Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Complaints

760 consumer complaints on file.

#11594217June 13, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Smog test failed California smog test due to the OBD 02 sensor (exhaust engine sensor) not being ready. Despite our efforts, including driving over 1000 miles and following Mercedes recommended drive cycle steps repeatedly, the issue persists. So far, we have contacted the Mercedes dealer several times, been told to drive the van around and given the Mercedes drive cycle instructions, but to no avail. Additionally, a customer case has been opened with Mercedes-Benz North America, only to be directed back to the dealership, where the vehicle remains with the unresolved issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11593949June 12, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Check engine light Nox sensor failure message
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11593062June 7, 2024
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
On long trips (when you need cruise control the most) the adaptive cruise control will (seemingly at random) stop working with a warning about the active distance assist and active brake assist. It has happened in all situations from heavy traffic to long distances of no other cars on the road. It stays non-functional for anywhere from a few minutes to several days. It has happened many times. The dealers are clueless. Saying nonsense like "I'm not aware of this problem." even though the Internet is filled with reports of the exact issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11591184May 29, 2024
SUSPENSION, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, STEERING
My issue is only the crosswind assist. We purchased this van new, it has 3000miles of use not driving to the dealership and back. We cannot drive this van on the freeway and due to this "safety" feature nobody but myself will get behind the wheel fearful of crashing when this turns on at 100% random times. Infact it went off 23times in an 18mile stretch the last time I drove it. I've contacted the customer service line 4 times. Nobody there has been any help and twice I've been hung up on. I've had it to the dealership 4 times for a total of 5 weeks. Finally the last time I refused to leave unless the test drove it. Which they did and lo and behold the tech walked in absolutely pissed because he just about got rear ended by a semi due to the crosswind assist. So, your own employees have experienced this and cannot fix it. I'm beyond irritated. 65,000$ service van I have paid on for a year, ins, custom racks, shelving, decals. Mercedes sold me on reliability and service. I own a van that will eventually hurt somebody. I am currently drafting legal docs to move this forward with the help of your own employees testimony. I'm done wasting my time Your vans are a death trap
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11590347May 23, 2024
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated while driving approximately 65-70 MPH, the hood unintendedly opened, striking the windshield. The contact pulled to the side of the road and became aware that the latch screws had detached; however, the latch was still welded to the vehicle. The contact was able to clamp the hood down with a ratchet. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V665000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The contact was referred by the Insurance provider to Safelite Auto Glass to have the windshield replaced. However, due to the damage done to the roof of the vehicle, the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle had not been repaired. The dealer was contacted and informed of the failure. The dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11589068May 16, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Mercedes has not issued a remedy for the recall in a timely manner and has not been able to issue a date when the remedy will be available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11588842May 15, 2024
SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS
Front Left Malfunction Warning Light came on randomly one day. There was an airbag symbol that appeared on the dash as well. The vehicle has not been in any collisions. Mercedes USA says seatbelt components are warranted against defects in workmanship and materials for 10 years, regardless of mileage. I called Mercedes USA and now they say it is not covered because we are past mileage limit and because we are past 3 years and don't have an extended warranty, they won't cover repair. Others have had this issue too listed on Sprinter-Forum where they have diagnosed it's from a cheap connector on the seats and unplugging the harness, adding dielectric grease, reset light, replace seatbelt solves the problem. This fix takes 30 minutes and they charge over $800 to repair. This seatbelt is original to the vehicle and if it's malfunctioning, this is a safety issue that should be addressed and covered for replacement or reimbursement if repairs have already been made. Some have noted that the shape of the seatbelt connector connection is causing this issue. Please keep me informed of progress with this. We will be paying $800 to fix this issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11588751May 14, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated when the vehicle started, the instrument panel failed to display properly, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact was concerned that the vehicle was hazardous to drive and could be severely injured if the instrument panel failed to display warning features as needed. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 91,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11588458May 13, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number 24V160000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the battery warning light had illuminated. The contact was instructed by the manufacture Jayco to not turn the vehicle off due to battery failure. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool showed no open recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11588231May 11, 2024
ENGINE
I was facing west in the left turning lane to turn south into my community. The vehicle lost power when I was cutting across oncoming, east bound traffic. The vehicle lost power two more time after that once I was in my community. No warning light or any other indicators. The vehicle just went limp. I almost didn't make it clear of oncoming traffic.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11588123May 10, 2024
POWER TRAIN
Noticed the driveshaft to my front differential is very close to falling out. Also rusting & flinging grease everywhere as it pulls out of its seating. This is an issue other owners have seen, with severe consequences when the driveshaft becomes complete unseated including sudden severe vibrations, loss of drive power, and potentially damaging steering components, brake lines/components, and electrical harnesses.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11586577May 2, 2024
STRUCTURE, VISIBILITY
The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger’s side bunk window detached and fell off. The contact stated that the window was a frameless window and was sealed with adhesive. The contact researched and discovered an unknown recall; however, the contact VIN was not associated with the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 9,100.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11585870April 29, 2024
TIRES:TREAD/BELT, TIRES
