NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Preliminary Evaluation PE18-002: Low Pressure Fuel Supply Hose Leak
- Closed
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened Preliminary Evaluation PE18-002 on March 13, 2018 and closed it on June 18, 2019. NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2016–2017 Mercedes Benz Metris for it and links recall 18V-837 to it.
Updated daily from NHTSA's investigations file
Key facts
- NHTSA number
- PE18-002 (also written PE18002)
- Investigation type
- Preliminary Evaluation The first stage of most defect investigations: NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation gathers basic information about a possible safety defect, including from the manufacturer.
- Status
- Closed June 18, 2019
- Opened
- Closed
- Vehicle or equipment manufacturers
- Daimler Vans USA, LLC; Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC - DBA Sprinter
- Component
- Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
- Recall linked by NHTSA
- 18V-837: Fuel Hose may Leak in Engine Compartment, reported
- Vehicles and equipment
- 2016–2017 Mercedes Benz Metris
NHTSA's summary
As NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation wrote it for Preliminary Evaluation PE18-002.
On November 27, 2018, Daimler Vans USA, LLC submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing two engine compartment fuel hose connection defects in certain model year (MY) 2016 and 2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris vehicles (Recall 18V-837).
The recall scope includes approximately 12,383 Metris vehicles manufactured from March 2, 2015 (SOP) to March 15, 2017.
The defects may result in leakage from an upper hose connection that feeds the high-pressure fuel pump or from a lower hose connection of the fuel transition hose between the underbody fuel line and the Shrader valve.
The upper connection defect was caused by thermal aging of the hose material (Veritas hose), resulting in a loss of elasticity over time.
The thermal aging of the hose leads to a progressive reduction of sealing performance, which is most evident at low ambient temperatures.
The problem was corrected by changing to a hose with better material properties (ContiTech hose).
The lower connection defect was caused by a manufacturing process problem, where the hose clamp may have been installed using an incorrect tool.
The recall remedy involves replacing the upper and lower hoses and clamps, as necessary, and ensuring proper installation. The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE18-002 to investigate nine (9) complaints (VOQs) reporting incidents of gasoline odor or leakage in nine (9) model year (MY) 2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris vans (subject vehicles).
Eight (8) of the VOQs indicated that the problem occurred in cold ambient temperatures, either during engine warm-up after a cold start or after the vehicle had been parked and shutoff. Two (2) of the consumers have indicated to ODI that the problems were diagnosed by dealer service technicians as the upper hose connection defect.
As part of PE18-002, ODI analyzed information related to the incidents reported to the Office by consumers and analyzed the information provided by Daimler Vans in response to ODI's information request letter.
The fuel hose leak field experience shown in the Failure Report section of this resume all involve vehicles covered by the Daimler Vans recall.
This Preliminary Evaluation is closed with recall 18V-837.
VOQs associated with the investigation: 10936026, 10936184, 10991876, 11054491, 11057992, 11063437, 11063829, 11104437, 11138922, 11139024, 11140844, 1150262, 11152201.
Vehicles and equipment listed for this investigation
NHTSA's investigations file lists these vehicles and equipment for Preliminary Evaluation PE18-002. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. Model years with a try.vin recall page link to that page's NHTSA investigations section.
Mercedes Benz
All Mercedes Benz recallsWhat an NHTSA investigation is
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) looks into possible safety defects in vehicles and equipment, often after owner complaints. An investigation usually starts as a Preliminary Evaluation, or as a Recall Query when it concerns whether an existing recall covers the right vehicles or fixes the problem, and ODI can upgrade it to a more detailed Engineering Analysis. A Defect Petition asks NHTSA to open an investigation, and Audit and Equipment Queries are administrative investigations into whether companies complied with federal vehicle safety requirements, such as reporting, recall and certification rules.
An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
To see whether a specific vehicle has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Mercedes Benz VIN check: decode a VIN to see its year, make and model.
Sources
NHTSA's investigation record for PE18-002
Investigation details come from NHTSA's investigations file, which try.vin imports once a day. The investigation types are described from the U.S. Department of Transportation Inspector General's May 2023 report on NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation, NHTSA's petition rules (49 CFR Parts 552 and 557) and NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation procedures. How try.vin reads NHTSA investigations.