Freightliner Sprinter Complaints

88 consumer complaints on file.

#11452010February 15, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Transmission problem
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11451114February 9, 2022
ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR
The contact's boss owns a 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 2500. The contact stated that the wheel speed sensor wires were corroded. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and it was suggested that the vehicle be taken to another state, possibly New York or Pennsylvania for repair. The contact was concerned about driving the vehicle to another state for the repair and stated that it was too expensive to tow. The approximate failure mileage was 17,680. Consumer also have safety recalls #21V972, 21V152, 21V055, consumer is unable to have repaired Mercedes does not have any authorized service centers in NJ.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11442305December 1, 2021
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The contact owns a 2016 Freightliner Sprinter 2500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the rear wheels would brake independently; as the failure persisted, the ABS warning light would illuminate on the instrument panel. The contact called the dealer; however, they could not grant a soon enough appointment. The contact stated that as he was coming to a stop with his foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle independently accelerated as the contact slammed on the brake pedal. He was then forced to swerve out of the way of the vehicle in front of him as the vehicle continued to accelerate. The ABS fault warning light was then illuminated on the instrument panel as the vehicle returned to normal operation. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11421862June 22, 2021
LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
The Lane Keep Assistant (LKA) as implemented is a severe safety flaw. The LKA only take input from lane markers on the road but fails to consider other issues such as other vehicles or construction. Several times on my most recent drive on interstate highways at 70-80 mph I was passing large semi trucks. The trucks drifted out of their lane and into my lane. I took emergency evasive action to steer my vehicle out of the way of the semi truck but the Lane Keep Assistant (LKA) noticed I was out of my lane and aggressively steered my vehicle back into the other vehicle. Luckily I did not hit the other vehicle but the LKA made avoiding other vehicles more difficult and could contribute to a collision if the driver is not foreful enough to both steer out of the way of danger and to counter the steering control of the LKA. 1. This feature should not be allowed on vehicles as implemented. In my 30 years of the driving this is the most dangerous feature I have ever experienced. My vehicle is trying to kill me!! 2. This feature should have the ability to be set to "off" permanently or tied to a driver's profile settings to remain off while that driver is in control. Drivers should not have to remember to turn off the feature manually every time the car is started. 3. Driver's should have the ability to turn off steering control but still have the lane departure warning signal.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11418840May 28, 2021
STEERING
The lower power steering return hose came off while driving just outside Albuquerque, NM. My van had only 2861 miles on it. The clamps had been replaced due to factory recall by my dealer in Salt Lake City, UT prior to delivery to me, but the factory hose was still too short, and clamps still not adequate. I was able to put it on and drive it 30 miles to a Mercedes dealer in Albuquerque, where they put new clamps on, but they did not install a longer hose. They said factory hose was fine. I made it to Durango, CO (just 3-1/2 hour drive)and it started leaking again. Sprinter roadside assistance arranged to have it towed to the Salt Lake dealer and they replaced the hose with a longer one and installed double clamps and it is working great now. This should never have happened to begin with. I am thankful the steering did not go out while driving over the mountain passes!! They should include replacing the hose with a longer one, as well as with better clamps for the factory recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11405848March 31, 2021
