2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500

Routine

Owners filed 14 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the vehicle speed control. It has been recalled 9 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Vehicle Speed Control2
000
Steering2
000
Seat Belts2
000
Power Train2
000
Engine2
000
Structure › Body1
000
Structure1
000
Engine and Engine Cooling1
000
Electrical System1
000

9 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, and Connections20V663000
Filed Oct 28, 202047,667 vehiclesDaimler Vans Usa, Llc

Defect. Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Mercedes Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The hydraulic power steering return line hoses may detach at their connection points under certain operating conditions, causing hydraulic fluid to leak.

Risk. The sudden loss of power steering assist and hydraulic steering fluid leaking onto the roadway may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy. DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will check the return line connections of the power steering system, correcting it as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2020. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this campaign is NV3LETULPE.

Equipment › Other › Labels20V156000
Filed Mar 18, 2020332 vehiclesDaimler Vans Usa, Llc

Defect. Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The spare tire label indicating the maximum speed may have not been affixed to the spare tire.

Risk. Without the label, an operator may be unaware of the maximum speed limit of the spare tire and operate the vehicle at a excessive speed, increasing the risk of tire failure and a crash.

Remedy. DVUSA will notify owners, and Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter dealers will attach the speed limitation label on the spare wheel, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2020. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3BEGREPP.

Equipment › Other › Labels20V155000
Filed Mar 18, 2020289 vehiclesDaimler Vans Usa, Llc

Defect. Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The spare tire label may indicate the maximum speed at 55 kilometers per hour (kph) rather than as 34 miles per hour (mph).

Risk. With only the metric speed listed on the spare tire label, the driver could misinterpret the kph as mph and operate the vehicle with the spare tire installed at higher speeds than the tire can withstand, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. DVUSA will notify owners, and Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter dealers will replace it with the label with the correct maximum speed information indicated in miles per hour, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2020. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3BEGRESS.

Unknown or Other19V693000
Filed Oct 2, 201919 vehiclesDaimler Vans Usa, Llc

Defect. Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Sprinter and Metris vehicles. The vehicles left the reassembly plant without the final quality inspection of safety-relevant parts or bolt connections, resulting in possible unknown safety risks.

Risk. Failure to identify loose safety related parts can increase the risk of crash and injury.

Remedy. DVUSA will notify owners, and vehicles will be returned to the reassembly plant for comprehensive inspection and, if necessary, corrective action, free of charge. The recall began November 15, 2019. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VSX566ZP25.

Air Bags › Air Bag/Restraint Control Module19V695000
Filed Oct 2, 20191,232 vehiclesDaimler Vans Usa, Llc

Defect. Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The airbag systems may not have been activated after vehicle production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Risk. An inactive airbag system can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy. DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to determine if the airbag systems have been activated, correcting them as necessary, free of charge. DVUSA issued owners an interim notification on November 22, 2019. The recall began February 10, 2020. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3AIRIGEL.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch19V665000
Filed Sep 18, 20195,626 vehiclesDaimler Vans Usa, Llc

Defect. Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The screw connection on the upper hood catch may have been improperly tightened. As a result, factors such as the vehicle's speed, wind resistance and road conditions may cause the hood to open while the vehicle is being driven.

Risk. A hood that opens while driving can reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the screw connection, tightening it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2019. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3HAUBOSS.

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear19V507000
Filed Jul 2, 20191,079 vehiclesDaimler Vans Usa, Llc

Defect. Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter 1500, 2500, 3500 and 4500 vehicles. The rear side windows may be single-pane safety glass instead of laminated safety glass.

Risk. In the event of a side impact crash or vehicle rollover, the fitted side windows may not adequately protect the rear occupants from being ejected, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy. DVUSA will notify owners, and Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner dealers will replace the single-pane safety glass with laminated safety glass., free of charge. DVUSA issued owners an interim notification on August 16, 2019. The recall began January 21, 2020. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3VERGLAS.

Unknown or Other19V222000
Filed Mar 20, 20197 vehiclesDaimler Vans Usa, Llc

Defect. Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Metris vehicles. The affected vehicles left the reassembly plant without the final quality inspection of safety-relevant parts or bolt connections, resulting in possible unknown safety risks.

Risk. Failure to identify loose safety related parts can increase the risk of crash and injury.

Remedy. DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will complete the final quality inspection, free of charge. The recall began May 17, 2019. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VSX566ZP25.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch18V743000
Filed Oct 24, 201876 vehiclesDaimler Vans Usa, Llc

Defect. Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2018 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The right side door latches may have been built with incorrect components. As a result, when the doors are electronically unlocked, the right-side doors may not be able to be opened from inside or outside of the vehicle.

Risk. In the event of a crash, if the right side doors cannot be opened, it could increase the risk of injury.

