Is the Dodge Grand-Caravan more reliable than the Mercedes-Benz Metris-Passenger-VAN?

Yes, by a large gap. The Grand-Caravan has a good reliability standing and the Metris a mixed one. The Dodge draws many more owner complaints, including transmission and engine failures. The Metris is held back by a heavy recall load and by repairs that owners say are delayed for lack of parts.

Which has more recalls, the Grand-Caravan or the Metris?

The Metris has far more. Federal recall records show 32 across five model years for the Metris, against 10 across three model years for the Grand-Caravan. Some Metris owners report open recalls they could not get fixed because dealers had no parts, so check the VIN before buying.

Does the Grand-Caravan have transmission problems?

Yes, it is a major complaint area. Owners describe shuddering, failure to shift, and holding one gear before the van lunges forward. Failures cluster between about 59,500 and 91,715 miles and usually end in a full replacement. Warning lights don't always come on beforehand.

What goes wrong with the Mercedes-Benz Metris-Passenger-VAN?

Most complaints involve unrepaired recalls tied to part shortages, in the fuel system, wheels, and tires. Individual owners also report engine hesitation, power steering assist cutting out without warning, and a rear tire blowout. One owner paid about $2,700 to replace a control unit damaged by moisture.

Which Grand-Caravan model year should I look at?

Start with the 2020. The data lists 2020 and 2018 as the strongest years and 2019 as the weakest. The 2018 appears on both lists, so treat it with care. Whatever year you pick, have a mechanic check the transmission and the sliding door latches.

Last updated: 2026-10-10

Dodge Grand Caravan vs Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Dodge Grand Caravan

Good

Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van

Mixed

Between the Dodge Grand-Caravan and the Mercedes-Benz Metris-Passenger-VAN, the Dodge comes out well ahead on reliability. The deciding fact is recalls: the Metris carries 32 across five model years, many left open for lack of parts, against 10 for the Dodge.

How Do the Dodge Grand Caravan and Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van Generations Compare?

Late-build vans are what you will find on the Dodge side. The 2018 to 2020 years sit late in the fifth generation, which began in 2008 and got a mid-cycle refresh in 2011. The design is old, so the problems owners report are well known. On the Mercedes side, the Metris belongs to the third generation, the W447, which began in US model year 2016. Its 2019 to 2023 years cover most of that run. A facelift followed in 2024, so a used 2019 to 2023 Metris is the pre-facelift van.

Verdict

The Dodge Grand Caravan is more reliable than the Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van, scoring 78/100 vs 58/100.

A large gap separates these two, and the Dodge is the more reliable van. Its standing is good, while the Metris sits at mixed. The deciding reason is the recall load: the Metris has 32 recalls across five model years, against 10 across three for the Dodge. Several Metris owners say repairs are stuck waiting on parts. The Dodge draws far more complaints, and its transmission and engine failures are costly, but its record is steadier overall.

Key Differences

1Dodge Grand Caravan has 22 fewer total recalls
2Dodge Grand Caravan scores 20 points higher in reliability
3Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van has 6.6 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

2Dodge Grand Caravan

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1Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Dodge Grand Caravan vs Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van: Which Is More Reliable?

Dodge Grand Caravan vs Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Dodge Grand Caravan	Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van
Reliability Score	78/100	58/100
Years Tracked	3	5
Total Recalls	10	32
Complaints per 10k Sold	7.1	0.5
Year Wins	2	0

What Are the Common Problems With the Dodge Grand Caravan and Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van?

The Dodge's trouble is mechanical and expensive. Transmissions shudder, hold one gear, then lunge, and often end in a full replacement. Sliding door latches seize shut. A cylinder 2 misfire points to low compression and a costly head repair. Front head restraints burst open without an impact. Power train has 4 crash-linked complaints and seats has 1. The Metris profile is thinner and centers on recalls. Owners wait on unavailable parts, and some report engine hesitation. Others report sudden loss of power steering assist, a rear tire blowout, and moisture damage to a control unit. None of its areas is marked crash-linked.

Dodge Grand Caravan vs Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van common problem areas comparison
Component	Dodge Grand Caravan	Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1.8Low	—None
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1Very Low	—None
POWER TRAIN	1Very Low	—None
STRUCTURE	0.9Very Low	—None
ENGINE	0.6Very Low	—None
SEATS	0.4Very Low	—None
AIR BAGS	0.3Very Low	—None
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES	0.2Very Low	—None
SERVICE BRAKES	0.1Very Low	—None
STEERING	0.1Very Low	—None
SEAT BELTS	0.1Very Low	—None
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	0.1Very Low
WHEELS	—None	0.1Very Low
TIRES	—None	0.1Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	—None

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

How Does Dodge Grand Caravan vs Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van Reliability Compare by Year?

Dodge Grand Caravan vs Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Dodge Grand Caravan	Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van	Edge
2020	83/1001R / 15C	54/1008R / 7C	Dodge Grand Caravan
2019	76/1005R / 247C	52/10012R / 8C	Dodge Grand Caravan

Best years to cross-shop: The 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan scored 83/100 and the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van scored 54/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.

Who Should Buy the Dodge Grand Caravan vs the Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van?

Pick the Grand-Caravan if you want a family van with a good reliability standing and a known cost to run. Check the transmission history and the sliding door latches before you buy, since reports cluster between roughly 44,000 and 91,715 miles. Ask whether the head restraints and the driver's seat wiring have ever been looked at. The data calls 2020 and 2018 the strongest years, and 2019 the weakest, so a 2020 is the safest place to start. Pick the Metris if you need a van with cargo or passenger space and can accept a mixed record. Its complaint count is very low for its sales, which helps. Its recall count is not low. Before you pay, run the VIN and confirm every recall has been completed, because owners report being stuck with open repairs and no parts. Steer toward 2022 or 2023, the strongest years in the data, but remember newer years have had less time to collect complaints. Avoid 2019 and 2020, the weakest.

Dodge Grand Caravan vs Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van: Common Questions

Is the Dodge Grand-Caravan more reliable than the Mercedes-Benz Metris-Passenger-VAN?: Yes, by a large gap. The Grand-Caravan has a good reliability standing and the Metris a mixed one. The Dodge draws many more owner complaints, including transmission and engine failures. The Metris is held back by a heavy recall load and by repairs that owners say are delayed for lack of parts.
Which has more recalls, the Grand-Caravan or the Metris?: The Metris has far more. Federal recall records show 32 across five model years for the Metris, against 10 across three model years for the Grand-Caravan. Some Metris owners report open recalls they could not get fixed because dealers had no parts, so check the VIN before buying.
Does the Grand-Caravan have transmission problems?: Yes, it is a major complaint area. Owners describe shuddering, failure to shift, and holding one gear before the van lunges forward. Failures cluster between about 59,500 and 91,715 miles and usually end in a full replacement. Warning lights don't always come on beforehand.
What goes wrong with the Mercedes-Benz Metris-Passenger-VAN?: Most complaints involve unrepaired recalls tied to part shortages, in the fuel system, wheels, and tires. Individual owners also report engine hesitation, power steering assist cutting out without warning, and a rear tire blowout. One owner paid about $2,700 to replace a control unit damaged by moisture.
Which Grand-Caravan model year should I look at?: Start with the 2020. The data lists 2020 and 2018 as the strongest years and 2019 as the weakest. The 2018 appears on both lists, so treat it with care. Whatever year you pick, have a mechanic check the transmission and the sliding door latches.

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More Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van comparisons

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Decided between Dodge Grand Caravan 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 Dodge Grand Caravan 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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