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 N/A FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER VAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE SPEED, THAN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHUTTER AND THE CONTACT LOOKED THRU THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE VIEW MIRROR AND NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM EXHAUST. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND EXITED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WENT TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS NOTICED FLUID WAS SPILLING OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT WENT TO RECEIVE THEIR FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED FIRE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE AND STARTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE BUT DID NOT FULLY PUT OUT THE FLAMES. THE CONTACT THEN HAD HIS WIFE AND FOUR CHILDREN EXIT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND WAITED FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO COME TO THE SCENE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DID COME OUT AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE FULLY. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A NEAR BY TOWED LOT.THE CONTACT CALLED THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER TO HAVE THEM TOW THE VEHICLE TO THEIR LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED OF THE FAILURE BUT THE MANUFACTURER DECLINED DO THAT SO THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW IF THE VEHICLE DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS OR IF THE THAT TOWED LOT SCRAPPED THE VEHICLE FOR PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000. ## VIN PASSED ## SPRINTER (DODGE OR FREIGHTLINER) 2003 ##
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11398562March 1, 2021
SERVICE BRAKES, POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING USING CRUISE CONTROL, THE SPEED WAS INCREASING 15 MPH PAST THE SETTING. I WAS ABLE TO STOP BY USING THE BRAKE. THEN ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. AFTER THAT IT WOULDN'T SHIFT RIGHT, IT WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO A HIGH GEAR AND IT WOULD BE HARD TO GET MOVING FROM A STOP. I HAD TO DRIVE TO A DEALER SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES AND IT WAS QUITE HARROWING. OF COURSE THEY COULDN'T WORK ON IT FOR 3 DAYS SO WE RENTED A CAR TO GO BACK HOME 400 MILES. THE PROBLEM WAS A REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED IN LESS THAN 5 MONTHS, ONCE IN VIRGINIA WITH 36410 MILES ON IT AND AGAIN IN NEBRASKA WITH 40621 MILES. IT CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE SOMETIMES THERE IS NO SHOULDER AND CAN NOT DRIVE FAST ENOUGH FOR THE TRAFFIC BEHIND. THE PROBLEM BOTH TIMES WERE REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSORS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11388957January 20, 2021
WHEELS
I WORK FOR AN EXPEDITE TRANSPORT CARRIER. IN MY NOW CLOSE TO 3 YEARS DRIVING TWO SPRINTER 2500'S I HAVE HAD 7 OF THE 10 RIMS FAIL. IN EACH AND EVERY CASE THE SAME PROBLEM DEVELOPED. A HAIRLINE FRACTURE HAS THE RIM LOSING AIR NEAR WHERE THE VALVE STEM HOLE WAS PUNCHED. I MENTIONED 10 RIMS AS EVEN ONE OF THE TWO SPARES FAILED. IMHO THIS IS A CLEAR INDICATION THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT A WEAR AND TEAR THING. AFTER GETTING NEW TIRES LAST WEEK ALONG WITH A REPLACEMENT RIM I EXPLAINED MY PROBLEM TO THE TIRE TECHNICIAN. TO MY SURPRISE THEY FOUND A LEAK IN A RIM THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE REMOUNTED. THE OWNER OF THE TRANSPORTATION COMPANY I DRIVE FOR ALSO OWNS 3 MERCEDES 2500 SPRINTERS AND ALL 3 VEHICLES HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I HAVE NOW STARTED COLLECTING THE DEFECTIVE RIMS. I HAVE 3 ALONG WITH PHOTOS OF A 4TH SHOWING THE LIQUID STOP LEAK OOZING FROM A FRACTURE. THESE RIMS ARE NOT RUSTY AND THE TECHNICIANS THEORY IS THAT THE HOLE STAMPING PROCESS FOR THE VALVE STEM HAS LIKELY COMPROMISED THE INTEGRITY OF THE STEEL NEAR THE HOLE. I BELIEVE THAT THESE RIMS AHOULD BE REPLACED
