Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a known cardiovascular risk factor in the general population and is a common problem in renal transplant recipients (RTRs). This study investigated whether MS after renal transplantation affects long-term graft function. We included 112 RTRs who were transplanted at our center between 2000 and 2002. Patients with presence of pretransplant diabetes, non-stable renal function 1 year after transplantation were excluded. The parameters such as demographic features, medications, smoking, body mass index, daily proteinuria, blood pressure, number of HLA mismatches, number of acute rejection episodes, delayed graft function and laboratory parameters were evaluated. Patients were followed for a mean of 69.86 ± 21.94 months. The prevalence of MS was determined using the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) criteria. At one year after transplant 28.6% of RTRs had MS, whereas only % 10.7 had MS before transplantation. In 27.7 % of RTRs graft failure was occurred during the follow-up period and MS was more frequent in these patients compared to patients with stable renal function (51.6 % vs. 19.8 %, P= 0.002). Older donor age, delayed graft function, acute rejection, smoking, MS, proteinuria, creatinine level and C-reactive protein were associated with graft failure. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, patients with MS at 1 year after transplant had increased risk for graft failure (RR: 0.22; 95% CI: 0.06-0.75; P= 0.016). Older donor age and proteinuria level were other independent risk factors for graft failure. Metabolic syndrome is a prominent risk factor for graft failure in RTRs.Because MS is a cluster of modifiable risk factors, early identification of patients at risk an intervention in due time may improve graft survival.