Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Complaints

760 consumer complaints on file.

#11515413April 4, 2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
At high altitudes and / or cold weather, the vehicle will not move at all until it runs for about 5 to 10 minutes. It starts and revs just fine in neutral, but once you put it into drive, the throttle completely stops responding. This is a well known issue that Mercedes has chosen to do nothing about. https://sprinter-source.com/forums/index.php?threads/111270/
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11515268April 3, 2023
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
At elevations above about 6,500ft, the Sprinter is essentially immobile or becomes intermittently unresponsive to the gas pedal when it is depressed. This happens routinely at elevation and has led to unresponsive acceleration while driving. The unresponsive accelerator has compromised safety when trying to pull out onto roads. This issue has occurred frequently to other Sprinter owners in similar conditions. No warning lights, lamps, or messages appear or are associated with this issue. This issue appears difficult to replicate at Mercedes dealerships/service centers as they are all below the affected elevation. When describing the issue to a MB service representative, I was told it was “normal”. Though an unresponsive accelerator should not be written off and discarded as normal when it has the easy potential to inflict harm its passengers.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11514446March 29, 2023
STEERING
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, he noticed fluid dripping from the vehicle. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, he noticed that the power steering hose was leaking. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V663000 (Steering) The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11513923March 27, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES
The contact's husband owns a 2021 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the brakes and brakes rotors were serviced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the brakes and brakes rotors were serviced for a second time. The contact stated the brake caliper had exposed out of the vehicle and the brakes were dragging. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 22,880.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11512377March 17, 2023
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated that on various occasions after coming to a stop at a traffic signal, the vehicle was stalling and shaking while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the engine revved loudly before accelerating. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer on various occasions; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to several unknown dealers for routine maintenance services, and the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 16,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11512185March 16, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for routine maintenance, the dealer determined that the rear driver's side brake caliper was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11511974March 15, 2023
VISIBILITY/WIPER
So I bought a brand new 2023 Mercedes Sprinter Build by Airstream Interstate 19. The front windshield visibility is very bad at night driving. The whole front of windshield has zig zag lines all over the glass for defrosting but those lines make on coming traffic lights very blurry. Driving during day time is normal. Driving during night time all lights look blurry, its kind of like driving with -2 or -3 prescription when looking out the windshield. I called airstream and they said windshield is part of mercedes item. I called mercedes knoxville and they said they have not heard anything like this before.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11511865March 14, 2023
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Engine throttle does not respond to input from accelerator pedal.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11511544March 13, 2023
AIR BAGS:SRS MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP/LIGHT, STRUCTURE
The contact is a fleet manager for a business which owns multiple 2019 Mercedes Benz Sprinter Vans. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the SRS warning light would remain illuminated due to the metal driver side seat frame tearing under the seat and also the driver side seat material becoming worn and open were the airbag is located. In addition the front driver side door would not secure when closed due to a faulty door hinge. The vehicle was take to the local dealer who diagnosed that occupant sensor and driver side door hinge was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact indicated that all nineteen vehicles in the fleet had been serviced for the same failures. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 68,154.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11511473March 12, 2023
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
The adaptive distance assist system shuts down if no vehicle is sensed for approximately 1.5 hours. The system typically will not re-engage until the vehicle is restarted with an object in front of the vehicle enabling the system to self confirm that the sensors are functioning properly. This is a defect as the system should never turn off due to lack of vehicle detection. A typical drive across west Texas or SW New Mexico makes this happen all the time.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11510007March 3, 2023
ENGINE
Driving at an elevation of 6,200' the check engine light illuminated with code P012C "Turbocharger/Supercharger Inlet Pressure Sensor Circuit Low". Shortly after the van went into "limp home" mode with no turbocharger input. Minimal acceleration. Almost resulted in accident since I couldn't safely re-enter highway at speed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11510013March 3, 2023
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was jerking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause of the failure was found. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number 22V796000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11509742March 1, 2023
CHILD SEAT:HARNESS RETAINER/CHEST CLIP
The contact, a car seat technician called to file complaint on behalf of the owner of an Inspired by Drive Safety Seat, Model Type: Spirit Plus, Model Number: CSS-2401M-SG, and manufactured February 2019. The safety seat was being utilized in a 2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. The contact stated that the safety seat harness was snug while strapping the child into the safety seat; however, the harness loosened once the child would move. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11508752February 23, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