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11389057January 20, 2021
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
COLOR INSTRUMENT CLUSTER INCLUDING COLOR DISPLAY BETWEEN THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER WILL NOT DIM AT NIGHT. THE RESULTING WASH OF LIGHT MAKES SEEING OUT THE SIDE MIRRORS OR ANYTHING AT NIGHT VERY DIFFICULT. VAN IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. MANUFACTURE CONFIRMS THE PROBLEM BUT HAS NO FIX.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11363739October 10, 2020
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AT 5,600 MILES, TRAVELING WEST BOUND ON I-68 IN WESTERN MARYLAND NEAR EXIT 62. SPRINTER DANGEROUSLY AND UNCONTROLLABLY ACCELERATED AND DECELERATED RAPIDLY SHIFTED GEARS. I SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND DRIFTED TO AN OFF RAMP. DASH LIGHTS INDICATED THREE PROBLEMS ABS, SWERVE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL. SHUT DOWN ENGINE AND RESTARTED - SAME RESULT. DISCONNECTED BATTERY THEN RECONNECTED - SAME RESULT. CONNECTED A SCANNER WHICH INDICATED RIGHT REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILURE. CONTACTED SELLING DEALER SHOP MANAGER AND WAS ADVISED THERE WAS NO WORK-AROUND AND STATED I SHOULD HAVE IT TOWED TO NEAREST FREIGHTLINER DEALER IN APPROXIMATELY 70 MILES AWAY. AFTER DRIVING VERY SLOWLY TO A SAFE AREA, I INSPECTED THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY AND NOTED TWO CONNECTORS ON EACH SIDE, CHECKED FOR TIGHTNESS AND INSPECTED THE WIRING FOR DAMAGE, BUT NONE OBSERVED. AFTER CHECKING BLOGS ON MY SMART PHONE, I DISCOVERED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SPRINTERS FROM 2010 TO 2017 AND COMMENTERS NOTED THAT MERCEDES STATES THE VENDORS CHANGED ALLOYS ON THE SENSORS AS THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE ISSUE. TYPICAL REPAIR COSTS WERE INDICATED TO BE $350 TO $400, AND MANY COMMENTERS STATED THEY HAD PAID FOR MULTIPLE SENSORS AND ONE COMMENTER STATED THE ABS MODULE WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY IN HIS CASE FOLLOWING SEVERAL SENSOR REPLACEMENTS. BOTTOM LINE, MERCEDES NEEDS TO OWN RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR FAILURE AND REPLACE ALL FOUR SENSORS WITHOUT COST TO THE OWNERS (AKA RECALL). THE DANGEROUS UNWANTED ACCELERATION COULD COST LIVES AND EXTENSIVE PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF SERVICE TFN AWAITING SELLING DEALER RESPONSE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11360505September 22, 2020
POWER TRAIN
DRIVER PARKED ON A HILL AND PUT THE VAN IN PARK. EXITED THE VEHICLE AND WAS OUT OF THE VEHICLE 15 SECS BEFORE HE HEARD A POP AND A GRIND AND SMELLED AN ODOR. HE TURNED AND WATCHED HIS VAN ROLL DOWN A HILL INTO TWO PARKED CARS. IT WAS PARK (STATIONARY) ON A CITY STREET AND UNOCCUPIED.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11355666September 17, 2020
STEERING
WHEN WE BOUGHT THE VAN NEW FROM THE DEALER, I ASKED THE DEALER ABOUT THE KNOWN POWER STEERING HOSE ISSUE. THE ISSUE IS THAT ONE OF THE POWER STEERING FLUID HOSES IS TOO SHORT & IT WORKS ITS WAY OUT OF POSITION UNTIL IT POPS OFF & FLUID SPRAYS OUT, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. I KNEW ABOUT IT BECAUSE THERE ARE MANY REPORTS ON THE INTERNET OF THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THIS ISSUE. I WENT BACK FOR SERVICE A YEAR LATER & SHOWED THEM THE HOSE SLIPPING OFF, THEY DID NOT CARE & DID NOTHING ABOUT IT. DESPITE ME DILIGENTLY CHECKING & REPOSITIONING THE HOSE WHENEVER IT STARTED TO SLIP OUT OF PLACE, WHICH WAS VERY FREQUENTLY, IT FINALLY POPPED OFF ON US WHILE WE WERE DRIVING ON A NARROW TWISTY HIGHWAY & WE LOST STEERING CONTROL. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE. IN THE ATTACHED PHOTO, TAKEN AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, YOU CAN SEE THE LOWER HOSE OUT OF POSITION, IT SHOULD BE WHERE THE UPPER HOSE IS RELATIVE TO THE METAL PIPE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11353145September 4, 2020
