Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Complaints (2019)

116 consumer complaints on file.

#11404838March 25, 2021
SERVICE BRAKES
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 LARGE DELIVERY VEHICLE LIKE THE ONES THEY MANUFACTURE FOR AMAZON. THIS IS MY SECOND AMAZON BRANDED MERCEDES SPRINTER ACCIDENT ON DIFFERENT VEHICLES, WITH THE SAME EXACT FAULTY BRAKE OPERATING SYSTEM, THAT HAS HAPPENED IN SIX MONTHS. BEWARE OF 2019 AND 2020 BRAKE SYSTEMS INSTALLED ON MERCEDES SPRINTERS.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11404891March 25, 2021
POWER TRAIN
ACCIDENT ON 10/15/2020, UNOCCUPIED VEHICLE ROLLED FROM A PARKED POSITION DOWN A HILL AND STRUCK A HOUSE. THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT TO PARK WHEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS OPEN, AND THIS SYSTEM WAS FUNCTIONAL AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. DISENGAGEMENT OF THE PARKING PAWL WAS THE CAUSE OF THE EVENT.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11404893March 25, 2021
POWER TRAIN
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 parking pawl attempting to engage). We performed a joint inspection of the vehicle (VIN XXXXXX) with Mercedes. During the inspection, download of the ACM showed the engine was running at idle the whole time to the point of impact; operation of the transmission software to continuously shift to park when the driver’s door is opened was visually verified at the transmission inner manual lever; and the transmission was removed and disassembled to view the park pawl and ring gear. The ring gear had wear on the leading edge of the teeth consistent with contact with the parking pawl as it was attempting to engage. There was no injury or damage to the vehicle. It was taken to local dealer, who could find no reason for the roll away that had occurred. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11404894March 25, 2021
POWER TRAIN
ROLLAWAY FROM PARK. VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD AND COLLISION AT RIGHT FRONT.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11404417March 23, 2021
POWER TRAIN
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 FROM THE PARKING POSITION AND ROLL FREELY. WE HAVE MULTIPLIED THIS ISSUE ON 4 UNITS SO FAR. MERCEDES HAS REPLACED A TRANSMISSION ON THIS UNIT UNDER WARRANTY AND IT SEEMS TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM AT THIS TIME. THE SEQUENCE THAT IS REQUIRED TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE IS AS FOLLOW- THE VEHICLE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP AND IS PLACED INTO PARK ON A SLIGHT INCLINE. THE DRIVER HAS TO REMAIN IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT WITH THE SEAT BELT ON FOR A PERIOD OF 10 MINUTES. AFTER THE 10-MINUTE TIMEOUT THE BRAKE HOLD WILL RELEASE AND SLOWLY ROLL THE TRUCK PAST THE PARKING PAWL (AS IT APPEARS THAT IS WHAT IS HAPPENING) WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE VEHICLE MAY FREELY ROLL ANYWHERE BETWEEN 2FT AND CONTINUOUSLY IF NOT STOPPED BY PRESSING THE BRAKE. THE ISSUE IS NOT 100% REPRODUCIBLE EVERY SINGLE TIME SO IT MAY TAKE 2 TO 8 ATTEMPTS TO GET THE SAID OUTCOME. WE ARE NOT SURE IF THIS SYMPTOM CAN BE DUPLICATED IN ANY OTHER WAY AS OF THE TIME OF WRITING THIS. MERCEDES WAS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE US WITH AN ANSWER TO WHY SOMETHING LIKE THIS CAN HAPPEN. WE ALSO HAVE MULTIPLE VIDEO EVIDENCE SHOWING THE ISSUE IN QUESTION. WE WENT AS FAR AS TO RECORD THE LIVE DATA ON A MERCEDES DIAGNOSTIC TOOL TO SHOW THAT THE VEHICLES VALUES SHOW THAT IT THINKS IT'S IN PARK. WE HAVE 20 VEHICLES IN THIS CATEGORY AND WE SEEM TO HAVE NARROWED IT DOWN TO THE VINS ASSOCIATED TO DUSSELDORF, GERMANY PLANT WITH VEHICLE PRODUCTION DATES OF APRIL -2019. OUT OF THE 20 TRUCKS IN OUR FLEET 11 OF THOSE MEET THE CRITERIA AND WE WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM ON 4 OF THOSE UNITS SO FAR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11404373March 22, 2021
