Last updated: 2026-10-10

Chrysler Pacifica vs Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van: Reliability Compared

On reliability, the Chrysler Pacifica comes out ahead of the Mercedes-Benz Metris-Passenger-VAN, with a good standing against a mixed one. The Pacifica draws far more complaints, including fires and steering loss. The Metris has few, many tied to recall parts shortages.

How Do the Chrysler Pacifica and Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van Generations Compare?

The Metris sits entirely in its third generation (W447), which ran in the US from the 2016 model year through 2023. A facelift followed in 2024. Every Metris year on this page, 2019 to 2023, belongs to that one generation, so you are choosing between years of the same basic van. The earliest of those, 2019 and 2020, are the weakest, and the final years, 2022 and 2023, are the strongest. Because the 2024 facelift came after 2023, any 2019 to 2023 van you shop is a pre-facelift example.

Verdict

The Chrysler Pacifica is more reliable than the Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van, scoring 65/100 vs 58/100.

Reliability favors the Pacifica by a clear margin. Its standing is good, while the Metris rates mixed. Independent repair-cost data puts the Pacifica at about 0.4 unscheduled shop visits a year. The Pacifica still has serious complaints, including fires, steering assist loss, and head gasket failures on the 3.6L V6. The Metris draws far fewer complaints, but its standing stays mixed, and many filings concern recall repairs stalled for lack of parts.

Key Differences

  1. 1Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van has 35 fewer total recalls
  2. 2Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van has 26.5 fewer complaints per 10k sold
  3. 3Chrysler Pacifica scores 7 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

1Chrysler Pacifica
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2Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van
Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Chrysler Pacifica vs Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van: Which Is More Reliable?

Chrysler Pacifica vs Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van at-a-glance reliability comparison
MetricChrysler PacificaMercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van
Reliability Score65/10058/100
Years Tracked95
Total Recalls6732
Complaints per 10k Sold270.5
Year Wins41

What Are the Common Problems With the Chrysler Pacifica and Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van?

Mechanical and often dangerous failures define the Pacifica's complaint record. Owners report vans surging in reverse or drive, hard shifts, head gasket failures, electrical fires, sudden stalls, power steering cutting out, and a brake pedal that goes hard while the van creeps. Powertrain, electrical, steering, and brake complaints all include crash-linked reports. The Metris profile is thinner. Owners describe sputtering and power loss, a rear tire blowout, two power steering assist losses, and a control unit ruined by moisture. Many of its filings are about recall repairs that cannot be done because parts are missing. The data gives no crash counts for the Metris.

Chrysler Pacifica vs Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van common problem areas comparison
ComponentChrysler PacificaMercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van
POWER TRAIN6.5Average—None
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6.4Average—None
ENGINE3.5Average—None
STEERING2.5Low—None
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2Low—None
SERVICE BRAKES0.9Very Low—None
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM0.6Very Low—None
AIR BAGS0.5Very Low—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL0.5Very Low—None
SEATS0.4Very Low—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION0.3Very Low—None
STRUCTURE0.3Very Low—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM0.2Very Low—None
SUSPENSION0.1Very Low—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE0.1Very Low—None
FUEL SYSTEM—None0.1Very Low
WHEELS—None0.1Very Low
TIRES—None0.1Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER—None—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

How Does Chrysler Pacifica vs Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van Reliability Compare by Year?

Chrysler Pacifica vs Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van year-by-year reliability scores
YearChrysler PacificaMercedes-Benz Metris Passenger VanEdge
202365/1008R / 148C70/1000R / 0CMercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van
202262/1006R / 284C57/1005R / 9CChrysler Pacifica
202157/1006R / 355C55/1007R / 1CChrysler Pacifica
202064/1005R / 201C54/1008R / 7CChrysler Pacifica
201960/1009R / 352C52/10012R / 8CChrysler Pacifica

Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica scored 65/100 and the 2023 Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van scored 70/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.

Who Should Buy the Chrysler Pacifica vs the Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van?

Pick the Pacifica if you need a family hauler and want the stronger overall standing. Its repair costs are modest and shop visits are infrequent. Skip 2018 and 2021, its weakest years. Models from 2025 and 2026 rank strongest, but they have had less time to collect complaints, so treat that as a partial picture. Before buying any Pacifica, ask whether the engine, steering, and electrical systems have had problems, because those areas carry the crash-linked complaints. Pick the Metris if you want a van with very few owner complaints and can accept a mixed standing. Target 2022 and 2023, its strongest years, and avoid 2019 and 2020. Check the recall status on any Metris before you pay. Several owners were stuck with open recalls because parts were unavailable, which can hurt resale and rental use. Ask for the service history on power steering and the electronic control unit, since one owner paid about $2,700 for that repair.

Chrysler Pacifica vs Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van: Common Questions

Is the Chrysler Pacifica more reliable than the Mercedes-Benz Metris-Passenger-VAN?
Yes, the Pacifica has a clear edge. Its reliability standing is good, while the Metris is rated mixed. The Pacifica also has far more owner complaints, including fires and power steering loss, so the edge does not mean it is trouble free. Check the specific model year before you buy.
Which has more recalls, the Pacifica or the Metris?
The Pacifica has more. Federal recall records show 67 recalls across 9 model years for the Pacifica and 32 across 5 model years for the Metris. Always check the VIN for open recalls, since some Metris owners could not get repairs done for lack of parts.
Which costs less to repair?
Only the Pacifica has repair-cost data here. Independent figures put its annual repair cost at $647, with about 0.4 unscheduled shop visits a year. No comparable figure is available for the Metris, so a cost comparison is not possible. One Metris owner reported paying about $2,700 for a moisture-damaged control unit.
What are the worst problems on the Chrysler Pacifica?
Powertrain and electrical complaints lead the list. Owners report surging in reverse or drive, hard shifts, and fires, some while a plug-in hybrid charged. Head gasket failures on the 3.6L V6, power steering cutting out, and a hard brake pedal also appear. Powertrain, electrical, steering, and brake complaints all include crash-linked reports.
Is it a problem if a Metris has an open recall?
It can be. Several owners say dealers could not finish recall repairs because parts were unavailable, sometimes for months. Fuel system complaints describe sputtering and power loss at highway speed. An open recall can also make the van harder to sell. Ask the seller for proof that all recall work is complete.

Decided between Chrysler Pacifica and Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.

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How we score the Chrysler Pacifica and Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van

Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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