Tire size: 245/75 R16 LT 120/116Q Tire: Kumho Crugen HT51 I was driving on [XXX] and had only been driving about 30 minutes. I heard a sound and could see rubber from rear passenger side tire separating from the tire. I assumed I had a flat tire and immediately pulled over to the right shoulder of highway. When I stepped out I was surprised to see a lot of damage due to the tire tread separating and thrashing around on rear passenger side of vehicle. A small section of the rear corner bumper that included a small door panel to get to propane tank was completely gone. There was a jagged hole in another section of bumper as well. A small section of the body panel had been torn off and was laying by tire. Also, tire tread had damaged side of RV with black rubber markings and scratches. There are some small dents too. The tire was NOT flat, but the tread was almost entirely gone leaving the tire without any rubber tread. This is a 2020 Mercedes Benz Airstream Interstate 19. So this is an RV Camper Van. Had this been the front tire, I believe it would’ve resulted in an accident or injury. Vehicle & tires were inspected by Mercedes Dealership just last June 2023. I’m very concerned that the remaining tires will have the tire tread separate as well. These are the factory tires that were on my vehicle when purchased new. I purchased this vehicle with only 17,500 miles. Vehicle only has 27,473 miles on it now and has only been driven on streets or highways. Tires do NOT show any signs of cracking or dry rotting. I drive vehicle often for weekend trips. So it hasn’t set for any lengthy amount of time to cause damage to tires. I believe these tires are defective and that’s why the tread separated with tires only having about 27,500 miles on them. I believe these tires are rated for 70,000 miles. I’m hoping for an investigation into these tires as I strongly believe they are defective. 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
#11585583April 27, 2024
LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
Side wind assist is an absolute disaster. It triggers when passing semi trucks and immediately brakes the van and veers into the lane with the truck. This causes the truck to take evasive action and the cars behind to have to brake abruptly. It also will do the same without warning with both mild and strong side winds. It is so unpredictable as to be dangerous. MB is aware of the issue but denies any ability to address it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11584991April 24, 2024
STEERING, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
I was driving my van and out of nowhere it locked up and power steering malfunctioned. I was in NY at the time. Tried to get MB to help explain what was happening. Said they would send a Tech out. Found out they were going to send a tow truck and that was it. I had several pups on board and had to get them safe. So I figured out how to drive it with no power steering all the way back to Houston. While driving we got into some rain. Which for whatever reason the rain kicked the power steering on for just 5 or less seconds. This kept happening on and off while in wet road conditions. I was freaked out as the change made the steering go from impossible to beyond sensitive. We could have so easily flipped had I not been paying attention and driving at a slow speed. This also made all the safety features not accessible. No blind spot, cruise control, lane change or any of the important functions this van is equipped with. I would like to note that MB had to replace the engine due to a defect. Took 4 plus months. I have had issues ever since. Engine light came on all 4 of my trips. I know one that was the reason is VOX sensor. Fixed it and then happened next trip. Plus other sensors replaced. This van has been horrible! Bought it and was told they run up to 500k and these new engines they expect to see a million miles. I can’t even get it to 100k I called MB USA and started a complaint. They acted concerned and would contact me within 48 hours. Never to hear back from anyone. This was the same response when the engine malfunctioned. I was going to be given a loaner van and never heard or could connect with anyone.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11584859April 23, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Exhaust smells started coming through the air vents while driving, after the catalytic converter was changed. I discovered through my own inspection, that exhaust was leaking at the connection point between the catalytic converter and the turbocharger. The fumes were entering the airflow for the passenger cabin through the cabin air intake drain valve because it is in the engine compartment. I realized that this is pouring carbon monoxide into the cabin ventilation system.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11583867April 18, 2024
LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
The Cross Wind Assist feature on the Mercedes Sprinter is extremely flawed and dangerous. It is also the only assistance system you cannot disable. We have brought it up to Merceds Benz mechanics and dealers and they are aware of the issues, but say there is currently no fix from corporate. I have had the system activate hundreds of times on short windy drives. The last incident was driving through Nebraska from Omaha to the Colorado border. The system engaged 600-800 times. It was windy, but the danger wasn't the wind, it was the cross wind assist feature. When the system engages (which appears to be random at times) it brakes one of the front wheels in the direction opposing wind gusts. When this happens your front nose dips sharply in that direction and makes the van rock violently. It does this particularly when other cars or semi-trucks are passing. Sometimes it does it back to back as if the system is engaging to correct itself. It's truly dangerous. I don't know how they released a vehicle with this feature. I was hoping a brand new van of this quality would make long drives feel safer. My experience has been the opposite.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11581506April 6, 2024
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Mercedes Benz 3500 XL Sprinter motorhome, 2020 chassis. May 2023 MB did several recalls & software updates which MB USA headquarters said those changes could've affected the Cruise Control & Adaptive Cruise Control because these systems worked excellently until May '23, in my local MB Sprinter service. These systems have not worked more than 2% of the time. MB keeps changing items with no improvement. I told them to test on I-95 or The turnpike, as that's when we use it safely. Service tech said they're not allowed to test it there; we told them that's when it won't work, when we need it. Dozens of trips keep proving MB needs a permanent fix for the safety features we paid & need. I KEEP TRYING TO ADD MY 10 SECOND VIDEO CLIP BELOW BUT YOUR SITE WON'T TAKE IT. IT SHOWS the Cruise Control 3 blinking BLANK cursors on dash monitor where the mph Cruise miles #s setting should display. I showed this to my local MB service who sent video to MB USA HEADQUARTERS. Under my active Warranty they need to CHANGE the WHOLE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM. THESE bandaids are exhausting time & resources for all of us. Now their engineers say it could be the seat sensor. I've hamstring pain & need a seat cushion while driving. This EXCUSE is FAULTY like their FAULT CODES, as randomly I don't use my seat cushion & Cruise Control & thus Adaptive Cruise Control won't work. Thank you for your help! [XXX] 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
#11581440April 5, 2024
SEATS
Tether strap bar for a car seat was only tack welded on and snapped off when I tried attaching the car seat straps.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11581121April 4, 2024
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds with the stability crosswinds feature engaged in windy weather, the brakes independently activated without driver input, and the vehicle swerved and was uncontrollable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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