We have a 2019 motorhome on a 2018 Mercedes Sprinter chassis. We are concerned about the wheel speed sensor failing. Three out of 4 sensors have already failed and been replaced on ours and Mercedes will not replace the 4th sensor until it fails. When this sensor fails it affects the ABS brakes and the braking distance is increased which can cause an accident. The cruise control is also affected and could increase speed on its own. The ESP can also be affected and can increase the risk of skidding and accidents. We have spoken to many other motorhome owners with the same chassis and they have also had problems with the sensors. Mercedes is aware of this problem and we feel they should replace all the sensors before they fail and cause a serious accident and injury or death. We would like to travel to remote areas of our country but haven't done so because there is no place to get the sensor replaced if it fails. We have spoken to Mercedes Benz of Sarasota FL and Mercedes Corporate and they are unwilling to do anything to replace the 4th sensor.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11507330February 14, 2023
POWER TRAIN
When switching gears from park into drive or reverse. There is a large knock coming from the Differential area. The knock was getting louder, and the vehicle did not drive as smooth kept getting worse with time. I took it to differential specialist. He diagnosed the problem as loose axle shafts and replace left and right side costing me close to $3000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11507050February 13, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VISIBILITY/WIPER
My transportation business invested in a Commercial Sprinter Van 2500 4x4 2022, that was purchase on November 19th, 2022. We use these cargo van to transport LTL throughout United States and Canada. On December 23rd, 2022 the vehicle was involved in an incident that almost resulted to death of the driver due to a faulty manufactured vehicle recently purchased through Mercedes Benz. After completing a drop off, the driver of the vehicle was on his way home for the Holidays. Driver was driving about 65 mph per the posted speed limit. At the time of the incident, he was driving among many 53 ft semi-trucks and other vehicles. While driving the newly purchased vehicle on December 23rd, 2022, the hood of the vehicle swung open without warning and completely smashed the windshield. There was glass every where from the impact of the vehicle's own hood flying open. The driver of the sprinter van was disabled now that his front view was blocked. The drivers of those 53 ft semi-trucks behind the Sprinter Van noticed the vehicle's abrupt condition and were able to avoid hitting the Sprinter Van despite the Sprinter Van's immediate reduction of speed. The sprinter van driver was able to pull over to the shoulder safely. Company had to pay to tow the vehicle over to a nearby Mercedes Benz Service Department with availability to take the vehicle in. On December 26th , 2022 the vehicle was admitted into the Service Department for windshield replacement and sensor alignment. After Mercedes Benz ran a diagnosis and completed an inspection they began replacing all nuts and bolts of the hood. The total cost of the repair was close to $25,000.00. Mercedes Benz refuses to give me the diagnostic and inspection report indicating what was found. I would hate for something similar to happen to anyone else. They may not be as lucky as my driver who would've lost his life had he not been quick enough to use his side mirrors as guides to pull over safely. I can also provide dashcam.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11506458February 9, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated that the SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) warning light would intermittently appear on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where a diagnostic test showed that the wires in the front driver’s side seat belt buckle were defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 49,587.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11505086February 2, 2023
ENGINE, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE FOLLOWING HAS BEEN SENT TO MERCEDES CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE All of the following has started happening since an exhaust recall was done by Mercedes. In September 2022, we were driving cross country to Denver Colorado and enough codes piled up in the background that we went into limp mode in the middle of 70 MPH highway traffic. This happened without warning and was an extreme safety concern. But I was lucky to be near an exit and already in the right lane. I reset these codes and finished going to Denver the next day. The two Sprinter dealers in Denver were backlogged several weeks; so we spent over $600 trying to troubleshoot the issues with Colorado Fleetworks, a qualified Sprinter specialist. He checked codes too; ran other diagnostics; replaced the fuel filter and air filter even though they had been done only 10,000 miles earlier; and performed a forced DPF regeneration. He also replaced the DPF pressure sensor. This work did not help change the daily multiple code problems. We had to reset them every day coming back from our trip. When we returned home we took it to the dealer. They confirmed the codes, reset them, and test drove it 25 miles. Since codes didn't return, they said, "There is nothing we can do if we don't witness active codes." I said, "How active do they have to be? I will have codes in the next 20 to 30 miles like I do every day I drive it." These never happened in the 6 years prior to the recall wok. Either the programming is confused, some of the new sensors are faulty, or something. A totally separate problem is the faulty factory crimps on the connector of the rail pressure sensor. This is a known defect; and we've had the exact same symptoms and code as noted in Xentry TSB MC-10135520-9999. The engine has actually cut off when turning into traffic a few times. This is an extreme safety concern.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11505240February 2, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Error Message: "Service Required: Do Not Shift Gears, Visit Dealer" The 2021 Sprinter Van indeed would not shift gears and I was stranded. I was finally able to be towed two days later to a Mercedes Benz dealership. The technician noted corrosion in the EIS unit and replaced. It appears to be a known problem with Sprinter vans with bulletin from Mercedes[XXX] due to condensation getting into this vital area. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11503321January 24, 2023
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
it grovernor at 7o mph which you can not pass. you can not go up some hills at the speed limit it will not idle it turn off all the time, to keep the van idling you have to put it in drive and put on the e brake and hope it does not move the back doors are always lock and when you unlock the back doors, the van turn off , in the cold months your passengers freeze. This may not sound like must to you but come and drive this van this could be a bad safety issue. this van is wrongfully and poorly engineer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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