Is the 2020 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 2500 reliable?

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 2500 has 132 complaints filed with NHTSA (4.6x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS problems.

What are common problems with the 2020 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 2500?

Top problems: DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS (23 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (21 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (18 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 2500?

Yes, there are 22 recall(s): SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LOCK, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES, BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA, STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS, BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:INTERNAL:PARK PAWL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL, STRUCTURE:CRITICAL FASTENERS, STRUCTURE:CRITICAL FASTENERS, STRUCTURE:BODY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL. Contact any Mercedes-Benz dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to insure a 2020 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 2500?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2020 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.

2020 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 2500

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 2500 has 132 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 4.6x the segment average of 29. The most common issue is driver assist/cameras problems (17% of all complaints), specifically: this feature is dangerous. when i drive this vehicle on a 2 lane highway with on coming trucks the "assist" pushes me into the oncoming trucks because it thinks i am drifting from my lane. i am trying to give the semi-truck a bit of space!*dt ask: let me turn this "feature" off permanently. it's . There are 22 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 5 crash reports

132

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

4.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

23 complaints

17%

• THIS FEATURE IS DANGEROUS. WHEN I DRIVE THIS VEHICLE ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY WITH ON COMING TRUCKS THE "ASSIST" PUSHES ME INTO THE ONCOMING TRUCKS BECAUSE IT THINKS I AM DRIFTING FROM MY LANE. I AM TRYING TO GIVE THE SEMI-TRUCK A BIT OF SPACE!*DT ASK: LET ME TURN THIS "FEATURE" OFF PERMANENTLY. IT'S
• THIS FEATURE IS DANGEROUS. WHEN I DRIVE THIS VEHICLE ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY WITH ON COMING TRUCKS THE "ASSIST" PUSHES ME INTO THE ONCOMING TRUCKS BECAUSE IT THINKS I AM DRIFTING FROM MY LANE. I AM TRYING TO GIVE THE SEMI-TRUCK A BIT OF SPACE!*DT ASK: LET ME TURN THIS "FEATURE" OFF PERMANENTLY. IT'S
• THE ACTIVE LANE ASSIST BRAKES TOO AGGRESSIVELY WHEN APPROACHING LANE LINES. SEVERAL TIMES IT HAS ACTIVATED UNDER SLICK CONDITIONS AND HAS INITIATED A SKID.*DT*JB

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

“THIS FEATURE IS DANGEROUS. WHEN I DRIVE THIS VEHICLE ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY WITH ON COMING TRUCKS THE "ASSIST" PUSHES ME INTO THE ONCOMING TRUCKS BECAUSE IT THINKS I AM DRIFTING FROM MY LANE. I AM TRYING TO GIVE THE SEMI-TRUCK A BIT OF SPACE!*DT ASK: LET ME TURN THIS "FEATURE" OFF PERMANENTLY. IT'S ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 2500

Based on 37 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 3K 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+

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

In line with typicalmedian 3K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 2K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 10K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 7K mi · 5 reports

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 (22)

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER21/12/2020

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles equipped with electric parking brakes. The rear brake calipers may leak brake fluid into the housing of the electric parking brake connected to the rear axle service brake system, allowing air to enter the hydraulic brake system.

Risk: Air in the brake system can result in extended brake pedal travel, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: DVUSA will replace the rear brake calipers, free of charge. Owners notification letters were mailed on January 4, 2022. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3BREPB.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2020 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 2020 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

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 132 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: THIS FEATURE IS DANGEROUS. WHEN I DRIVE THIS VEHICLE ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY WITH ON COMING TRUCKS THE "ASSIST" PUSHES ME INTO THE ONCOMING TRUCKS BECAUSE IT THINKS I AM DRIFTING FROM MY LANE. I AM TRYING TO GIVE THE SEMI-TRUCK A BIT OF SPACE!*DT ASK: LET ME TURN THIS "FEATURE" OFF PERMANENTLY. IT'S
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: MERCEDES HAS LOCATED A DASHBOARD DRINK HOLDER DIRECTLY ABOVE A VENT THAT OPENS TO THE STARTER ELECTRICAL MODULE AND CIRCUIT BOARD. THE DRINK HOLDERS ARE VERY SHALLOW, AND UNSTABLE. THE LOCATION ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DASH, NEXT TO A VENT THAT LEADS TO THE STARTER CIRCUIT BOARD IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: THE 4WD IN THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT DISENGAGE PROPERLY EVEN WHEN DONE PER THE OWNERS MANUAL INSTRUCTIONS. UNDER 1,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE . FOR EXAMPLE, I STOPPED THE VEHICLE, SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL, ENGAGED 4WD AND DROVE FOR 15-20 MINUTES ON A DIRT ROAD. I PULLED OVER TO ENJOY THE VIEW, PUT THE VEHICL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: MY BRAND NEW 2020 MERCEDES SPRINTER 2500 VAN JUST LIKE. EVERYONE ELSE'S ON THAT VEHICLE HAS A POWER STEERING HOSE THAT IS TOO SHORT. BECAUSE OF THIS A FAIR AMOUNT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS COME OFF AND ENDED UP STRANDED. WHEN IT COMES OFF YOU LOSE POWER STEERING. IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING IT COULD
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 22 recalls have been completed — free at any Mercedes-Benz dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)