograms (kg)
101	1,819	825
102	1,874	850
103	1,929	875
104	1,984	900
105	2,039	925
106	2,094	950
107	2,149	975
108	2,205	1000
109	2,271	1030

#

Metris 2017 recalls

Notice date

Campain

NHTSA Recall#

MB Ready? MB says Open

Duration

I want it?

Rec. start

Done?

Notice

DMV

Description

1

Rear view cam freeze

Mar '22

2022120003

22V099

Y

No

Jan '23

5/21/2024

HW not ready. MB want to update the Sw for black screen instead of freeze.

2

Fuel Hose connections

Apr '22

2022040011

22V134

Y: May '22

1 h

Yes

Apr '22

5/21/2024

Mandatory

Leaks. Check and replace the clamps and fuel hose as nescessary

3

Break fluid reservoir mounting

May '22

2022030032

22V066

Y

30 min

Yes?

Apr '18

5/21/2024

AI: Check mounting.

4

Tires Load

Sep '22

2022080008

22V482

N

Yes

Pending

No

Replace sticker col B , check tire load specs, replace if not conform

Original oad index 101H insufficient for the GVWR.

5

Transmission Screw Torque

July '18

2018070002

18v335

Y

Yes

July '18

5/21/2024

Link

Check torque (replace) of screws from transmission carrier to longitudinal member

Did you ever receive your letter? I just called MBUSA and they say it’s still pending and have no date for a remedy!

 

[Leemodern]

Did you ever receive your letter? I just called MBUSA and they say it’s still pending and have no date for a remedy!

Strangely I learned of the April letter when getting a service at an independent garage lately. He handed me a printout that included the attached text. I’m going to try to call a dealer and see what they say.

 

[pounce]

You can run your Vin to see if it applies to your van.

 

[Leemodern]

Has anyone here actually received a letter? It better still actually had the fix?

 

[focus805]

Has anyone here actually received a letter? It better still actually had the fix?

No letter here.

 

[FrancoVan]

Still no letter for me. I held out as long as I could, but had replace my tires this summer. Hopefully, when the recall letter does come, I can put off taking the van in for a couple of years while I get some life out of these tires.

 

[focus805]

TIRE RECALL UPDATE: Mid-November?

The delay in tire replacement has been explained on the NHTSA website as of 10/7 -- MB is blaming it on dealers ordering the wrong door jamb labels:

 

[pounce]

My interpretation is different. They made it too confusing for the shops so they accepted that and changed it. Or... They decided to pre-print labels.

 

[focus805]

My interpretation is different. They made it too confusing for the shops so they accepted that and changed it. Or... They decided to pre-print labels.

How could they not pre-print labels?

 

[pounce]

People make all sorts of bad decisions. Ai thankfully does as well.

 

[john m9999]

What is the status of this tire recall? 6 months ago or so I had seen my 2017 Metris listed under this recall, but now it doesn't come up when I put my VIN in to the Mercedes site. Is there a possibility these vehicles will be provided new tires? Any other info. out there? Mainly wondering to help me decide whether to start looking for new tires or wait a bit longer.

 

[focus805]

What is the status of this tire recall? 6 months ago or so I had seen my 2017 Metris listed under this recall, but now it doesn't come up when I put my VIN in to the Mercedes site. Is there a possibility these vehicles will be provided new tires? Any other info. out there? Mainly wondering to help me decide whether to start looking for new tires or wait a bit longer.

Check HERE. I'm not sure, but as of July 12, 2024, Daimler was trying to wriggle out of the recall altogether -- my VIN now shows no open recalls.

I think we've been shafted by NHTSA and Daimler. Calling NHTSA now --

As of October, Daimler says they've fixed 373 of 24,359 vehicles.

 

[focus805]

The Last Word:

There's only one word -- actually an acronym my WWII veteran Dad taught me -- to describe NHTSA and Daimler.

FUBAR

I called Daimler after NHTSA had nothing to report. Daimler now has no record of the recall ever being applicable to my vehicle! I had to read the 2022 letter I received (with my VIN) to the Daimler rep. Daimler actually called my dealer, who of course said they had no record of the recall (I am told). Daimler said that only NHTSA can add or remove vehicles to the recall (false as Daimler identified the affected vehicle population). They appear to have wiped this one nicely, leaving basically no footprints. I spent 15 minutes with NHTSA and over 50 minutes with Daimler. I asked how to escalate this within Daimler.

Sorry to report I really think we got hosed here. Somebody might minimize or rationalize the risk involved with undersized tires on a cargo van, but that doesn't change the very basic customer service fail this represents. As a very successful friend in the shoe business told it to me, "You hate to give a refund, but when you do, make sure it's with a smile." Daimler has failed both elements of this test.

As to NHTSA, let's just say they could do well by replacing their phone staff with Salesforce agentics.

 

[focus805]

UPDATE: CarFax (not Daimler) just sent me notice of tire and door jamb label availability. More importantly, the recall is back on the NHTSA site applicable to my VIN as of 12/9/24, just a few days after my immediately preceding rant.

Maybe Daimler is doing the right thing? Check your VIN if you have 255's.

 

[ManVan001]

UPDATE: CarFax (not Daimler) just sent me notice of tire and door jamb label availability. More importantly, the recall is back on the NHTSA site applicable to my VIN as of 12/9/24, just a few days after my immediately preceding rant.

Maybe Daimler is doing the right thing? Check your VIN if you have 255's.

View attachment 25815

I received the same notice from Carfax and confirmed that my vin is applicable. I plan on scheduling repair tomorrow with MB dealership. The anticipated fix of lowering the vehicle payload is very disappointing, I have already upgraded my tires and tend to push the current rated rear axle capacity just loading up the family and gear for vacation. I’m expecting the new rear axle weight rating pushes me to a bigger vehicle. If anyone has gone through the recall repair already please share details . I will report back with any new information once completed.