UNKNOWN OR 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. DRIVER AND TWO CHILDREN WERE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE JUST BEFORE IT BURST INTO FLAMES. HAD THE VEHICLE BEEN DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY AT THE TIME OR WASN'T BEING PARKED, THE VAN COULD HAVE BURNED OR KILLED THE DRIVER AND CHILDREN INSIDE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11402791March 13, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RUNNING, STATIONARY AND ON A LEVEL PAD AND ALL DOORS HAD BEEN ELECTRONICALLY LOCKED, THE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR OPENED WITHOUT ANY ACTION BY ME.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11402606March 12, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT TURNED ON THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE GEARS HOWEVER, THE GAUGES FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 43,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. ## VIN PASSED ## MERCEDES-BENZ 2019 ##
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11390987February 1, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
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 ISSUE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A FAILED ELECTRIC ACTUATOR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11378317December 7, 2020
SEAT BELTS
THE PASENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BARELY RETRACTS. IT SITS LOOSE. THIS SEEMS TO BE THE CASE WHEN THE SEATBELT IS NOT IN USE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11362197October 1, 2020
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, STEERING
THE VEHICLE HAS SOME EMERGENCY STEERING CONTROL THAT IS AUTOMATICALLY BUILT IN. IF YOU GO OUTSIDE OF THE LANES, IT NOT ONLY STEERS YOU BACK TO WITHIN THE LANES, BUT ALSO SLAMS ON THE BRAKES. IT IS AUTOMATICALLY ON. IT CAN BE SHIFTED OFF EVERY SINGLE TIME YOU START THE VEHICLE, BUT IT IS A DEFAULT SETTING. THIS HAS PROVEN TO BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN APPROXIMATELY 5 SITUATIONS WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, AND I JUST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FOUR MONTHS AGO. TO ILLUSTRATE IT: WE WERE DRIVING THROUGH A CONSTRUCTION ZONE. AT TIMES IN CONSTRUCTION/WORK ZONES, THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC FORCES YOU OUTSIDE OF THE LINES FOR SAFETY PURPOSES. HOWEVER, THE VAN TRIED TO FORCE US BACK "INTO THE LINES" MULTIPLE TIMES, IN CONSTRUCTION, AT NIGHT, WITH MANY OTHER VEHICLES. IT ACTUALLY FORCED OUR VEHICLE BACK ACROSS THE LINE AND INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC IN MULTIPLE SCENARIOS. THIS IS A CASE OF AN AUTOMATIC "SAFETY" SETTING GONE WRONG. IT IS HIGHLY, HIGHLY DANGEROUS TO HAVE IT AUTOMATICALLY DO THIS, WHETHER IT'S DUE TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, SAME DIRECTION TRAFFIC, CONSTRUCTION OBSTACLES OR EVEN SWERVING TO AVOID DEBRIS OR ANIMALS. THIS LANE ASSIST MUST BE DISABLED TO ALLOW FOR SAFE OPERATION OF THIS VEHICLE.*DT *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11360500September 22, 2020
POWER TRAIN
DRIVER PARKED VAN ON A HILL, PUT THE VAN IN PARK AND EXITED THE VAN. WAS OUT OF THE VAN FOR APPROXIMATELY 15-20 SECONDS. DRIVER HEARD A POP AND A GRIND. TURNED AND WATCHED HIS VAN ROLL DOWN A HILL INTO A HOUSE. INCIDENT WAS ON A CITY STREET IN A NEIGHBORHOOD. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.*DT *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11355040September 14, 2020
STEERING
THIS SAFETY INCIDENT REPORT APPLIES TO ALL 2019+ SPRINTER 1500/2500/3500 WITH THE 4X4 DRIVETRAIN (HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM), IT DOES NOT APPLY TO 2WD MODELS WITH ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING RACKS. THE UPPER POWER STEERING HOSE THAT CONNECTS THE PS RESERVOIR TO THE PS COOLING ELEMENT LOCATED AHEAD OF THE RADIATOR IN THE FRONT GRILLE IS SECURED BY A WORM DRIVE CLAMP AT THE RESERVOIR SIDE AND A SPRING CLAMP AT THE COOLING ELEMENT SIDE. THE LOWER PS HOSE THAT CONNECTS THE COOLING ELEMENT TO THE HARDLINE WHICH BOLTS IN TO THE HYDRAULIC STEERING RACK ON THE DRIVER SIDE IS SECURED WITH A SPRING CLAMP ON THE COOLING ELEMENT SIDE AND A SWAGED CONNECTION ON THE HARDLINE SIDE. THIS SAFETY INCIDENT IS SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS LOWER PS HOSE CONNECTION. THE HOSE IS TOO SHORT FROM THE FACTORY, AND IS TAUT BETWEEN THE COOLING ELEMENT SPRING CLAMP AND HARDLINE SWAGED CONNECTION. OVER TIME, WITH NORMAL DRIVING VEHICLE VIBRATIONS & ENGINE BAY HEAT CYCLING, THE LOWER PS HOSE WILL BACK OFF THE COOLING ELEMENT UNTIL IT FALLS OFF AND PS FLUID IS DUMPED IN THE ENGINE BAY. THIS MAKES THIS HEAVY FULL SIZE VAN INSTANTLY EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. HOSE BLEW OFF ON MY VAN AT 9500MILES ON THE