2020 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 2500

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 2500 has 132 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.6x the segment average of 80. 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 . ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 5 crash reports

132

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

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

ELECTRICAL

21 complaints

16%

• 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.
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COOLANT WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF SPRINGFIELD (295 BURNETT RD, CHICOPEE, MA 01020) WHERE THEY DISCOVERED NO FAULT WITH TH
• BOUGHT VEHICLE 26 SEP 20 FROM GENERAL RV IN DRAPER, UTAH I WAS INFORMED OF THE WINNEBAGO REVEL 2ND ALTERNATOR RECALL NUMBER 162 HAD TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE I DROVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE LOT. SO, I WAS TOLD [PER MANAGER MIKE MALLORY] IT WAS COMPLETED ON OCTOBER 10TH AND THUS DROVE IT OFF THE LOT ON OC

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“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. ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

18 complaints

14%

• 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
• VEHICLE ACCELERATES UNCHARACTERISTICALLY SLOWLY UPON COLD START IN COLD TEMPERATURES / HIGH ELEVATION. MANY DOCUMENTED CASES IN PREVIOUS AND CURRENT MODEL SPRINTER WHICH USES THE SAME OM642 DIESEL ENGINE. HTTPS://SPRINTER-SOURCE.COM/FORUMS/INDEX.PHP?THREADS/71254/ THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE TIMES W
• I ONLY HAVE ABOUT 2200 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE BUT I HAVE NOTICED 3 TIMES THAT THE ELECTRONIC 4 WHEEL DRIVE ENGAGED BY ITSELF AS I WAS MOVING DOWN THE ROAD. YOUR ARE ONLY SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO ENGAGE THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE WHILE STOPPED. I NEVER NOTICED ANYTHING UNTIL I SAW THE RED LIGHT WHICH COMES ON WH

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

15 complaints

11%

• 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
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COOLANT WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF SPRINGFIELD (295 BURNETT RD, CHICOPEE, MA 01020) WHERE THEY DISCOVERED NO FAULT WITH TH
• VEHICLE ACCELERATES UNCHARACTERISTICALLY SLOWLY UPON COLD START IN COLD TEMPERATURES / HIGH ELEVATION. MANY DOCUMENTED CASES IN PREVIOUS AND CURRENT MODEL SPRINTER WHICH USES THE SAME OM642 DIESEL ENGINE. HTTPS://SPRINTER-SOURCE.COM/FORUMS/INDEX.PHP?THREADS/71254/ THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE TIMES W

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

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

12 complaints

• THE ACTIVE LANE KEEPING ASSIST IS HIGHLY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE PERMANENTLY DISABLED OR REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. I NARROWLY AVOIDED GETTING INTO A ACCIDENT. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE LEFT LANE AND HAD TO SERVE AROUND SOME DUMP ITEMS THAT FELL OF THE BACK OF THE TRUCK AHEAD. THE ACTIVE
• WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND PASSING UNDER A ROAD SIGN DESCRIBING THE NEXT EXIT, THE SPRINTER VAN AUTOMATIC CRASH AVOIDANCE KICKED IN, CAUSING THE VAN TO AUTOMATICALLY JAM ON THE BRAKES AND LOSE APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHILE CAUSING THE WHEEL TO PULL DECIDEDLY TO THE LEFT. THERE WERE NO VEHICLES IN F
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COOLANT WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF SPRINGFIELD (295 BURNETT RD, CHICOPEE, MA 01020) WHERE THEY DISCOVERED NO FAULT WITH TH

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“THE ACTIVE LANE KEEPING ASSIST IS HIGHLY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE PERMANENTLY DISABLED OR REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. I NARROWLY AVOIDED GETTING INTO A ACCIDENT. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE LEFT LANE AND HAD TO SERVE AROUND SOME DUMP ITEMS THAT FELL OF THE BACK OF THE TRUCK AHEAD. THE ACTIVE ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

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
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)