2019 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 2500

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2019 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 2500 has 95 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.2x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is steering problems (16% of all complaints), specifically: new purchase 02-29-2020; the mercedes sprinter 2500 that was upfitted by airstream into the airstream interstate nineteen. i drove about 60 miles and when backing from a parking spot i felt a sudden grab/jolt from the right front undercarriage as if backed over a dog/child. thankfully nothing. three. ⚠️ 5 fire reports filed.

5 fire reports 13 crash reports 3 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

STEERING

15 complaints

16%

• NEW PURCHASE 02-29-2020; THE MERCEDES SPRINTER 2500 THAT WAS UPFITTED BY AIRSTREAM INTO THE AIRSTREAM INTERSTATE NINETEEN. I DROVE ABOUT 60 MILES AND WHEN BACKING FROM A PARKING SPOT I FELT A SUDDEN GRAB/JOLT FROM THE RIGHT FRONT UNDERCARRIAGE AS IF BACKED OVER A DOG/CHILD. THANKFULLY NOTHING. THREE
• THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SOME SORT OF WIND SHEER WARNING SYSTEM THAT DETECTS CROSS WINDS AND SUDDENLY SLAMS ON THE BRAKES, WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT. I WAS DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT ON I-40 IN ARIZONA AT 75 MPH ON CRUISE CONTROL, AND WAS PASSING A TRUCK IN THE LEFT LANE. IT WAS A SOMEWHAT WINDY
• THIS AFTERNOON (2020-08-09) THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM ON MY VAN FAILED. NO WARNING, NO WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH. JUST A SUDDEN DESIRE TO NOT WANT TO GO ROUND A CORNER AND PLOW STRAIGHT ON JUST AS I WAS ENTERING A TWISTY MOUNTAIN CANYON WITH PRECIPITOUS DROPS (LEE HILL DR, BOULDER, CO). LUCKILY I W

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

“NEW PURCHASE 02-29-2020; THE MERCEDES SPRINTER 2500 THAT WAS UPFITTED BY AIRSTREAM INTO THE AIRSTREAM INTERSTATE NINETEEN. I DROVE ABOUT 60 MILES AND WHEN BACKING FROM A PARKING SPOT I FELT A SUDDEN GRAB/JOLT FROM THE RIGHT FRONT UNDERCARRIAGE AS IF BACKED OVER A DOG/CHILD. THANKFULLY NOTHING. THREE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

14 complaints

15%

• IT IS BRAND NEW VEHICLE AND WHILE DRIVING A STRANGE SOUND IS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE, I WENT BACK TO DEALER AND I WAS TOLD IT IS AN MANUFACTURING DEFECT ON DRIVER SHAFT AND BEARINGS. NO PARTS AVAILABLE SO FAR AND THEY REFUSE TO GIVE ANOTHER NEW VEHICLE, THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE LOAN VEHICLE EITH
• WE RUN A FLEET OF MERCEDES SPRINTERS AND WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED AN ISSUE THAT UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION MAY ROLL FREELY AFTER BEING PLACED INTO PARK. THE INDICATOR ON THE DASHBOARD SHOWS THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK, BUT AFTER 10 MINUTES OF IDLE TIME SOME VEHICLES WILL RELEASE
• ROLLAWAY FROM PARK. IMPACT AT RIGHT REAR OF VEHICLE.*DT Consumer stated delivery driver had the vehicle on park and left the vehicle to deliver a package. While outside the vehicle, he heard a noise and vehicle began rolling downhill. As it rolled he heard a clicking noise (believed to be the parki

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

“IT IS BRAND NEW VEHICLE AND WHILE DRIVING A STRANGE SOUND IS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE, I WENT BACK TO DEALER AND I WAS TOLD IT IS AN MANUFACTURING DEFECT ON DRIVER SHAFT AND BEARINGS. NO PARTS AVAILABLE SO FAR AND THEY REFUSE TO GIVE ANOTHER NEW VEHICLE, THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE LOAN VEHICLE EITH”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

