Fuel Hose Leak in Engine Compartment – 2017-2022 Mercedes-Benz Metris

March 8, 2022 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 22V134000

Fuel Hose Leak in Engine Compartment

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V134

Manufacturer Daimler Vans USA, LLC

Components FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Potential Number of Units Affected 42,132

 

Summary

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Mercedes-BenzeBay logo Metris vehicles. The connection of the upper and lower fuel hoses to the engine may be insecure, which can result in a fuel leak.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and repair the fuel hose connections, and replace the clamps and fuel hose, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 5, 2022. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA’s number for this recall is VS2KRAUCH.

 

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

 

Check for Daimler Vans Recalls


2022040011

Check and Replace Fuel Hose Clamps and Hose

This is to notify you of a Recall Campaign Launch to check and replace fuel hose clamps and fuel hose on approximately 42,073 MY17-22 Mercedes-BenzeBay logo Metris vans.  The recall campaign will be visible on the www.safercar.gov website and may generate questions from customers.  All affected VINs will be flagged as “OPEN” in VMI and cannot be sold until the recall has been completed.

 

Issue

Mercedes-BenzeBay logo AG (“MBAG”), the manufacturer of Mercedes-BenzeBay logo vehicles, has determined that on certain Mercedes-BenzeBay logo VS20 Metris vehicles (platform 447), the upper and lower fuel hose connections for the fuel lines on the M274 4-cylinder engines may not be securely attached, which in some instances could lead to minor fuel leakage at the upper connection that feeds the high-pressure fuel pump or lower connecting point of the transition hose, between the underbody fuel line and the Schrader valve. Fuel leakage in the presence of a potential ignition source within the engine compartment could create the risk of a fire.

 

What We’re Doing

MBUSA is conducting a voluntary recall. An authorized Mercedes-BenzeBay logo 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.

 

Parts

Parts are available

Given this notice, it is a violation of Federal Law for a dealer to sell or lease any new Metris vehicles in dealer inventory covered by this notification until the vehicle has been repaired.

Loaner and demonstrator vehicles may continue to be driven, but must not be retailed until repaired.

Additionally, given this notice, it is a violation of Federal Law for rental companies to rent new Metris vehicles covered by this notification until the vehicle has been repaired.

 


Attachment:

Chronology of Defect/Noncompliance Determination:

 

In March 2018, MB Vans received a preliminary evaluation (PE) information request from NHTSA regarding reports of fuel hose leakage in model year 2016 Metris vans. MB Vans’ analysis and evaluation in response to the PE did not identify evidence of a specific risk of fire or vehicle disablement related to the fuel line. Nonetheless, on November 27, 2018, MB Vans initiated a voluntary recall for Model Year 2016 to 2017 Metris (Platform 447) vans. The recall ID 18V-837 applied to Model Year 2016 to 2017 Metris (Platform 447) vans produced prior to March 15, 2017, when the production and equipment changes were made.

 

All Metris vans are originally produced in MB Vans’ Vitoria, Spain production plant. Vehicles intended for sale in the US are imported both as complete vehicles (“CBU”) and as component parts (semi-knocked-down or “SKD”). SKD components are reassembled into Metris vans at MB Vans’ Charleston, South Carolina production plant.

 

Following the recall, MB Vans received occasional, isolated, scattered customer complaints regarding fuel odor or fuel leaks involving Metris vans. These complaints were received sporadically between 2017 and 2020, but MB Vans did not identify any repeated or consistent variations from production specifications for the fuel hose connections. Nevertheless, MB Vans is continually focused on improving its production processes.

 

On May 19, 2020, MB Vans implemented in-line inspection and testing protocols for the fuel hose connections at its Vitoria and Charleston plants. The new measures included a tensile force verification test to ensure the fuel hose clamps were properly secured. MB Vans also conducted refresher training for employees involved in production and assembly of the fuel line, emphasizing correct use of tools required to properly secure the fuel hose clamps.

 

At the time when MB Vans implemented these quality check measures, a field analysis team identified four potential production process errors during the fuel line assembly in Vitoria or Charleston: (1) fuel hose not fully advanced over the upper or lower fuel line connection; (2) fuel hose clamp not positioned correctly over the fuel hose connection; (3) fuel hose clamp not closed correctly; or (4) wrong fuel hose clamp mounted. MB Vans believed that the in-line inspection and quality check, as well as the employee refresher training, addressed any production process errors.

 

MB Vans continued to receive sporadic complaints regarding fuel odor or leakage regarding Metris vans through the end of 2020 and in 2021. On October 27, 2021, MB Vans formally documented the in-line inspection and quality check procedures adopted in 2020, including the tensile force test, that are applied to all Metris vans assembled at the Charleston plant. On November 2, 2021, MB Vans documented the same further process measures at the Vitoria plant.

