2019 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 4500
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 4500 has 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.2x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is driver assist/cameras problems (24% of all complaints), specifically: the lane assist and crosswind assist do not work properly. when a gust of wind hits you or when you're passing a semi, the van immediately forces your vehicle off the road or into the other lane where there is another vehicle or a concrete barrier. it's very difficult to hold onto the steering whee. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.
17
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.2x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS
4 complaints- • The Lane Assist and Crosswind Assist do not work properly. When a gust of wind hits you or when you're passing a semi, the van immediately forces your vehicle off the road or into the other lane where there is another vehicle or a concrete barrier. It's very difficult to hold onto the steering whee
- • The Lane Assist and Crosswind Assist do not work properly. When a gust of wind hits you or when you're passing a semi, the van immediately forces your vehicle off the road or into the other lane where there is another vehicle or a concrete barrier. It's very difficult to hold onto the steering whee
- • The Lane Assist and Crosswind Assist do not work properly. When a gust of wind hits you or when you're passing a semi, the van immediately forces your vehicle off the road or into the other lane where there is another vehicle or a concrete barrier. It's very difficult to hold onto the steering whee
“The Lane Assist and Crosswind Assist do not work properly. When a gust of wind hits you or when you're passing a semi, the van immediately forces your vehicle off the road or into the other lane where there is another vehicle or a concrete barrier. It's very difficult to hold onto the steering whee”
— NHTSA complaint filing
SPEED CONTROL
4 complaints- • Cruse control will sometimes disengage and display these error messages: "Active Distance Assist Inoperative" "Active Brake Assist Functions Limited See Operator's Manual" Cruse control kicks out and the power cuts off abruptly. After some variable time the cruise control function will work again
- • Cruse control will sometimes disengage and display these error messages: "Active Distance Assist Inoperative" "Active Brake Assist Functions Limited See Operator's Manual" Cruse control kicks out and the power cuts off abruptly. After some variable time the cruise control function will work again
- • The active distance assist inoperative appears when using the cruise control. This comes on when no traffic in front of the vehicle for 1 hour or less. Also Active Brake Assist functions limited - see operators Manual To reset: follow another vehicle for 5 minutes. This is Very Very Very frustr
“Cruse control will sometimes disengage and display these error messages: "Active Distance Assist Inoperative" "Active Brake Assist Functions Limited See Operator's Manual" Cruse control kicks out and the power cuts off abruptly. After some variable time the cruise control function will work again”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ELECTRICAL
3 complaints- • TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, THE WHEELS STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY, AND WITHIN 5 SECONDS, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST COMPLETELY FAILED. IT TOOK EXCESSIVE STRENGTH TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO SAFETY. MERCEDES-BENZ IS REFUSING TO COVER THE REPAIR ON THE 15-MONTH OLD VAN THAT HAS 43000 MILES ON IT.
- • The 2019+ Mercedes Sprinter EIS (Electronic Ignition System) module is bolted under the driver side dash board to the base of the A pillar where it meets with the firewall. The electrical connector of the module is pointing straight up - this is an issue because any liquids that might spill on the
- • The active distance assist inoperative appears when using the cruise control. This comes on when no traffic in front of the vehicle for 1 hour or less. Also Active Brake Assist functions limited - see operators Manual To reset: follow another vehicle for 5 minutes. This is Very Very Very frustr
“TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, THE WHEELS STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY, AND WITHIN 5 SECONDS, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST COMPLETELY FAILED. IT TOOK EXCESSIVE STRENGTH TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO SAFETY. MERCEDES-BENZ IS REFUSING TO COVER THE REPAIR ON THE 15-MONTH OLD VAN THAT HAS 43000 MILES ON IT. ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
TRANSMISSION
2 complaints- • ROLLAWAY FROM PARK. VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD AND COLLISION AT RIGHT FRONT.
- • At high altitudes (it's happened over 5000ft and not under that) while in 4x4 mode, the car occasionally just simply does not respond to throttle input while in drive. This is usually from a start while shifting from park or reverse into drive, but there is zero power which has now been dangerous a
“ROLLAWAY FROM PARK. VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD AND COLLISION AT RIGHT FRONT.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
OTHER
2 complaints- • Awning operation and lights are controlled by switchs in vehicle and/or app. Intermittently switchs will not work. Awing sometimes stutters when deployed. So far we have been able to fully retract. We have not taken to dealer since the symptoms are very sporadic.
- • I was driving and the vehicle began to smoke through the air conditioning vent and within 30 seconds flames of fire entered the vehicle and the vehicle was completely burned. I never received any recall regarding that malfunction and never saw any signal that this would happen. I almost caught in
“Awning operation and lights are controlled by switchs in vehicle and/or app. Intermittently switchs will not work. Awing sometimes stutters when deployed. So far we have been able to fully retract. We have not taken to dealer since the symptoms are very sporadic.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 17 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: The Lane Assist and Crosswind Assist do not work properly. When a gust of wind hits you or when you're passing a semi, the van immediately forces your vehicle off the road or into the other lane where there is another vehicle or a concrete barrier. It's very difficult to hold onto the steering whee
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SPEED CONTROL: Cruse control will sometimes disengage and display these error messages: "Active Distance Assist Inoperative" "Active Brake Assist Functions Limited See Operator's Manual" Cruse control kicks out and the power cuts off abruptly. After some variable time the cruise control function will work again
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, THE WHEELS STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY, AND WITHIN 5 SECONDS, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST COMPLETELY FAILED. IT TOOK EXCESSIVE STRENGTH TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO SAFETY. MERCEDES-BENZ IS REFUSING TO COVER THE REPAIR ON THE 15-MONTH OLD VAN THAT HAS 43000 MILES ON IT.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: ROLLAWAY FROM PARK. VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD AND COLLISION AT RIGHT FRONT.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 4500 — Year Comparison
How does 2019 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 17
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 2
- Crash reports
- 1
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2019 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 4500