ODOMETER, AS I WAS EXITING A FREEWAY ONTO A CURVING OFFRAMP. HAD I NOT BEEN AWARE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE I MIGHT NOT HAVE CAUGHT IT IN TIME... AT SPEED, ON A WINDING ROAD, WITH A CLIFF / DROP OFF NEARBY THIS COULD HAVE CATASTROPHIC RESULTS IF THE DRIVER IS NOT ABLE TO OVERCOME THE SUDDENLY VERY HEAVY STEERING EFFORT. THE SOLUTION IS A SIMPLE ONE. THE LOWER PS HOSE JUST NEEDS TO BE 1-2" LONGER SO THAT IT IS NOT TAUT BETWEEN THE TWO CONNECTIONS. TO DATE MERCEDES DEALERSHIPS HAVE ONLY REMEDIED TO THE PROBLEM BY ADDING A WORM DRIVE CLAMP IN PLACE OF THE SPRING CLAMP. THIS IS A POOR TEMPORARY FIX AND DOES NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE THAT THE HOSE IS SIMPLY TOO SHORT AS MANUFACTURED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11353595September 7, 2020
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
THE LANE KEEPING ASSIST ON THE MERCEDES SPRINTER 3500 IS UNSAFE. THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED WHEN YOU TOUCH A LANE MARKING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE AND SLOW DOWN RAPIDLY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11351237August 25, 2020
STEERING
POWER STEERING HOSE IS COMING LOOSE. IT IS ABOUT HALFWAY OFF. NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THE POWER STEERING HOSE COMING OFF COMPLETELY ON FACEBOOK GROUP FOR SPRINTER CAMPER VANS.THAT WAS THE ONLY REASON I SAW IT. THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO FIX WITH A STRONGER CLAMP BEFORE IT CAME OFF. WHEN THE HOSE DOES COME LOOSE IT RESULTS IN COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING. THIS IS A 8,000LB VAN. WOULD BE A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT IF IT HAPPENED AT THE WRONG TIME. LINK FOR REFERENCE: HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/GROUPS/WINNEBAGO4X4/PERMALINK/1587076018139245
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11350871August 24, 2020
ENGINE, STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE HOSE CONNECTING THE RESERVOIR HAD DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER CAROUSEL MOTORS (809 IA-1, IOWA CITY, IA 52244, (319) 354-2550) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE SAME CLAMP WAS REATTACHED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.*DT*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11350932August 24, 2020
STEERING
AS IS NOW COMMONLY BEING REPORTED WITH THESE VEHICLES, THE LOWER POWER STEERING HOSE CLAMP IS INADEQUATE AND THE HOSE IS SLIPPING OFF THE PUMP. THIS WOULD LEAD TO A TOTAL LOSE OF POWER STEERING. THIS WAS PURCHASED NEW AND NOW HAS 5000 MILES ON IT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11350296August 19, 2020
STEERING
POWER STEERING HOSE IS COMING OFF. LOWER HOSE ONLY. CHECKED THIS AS IT IS A COMMON COMPLAINT FILED BY OTHER WINNEABAGO REVEL OWNERS. OTHERS HAVE HAD THEIRS COME OFF COMPLETELY AND LOST THEIR POWER STEERING. I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THIS DID NOT HAPPEN TO ME ON THE MOUNTAIN ROADS I TRAVEL. HOSE IS TOO SHORT!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11349774August 17, 2020
STEERING
I BOUGHT MY WINNEBAGO REVEL 4 WEEKS AGO, 200 MILES WERE ON IT FROM THE DEALER, LAMESA RV IN PHOENIX, AZ. AFTER PUTTING 2,000 MILES ON IT, I WAS NOTIFIED BY MEMBERS OF A REVEL GROUP TO CHECK THE POWER STEERING HOSES, AS THE FACTORY CLAMPS DO NOT HOLD THE BOTTOM HOSE ON. WENT OUT, CHECKED THE HOSES AND THE BOTTOM HOSE HAD ALREADY STARTED BACKING OFF. THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH WINNEBAGO REVELS, AS I HAVE KNOWN OTHERS TO SUFFER FROM THE HOSE COMING OFF WHILE DRIVING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11349244August 14, 2020
STEERING
THE VEHICLE IS A WINNEBAGO REVEL RV BUILD ON A MERCEDES 4X4 SPRINTER. WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING HOSE DISCONNECTED FROM THE RADIATOR, DUMPED ALL THE POWER STEERING FLUID AND CAUSED ME TO LOSE STEERING. I WAS IN MOTION, DRIVING UP A WINDING GRAVEL MOUNTAIN ROAD WITH VERY SHARP CURVES. I WAS ABLE TO STOP AS I WAS TRAVELING AT LOW SPEED. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE MERCEDES SPRINTER, WELL-KNOWN TO THE WINNEBAGO REVEL 4X4 FACEBOOK GROUP. THE HIGH-PRESSURE HOSE IS TOO SHORT AND THE SPRING CLAMP INSUFFICIENT TO HOLD THE HOSE ON TO THE RADIATOR FITTING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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