11 complaints

12%

• SPRINTER VAN CAUGHT FIRE BURNING UP THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. VAN WAS SERVICED A WEEK PRIOR TO FIRE FOR AN ISSUE WITH THE A/C BY MERCEDES BENZ OF JACKSONVILLE. VAN WAS DRIVEN DAILY AFTER SERVICE APPOINTMENT AND BEGAN TO SMOKE. ONCE IT WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT (CHURCH/SCHOOL LOT) IT BURST INTO FLAMES
• THE DELIVERY DRIVER PLACED THE VAN IN PARK ON A HILL AND ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE. WHILE THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING THE DELIVERY DRIVER TOOK A MINUTE OR TWO TO LOCATE HIS PACKAGE AND PROCEEDED TO STEP OUT OF THE DRIVER DOOR WHILE THE VAN WAS STILL RUNNING. JUST AS HE WAS STEPPING OUT
• Smoke was seen coming from the a/c vents inside the vehicle. Soon after, a small fire was seen coming from the passenger side engine hood vent. The fire spread to the rest of the van by the time the fire department arrived.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 3 fire reports💥 3 crashes

“SPRINTER VAN CAUGHT FIRE BURNING UP THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. VAN WAS SERVICED A WEEK PRIOR TO FIRE FOR AN ISSUE WITH THE A/C BY MERCEDES BENZ OF JACKSONVILLE. VAN WAS DRIVEN DAILY AFTER SERVICE APPOINTMENT AND BEGAN TO SMOKE. ONCE IT WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT (CHURCH/SCHOOL LOT) IT BURST INTO FLAMES”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

9 complaints

• NEW PURCHASE 02-29-2020; THE MERCEDES SPRINTER 2500 THAT WAS UPFITTED BY AIRSTREAM INTO THE AIRSTREAM INTERSTATE NINETEEN. I DROVE ABOUT 60 MILES AND WHEN BACKING FROM A PARKING SPOT I FELT A SUDDEN GRAB/JOLT FROM THE RIGHT FRONT UNDERCARRIAGE AS IF BACKED OVER A DOG/CHILD. THANKFULLY NOTHING. THREE
• THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND IN PARK. THE BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. IT ROLLED BACKWARDS DOWN A HILL ON TOP OF SOMEONE'S CAR AND COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE. UPONE MORE INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE MERCEDES 2019 SPRINTERS ARE MADE WITH FAULTY PARKING PRAWLS INSTALLED IN THEM NOT FIT TO HOLD A L
• OCTOBER 12 2020, VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND IN PARK. DRIVER WAS NOT IN VEHICLE AND OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE MAKING DELIVERY. MERCEDES SPRINTER ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO SOMEONE'S CAR, COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 6 crashes

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

8 complaints

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V055000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR TH
• The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the MBUX multimedia system became inoperable resulting in the rear-view camera not functioning as designed. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 21V4
• The main display screen in the unit has failed, which means the following is no longer functional: Reverse camera (rearview camera image) ; Traction control settings ; Lane Departure system settings ; Door lock settings ; Vehicle lighting settings

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V055000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR TH”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 95 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
STEERING: NEW PURCHASE 02-29-2020; THE MERCEDES SPRINTER 2500 THAT WAS UPFITTED BY AIRSTREAM INTO THE AIRSTREAM INTERSTATE NINETEEN. I DROVE ABOUT 60 MILES AND WHEN BACKING FROM A PARKING SPOT I FELT A SUDDEN GRAB/JOLT FROM THE RIGHT FRONT UNDERCARRIAGE AS IF BACKED OVER A DOG/CHILD. THANKFULLY NOTHING. THREE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: IT IS BRAND NEW VEHICLE AND WHILE DRIVING A STRANGE SOUND IS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE, I WENT BACK TO DEALER AND I WAS TOLD IT IS AN MANUFACTURING DEFECT ON DRIVER SHAFT AND BEARINGS. NO PARTS AVAILABLE SO FAR AND THEY REFUSE TO GIVE ANOTHER NEW VEHICLE, THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE LOAN VEHICLE EITH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: SPRINTER VAN CAUGHT FIRE BURNING UP THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. VAN WAS SERVICED A WEEK PRIOR TO FIRE FOR AN ISSUE WITH THE A/C BY MERCEDES BENZ OF JACKSONVILLE. VAN WAS DRIVEN DAILY AFTER SERVICE APPOINTMENT AND BEGAN TO SMOKE. ONCE IT WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT (CHURCH/SCHOOL LOT) IT BURST INTO FLAMES
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: NEW PURCHASE 02-29-2020; THE MERCEDES SPRINTER 2500 THAT WAS UPFITTED BY AIRSTREAM INTO THE AIRSTREAM INTERSTATE NINETEEN. I DROVE ABOUT 60 MILES AND WHEN BACKING FROM A PARKING SPOT I FELT A SUDDEN GRAB/JOLT FROM THE RIGHT FRONT UNDERCARRIAGE AS IF BACKED OVER A DOG/CHILD. THANKFULLY NOTHING. THREE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)