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 14 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MASTER WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN SLOWLY DRIVEN BACK TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF LOUISVILLE LOCATED AT 2520 TERRA CROSSING BLVD, LOUISVILLE, KY 40245, (502) 896-4411, AND THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V833000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 320,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11280094November 19, 2019
AIR BAGS
2008 FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS IN CONTACT WITH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER BUT, WAS UNABLE TO GET AN UNDERSTANDING IF THE VEHICLE HAD A RECALL AND WHAT DEALER WOULD BE WILLING TO COMPLETE. *JS *DT*DT *JS *JS *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11232510July 16, 2019
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND FUEL PRESSURE LOW WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EXCEL TRUCK GROUP OF COLUMBIA (2790 SHOP RD, COLUMBIA, SC 29209) AND WAS REPAIRED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DISCLOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,402. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE SENSOR WAS BAD AND HAD IT REPLACED AT THE TUNE OF $1455.41. THE CONSUMER WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIRS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11203348April 24, 2019
AIR BAGS
WE HAVE TRIED TO GET THIS RESOLVED FOR 2 YEARS THEY HAVE LOCAL DEALERS BUT THEY WILL NOT DO THE RECALL, SPRINTER WANTS ME TO GO OUT OF ATATE 150MILES AWAY TO GET THIS DONE IT SIMPLY IS UNREASONABL TO DO THIS I NEED SOMEONE TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11185506March 9, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LEFT TAILLIGHT WORKS ONLY SOMETIMES. AS RECALL ON PREVIOS RECALLS. LEFT TAILLIGHT SOMETIMES WORKS AND IS GETTING WATER IN SYSTEM. VERY DIM WHEN DOES WORK. *DT *AS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11151572November 14, 2018
ENGINE
OUR FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER 2500 2010 WITH LESS THAN 31K MILES HAS EXPERIENCED A CONDITION THAT HAS CAUSED THE MIL TO ILLUMINATE. THE ISSUE FROM THE DEALER IS THAT BOTH OF THE NOX SENSORS APPEAR TO HAVE FAILED. FROM ON LINE THREADS REGARDING THIS VEHICLE IT SEEMS THAT MB IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. THE ISSUE APPEARS TO BE DEFECTIVE CIRCUITS WITHIN THE NOX MODULE. MB MADE A CHANGE TO THE NOX UNITS AND MODULES TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE, YET THERE APPEARS TO BE NO TSB OR RECALL IN PLACE. THIS REPAIR COSTS APPROXIMATELY $1700.00 FOR BOTH NOX SENSORS/MODULES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11143869October 29, 2018
AIR BAGS
I WAS NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL BY MERCEDES. I CALLED THE PHONE NUMBER PROVIDED. MERCEDES GAVE ME THE PHONE NUMBER FOR MERCEDES BENZ OF SOUTHAMPTON TO REPLACE THE FAULTY AIRBAGS. I PROVIDED THEM WITH VIN NUMBER, THEY CONFIRMED THE RECALL, ORDERED PARTS, AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT. WHEN WE ARRIVED FOR THE APPOINTMENT (MORE THAN AN HOUR'S DRIVE AWAY) MERCEDES BENZ OF SOUTHAMPTON REFUSED TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG BECAUSE THIS IS A FREIGHTLINER VAN. MERCEDES BUILT THE VAN, MERCEDES INITIATED THE RECALL, MERCEDES SENT ME TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP HAD MY VIN NUMBER. NOW, I STILL HAVE THE DEFECTIVE, DANGEROUS AIRBAGS AND DON'T KNOW HOW TO GET THEM REPLACED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11121968August 23, 2018
TIRES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER 2500 EQUIPPED WITH ANTARES COMFORT A5 TIRES, SIZE: LT225/75R16 118/16S 10PR, DOT NUMBERS: KBU5114 (PASSENGER SIDE) AND KBU51214 (DRIVER SIDE). WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED BULGES IN THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRES. THE TIRES WERE CHANGED, BUT THE BULGES RETURNED IN BOTH TIRES. THE TIRES WERE NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE AND TIRE MANUFACTURERS WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,443. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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