 

In each instance described above, MB Vans believed that the quality check procedures, employee refresher training, and other process measures implemented at the Vitoria and Charleston plants addressed any isolated quality errors during fuel line assembly. Following documentation of the process changes in the Charleston and Vitoria plants in October and November of 2021, MB Vans has not received any new complaints regarding fuel odor or leaks from the fuel line on Metris vans. Further, MB Vans has never received any reports of crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths in connection with the fuel line on Metris vans. However, because the process quality control measures were not successful prior to formal documentation in the Metris fuel line production process, MB Vans recognizes that step should have occurred sooner.

 

Accordingly, on March 2, 2022, in an abundance of caution, MB Vans determined that it could not rule out the risk of fuel leaks from the fuel hose connections on Metris vans in series production from March 15, 2017 until documentation of the process changes on October 27, 2021 (SKD vehicles assembled in Charleston) or November 2, 2021 (CBU vehicles imported from Vitoria). As a result, MB Vans will initiate a recall for affected Metris vans.

 


6 Affected Products

Vehicle

MAKEMODELYEAR
MERCEDES-BENZeBay logoMETRIS2017-2022

 


12 Associated Documents

Chronology Report

RMISC-22V134-5972.pdf 62.981KB

 


Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-22V134-2759.PDF 213.714KB

 


Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-22V134-8995.pdf 645.906KB

 


Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc) – March 2022

RCMN-22V134-3306.pdf 636.847KB

 


Recall 573 Report – March 22, 2022

RCLRPT-22V134-7716.PDF 213.813KB

 


Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)

RCMN-22V134-4683.pdf 1174.227KB

 


Interim Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RIONL-22V134-8713.pdf 135.579KB

 


ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-22V134-0429.pdf 381.298KB

 


Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2022-2

RCLQRT-22V134-0580.PDF 211.143KB

 


Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2022-3

RCLQRT-22V134-8087.PDF 211.243KB

 


Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2022-4

RCLQRT-22V134-1280.PDF 211.333KB

 


Amended Chronology of Defect/Noncompliance Determination

RMISC-22V134-6919.pdf 64.115KB

 


Latest Recalls Documents

 


 

