Is the 2018 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 2500 reliable?

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 2500 has 22 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.8x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: SPEED CONTROL problems.

What are common problems with the 2018 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 2500?

Top problems: SPEED CONTROL (4 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (3 complaints, avg repair $500); STEERING (3 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2018 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 2500?

Yes, there are 9 recall(s): AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH, STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS. Contact any Mercedes-Benz dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to insure a 2018 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 2500?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 2500 is approximately $2,143/year (sedan-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2018 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 2500

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 2500 has 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.8x the segment average of 29. The most common issue is speed control problems (18% of all complaints), specifically: 2018 mb sprinter pleasure way rv suddenly erratically accelerated while in motion on highway, erratic transmission shifting, multiple warning messages including esp, abs, blind spot assist inoperative, asr/bas symbol appeared. await service appointment. ?rear wheel speed sensor?. There are 9 recalls issued for this model year.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

SPEED CONTROL

4 complaints

18%

• 2018 MB SPRINTER PLEASURE WAY RV SUDDENLY ERRATICALLY ACCELERATED WHILE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY, ERRATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTING, MULTIPLE WARNING MESSAGES INCLUDING ESP, ABS, BLIND SPOT ASSIST INOPERATIVE, ASR/BAS SYMBOL APPEARED. AWAIT SERVICE APPOINTMENT. ?REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR?
• FOLLOW UP TO COMPLAINT NUMBER 11374151. CAUSE DETERMINED: LEFT REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED
• it grovernor at 7o mph which you can not pass. you can not go up some hills at the speed limit it will not idle it turn off all the time, to keep the van idling you have to put it in drive and put on the e brake and hope it does not move the back doors are always lock and when you unlock the back

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“2018 MB SPRINTER PLEASURE WAY RV SUDDENLY ERRATICALLY ACCELERATED WHILE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY, ERRATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTING, MULTIPLE WARNING MESSAGES INCLUDING ESP, ABS, BLIND SPOT ASSIST INOPERATIVE, ASR/BAS SYMBOL APPEARED. AWAIT SERVICE APPOINTMENT. ?REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR?”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2018 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 2500

Based on 16 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 5K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (9)

AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE02/10/2019

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The airbag systems may not have been activated after vehicle production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Risk: An inactive airbag system can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to determine if the airbag systems have been activated, correcting them as necessary, free of charge. DVUSA issued owners an interim notification on November 22, 2019. The recall began February 10, 2020. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3AIRIGEL.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2018 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 2500

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$2,143

Full coverage / month

$179

Liability only / year

$710

vs US avg

+28%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$2143

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 2500 Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

10K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

40K mi

Engine coolant

150K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

40K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

40K mi

Service A / Service B alternating schedule. Requires MB-approved oil (229.5 spec typically).

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Mercedes-Benz New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

4 yr / 50K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 155K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

4 yr / 50K mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / unlimited mi

EQ EV battery warranty is 10 years/155,000 miles

These are the terms for a new Mercedes-Benz. If you're buying a used 2018 SPRINTER 2500, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Mercedes-Benz dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

SEATS/RESTRAINTS(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 22 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
SPEED CONTROL: 2018 MB SPRINTER PLEASURE WAY RV SUDDENLY ERRATICALLY ACCELERATED WHILE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY, ERRATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTING, MULTIPLE WARNING MESSAGES INCLUDING ESP, ABS, BLIND SPOT ASSIST INOPERATIVE, ASR/BAS SYMBOL APPEARED. AWAIT SERVICE APPOINTMENT. ?REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR?
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: SINCE SEPTEMBER OF 2019 WITH AROUND 4500 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, LOOSE BOLTS WERE FOUND THAT HOLDS UP FUEL TANK. SEVERAL DRIVESHAFTS (AKA PILOT SHAFTS) FAILED AND WERE REPLACED. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. SEVERAL TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THIS VEHICLE VIBRATES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ME
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: THE PRESSURIZED LOWER POWER STEERING FLUID HOSE IS INADEQUATELY CLAMPED AT THE COOLER UNIT AND IS OF INSUFFICIENT LENGTH, RESULTING IN THE HOSE LOOSENING AND EVENTUALLY DISCONNECTING. THIS CAUSES A LOSS OF ALL POWER STEERING ASSIST. UPON THE ADVICE OF OTHER OWNERS WHO HAVE SUFFERED CATASTROPHIC STEE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SEATS/RESTRAINTS: THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE RECEIVER ON THE DRIVER SIDE BREAKS VERY FREQUENTLY. THE CABLES ARE VERY THIN WITH SMALL GAUGE STRANDS SO THE STRANDS SHEAR AT THE INTERNAL MOUNT POINT ONE BY ONE UNTIL THE ENTIRE CABLE BREAKS. THIS HAPPENS OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERAL MONTHS. THIS VEHICLE IS A DELIVERY VAN AND TH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 9 recalls have been completed — free at any Mercedes-Benz dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)