Bestseller No. 1
20Pcs Adjustable Stainless Steel Hose Clamps Assortment Kit 1/4-2in(6-51mm)
  • Superb Material: Our adjustable hose clips are made of outstanding stainless steel material, which is high hardness, durable, not easy to rust, and non-corrosion characteristics. Our pipe clips with solid construction and exquisite craft, rust-free. It will always look new after a long time of use.
  • Perfect Hose Clips Set: The automotive hose clamps kit is flexible and ductile with a wide adjustable size range from 6 to 51mm. Contains 5 different sizes: 6-12mm,13-19mm,16-25mm, 21-38mm,27-51mm, 20 pcs in total, enough for your spare and replacement in daily life.
  • Easy to Use: The stainless steel pipe clamp adjustable hose clip kit is easy to use. Easy to loosen the screw of hose clamp by a screwdriver, then thread the pipe through the hose clamp and adjust the fit size, tighten the screw, also easy for beginners.
  • Wide Applications: The package includes 20 pcs adjustable hose clamps, and a storage box. Apply to securing hoses, pipe, cable, tube, fuel lines in-home applications, automotive, industrial, boat or marine, etc, meet your different needs.
  • 100% Satisfactory Service: The hose clamps assorted are strong and durable, which is also practical. The adequate quantity for you to use for different situations. If you have any problems when you use our hose clip clamps,we will definitely provide you with satisfactory service.
Bestseller No. 2
LOKMAN Stainless Steel Hose Clamp Assortment Kit- 60 Pieces, Adjustable 1/4''- 1-1/2'' (6-38mm) Worm Gear Metal Fuel Line Clamp for Plumbing, Automotive And Mechanical Applications
  • HIGH QUALITY- The whole hose clamp (including the band, housing and screw) are all made of premium heavy duty 304 stainless steel material. Salt resistant, anti rust, anti-corrosion, waterproof, oil-proof. Clamps are sturdy, strong and reliable.
  • WIDE ADJUSTABLE SIZE RANGE- Clamp assortment kit are flexible and ductile with assorted size: 1/4'', 3/8'',1/2'',3/4'',5/8''7/8'',1'',1.25'',1.5''. handy and fulfill your multi needs.
  • WIDELY USED- Clamps are used in securing hoses, pipe, cable, tube, fuel lines etc. Perfect to apply in automotive, industrial, boat/marine, shield, household etc. both indoor or outdoor.
  • ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY- It can be reused and recycle if you do not want them to stay on the original place due to the high quality material which makes them worked last for long.
  • Package: 60pcs stainless steel hose clamps assortment kit with 5 sizes. Packed in a durable handy case.
SaleBestseller No. 3
Hose Clamp- Qibaok 120 PCS Stainless Steel Hose Clamps Assortment Kit
  • Hose Clamps Stainless Steel: The buckle, band and screw of these metal clamps are all made of heavy duty 304 SS. Hose clamp kit has the features of corrosion-resistant, anti-rust, salt resistant, waterproof and oil proof. No longer worry about them rusting and breaking when used in indoor and outdoor places
  • Wide Adjustable Size Range: Total 120 pcs hose clamps assortment are flexible and ductile, range from 1/4 inch to 1-1/2 inch (6mm to 38mm). 20pcs 1/4'' to 7/16'', 20pcs 3/8'' to 5/8'', 20pcs 1/2'' to 3/4", 20pcs 5/8'' to 1'', 20pcs 3/4'' to 1-1/8'', 10pcs 3/4'' to 1-1/4'' and 10pcs 13/16'' to 1-1/2''
  • Worm Gear Hose clamps: With through hole process design, tight locking and high torque. Worm gear mechanism secure hold and smooth drive. Provide superior clamping power and safe sealing. Also the smooth edge design do not scratch to your hose
  • Easy To Install Small Clamps: The diameter of large and small hose clamps are marked on band surface for easy identification. Just need to use a socket wrench or screwdriver loosen the screw, then thread the pipe through the pipe clamp and adjust the size to fitting your hose's size and tighten the screw
  • Wide Applications: Our adjustable pipe clamps are used in securing and sealing hoses, pipes, plumbing, cable, tube, fuel lines etc. Perfect to apply in home, gas line, drip irrigation, garden sprinkler, pool, radiator, heater hose, truck repair, automotive, industrial, boat, marine, bilge, mechanical, electronic etc
SaleBestseller No. 4
TICONN 40PCS Hose Clamps Set 304 Stainless Steel, 1/4''–1-1/8'' Worm Gear
  • 304 Stainless Steel: This hose clamp is stamped from 0.023" thick 304 stainless steel with smooth band edges that grip securely without damaging the hose surface; Resistant to rust, corrosion, and salt, it performs reliably in automotive engine bays, coastal marine environments, and harsh outdoor conditions year-round
  • Worm Gear Locking: The slotted band and threaded screw mechanism allow you to dial in precise tension with a standard screwdriver, while the self-locking drive maintains a secure hold under vibration and pressure cycling; Once tightened on a fuel line or coolant hose, this small clamp remains secure through engine heat and road shock
  • Exact Size Match: The 40 pcs hose clamps assortment contains 5 different sizes: 1/4''–7/16'', 3/8''–5/8'', 1/2''–3/4, 5/8''–1'' and 3/4''–1-1/8'' with 8 pcs for each size, the width of the pipe clamps are 5/16''; Please measure your pipe OD before ordering to ensure a proper fit, and check the engraved size on the band for fast identification
  • Total Job Coverage: Tighten these clamps on automotive fuel lines and coolant hoses under the hood, secure garden hose connections at the spigot, or seal plumbing hose connections in a crawl space; The same corrosion-resistant band handles salt air on a marine vessel and grips HVAC condensate tubing in a utility closet
  • Labeled 40-Piece Kit: The hose clamp assortment comes in a storage box for easy organization and portability in a toolbox, garage shelf, or job-site carry bag; Each clamp is engraved with its size range so you can grab the right hose clamp without measuring, saving setup time on every installation
SaleBestseller No. 5
DLOUBLEIY 45PCS Hose Clamp Assortment Kit, Stainless Steel Worm Gear Clamps
1,129 Reviews
DLOUBLEIY 45PCS Hose Clamp Assortment Kit, Stainless Steel Worm Gear Clamps
  • 【High-Quality Material】This set includes 45 hose clamps, all made from premium 304 stainless steel, ensuring corrosion resistance and long-lasting durability. These stainless steel adjustable hose clamps are suitable for use in various harsh environments, providing enduring reliability.
  • 【Versatile Applications】Designed for a wide range of applications, these hose clamps are ideal for plumbing, automotive, and mechanical fields. They meet the needs of pipe clamps, fuel line clamps, and duct clamps, making them perfect for both home DIY projects and professional-grade applications.
  • 【Adjustable Size and Flexibility】This worm gear hose clamp set can be adjusted from 1/4'' to 1-1/8'' (6-29mm), demonstrating excellent flexibility and extensibility. It contains 5 different sizes, forming a versatile hose clamp assortment kit, adaptable to different usage scenarios and needs.
  • 【Efficient and Secure Performance】Featuring a worm drive design, these clamps ensure tight locking and high torque. Their worm gear mechanism provides a secure hold and smooth drive, offering superior clamping power and safe sealing.
  • 【Cost-Effective Set】The 45-piece set offers excellent value, whether you need multiple sizes for a single project or want to stock up on spare parts. Its comprehensive range of sizes and quantities can meet your diverse needs, especially suitable for automotive mechanical applications.

 


This product presentation was made with AAWP plugin.

Leave a Comment

Share to...