Remedy. DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the locks if necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2019. Owners may contact DVUSA at 1-877-762-8267.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Aug 6, 2026MD

SAFETY DEFECT REPORT & RECALL NON-COMPLIANCE: 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 (VIN: [XXX]) This complaint involves an uncorrected emissions system defect that causes a sudden, dangerous engine shutdown and low-speed countdown limp mode on live roadways, combined with manufacturer recall non-compliance by Mercedes-Benz USA and its authorized franchise dealer, Euro Motorcars Bethesda. The vehicle was brought to an authorized dealership under a mandatory manufacturer recall (Recall Campaign 2025070001 / ECU software update) at 108,575 miles, well within the legally mandated 10-Year / 120,000-Mile Extended Emissions Modification Warranty. Prior to the recall service, the vehicle suffered an abrupt EGR loop breakdown and threw active safety shutdown code P19DE00 (EGR Shut Off / Exhaust Gas Recirculation Limp Mode), placing the vehicle in a hazardous low-speed countdown state. Instead of opening a mandatory Star Support warranty override file to replace the failing physical EGR hardware while the asset was legally under-mileage, the dealership cleared the fault codes to quickly process and bill for the software recall update, pushing the commercial vehicle back onto public roadways with active component restrictions. Because the manufacturer's franchise network failed to properly execute the recall and process the manual hardware extension while under-mileage, the automated database now blocks the required fix based on current elapsed mileage (129,093 miles). The vehicle is locked

Electrical System
Filed Feb 23, 202640,000 milesAL

The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware of an electrical burning odor. Upon touching the steering wheel, the steering wheel was extremely hot. After the vehicle was driven, the steering wheel gradually cooled down. The owner expressed concerns that the air bag might inadvertently deploy due to the heat. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

Engine
Filed Oct 22, 202450,000 milesMT

The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the highway. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Mercedes Benz of Billings (3045 King Ave W, Billings, MT 59102); but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Steering
Filed Jul 2, 2024NV

The line for the automatic steering fluid blew. This was "repaired" Mercedes Benz during a recall but the repaired clamp did not hold. We lost the ability to steer the van easily which is dangerous to other vehicles. The problem was confirmed by the repair shop that we took it to. We did not have a warning light prior to the incident. It was instant, we lost all of the power steering fluid and instantly lost power steering.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 5, 202490,000 milesIL

The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH and attempting to accelerate, he heard an abnormal sound emanating from the engine compartment. After which, the vehicle lost significant motive power and was unable to accelerate above 45 MPH. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed failures with the EGR valve and EGR cooler. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 90,000.

Power Train
Filed Jan 24, 2023MS

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.

Seat Belts
Filed Dec 9, 2022CA

The driver's side seat belt is slow to retract or doesn't retract at all. Started back in May 2022, one month after the warranty expired with less than 20k miles on it. Originally, Mercedes Benz of El Cajon said they would fix, then declined. We called MBUSA and opened a ticket 2-33281290644 and they said set up the same repair with another local dealer and give them this ticket number. We did and after several delays by the second dealer, Mercedes Benz of San Diego, we were told MBUSA denied the warranty claim and that they could only fix it if we paid $749.49 which includes $298.80 for Labor, $418.27 for parts and $32.42 for taxes. This seems out of line and we are now more than 6 months away from the original complaint. No one doubts the problem of a bad seat belt, they just don't want to cover the repair. The mechanism to adjust the seat belt up and down is also broken, but I'm told that is not difficult to fix as they replace the belt.

Structure
Filed Aug 26, 202123,000 milesAZ

The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated that the air conditioning was draining into the interior cabin allowing moisture to the carpet, wall panels, and head liner. The RV was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the air conditioning seal was fractured and needed to be replaced. The RV was repaired 4 additional times however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the RV dealer. The contact was afraid of black mold appearing inside the cabin. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.

Power Train
Filed Jan 12, 20213,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY SHIFT INTO LIMP MODE INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND RESTART THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO RALLYE MOTORS (1600 NORTHERN BLVD, ROSLYN, NY 11576) WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Dec 17, 20204,734 milesNJ

FOLLOW UP TO COMPLAINT NUMBER 11374151. CAUSE DETERMINED: LEFT REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Nov 11, 20204,734 milesNJ

2018 MB SPRINTER PLEASURE WAY RV SUDDENLY ERRATICALLY ACCELERATED WHILE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY, ERRATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTING, MULTIPLE WARNING MESSAGES INCLUDING ESP, ABS, BLIND SPOT ASSIST INOPERATIVE, ASR/BAS SYMBOL APPEARED. AWAIT SERVICE APPOINTMENT. ?REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR?

Steering
Filed Aug 14, 20205,500 milesCO

THE PRESSURIZED LOWER POWER STEERING FLUID HOSE IS INADEQUATELY CLAMPED AT THE COOLER UNIT AND IS OF INSUFFICIENT LENGTH, RESULTING IN THE HOSE LOOSENING AND EVENTUALLY DISCONNECTING. THIS CAUSES A LOSS OF ALL POWER STEERING ASSIST. UPON THE ADVICE OF OTHER OWNERS WHO HAVE SUFFERED CATASTROPHIC STEERING LOSS, I INSPECTED THE LOWER HOSE CONNECTION IN MY DRIVEWAY AND FOUND IT HAD COME PARTIALLY DISCONNECTED. I HAD TO REATTACH THE HOSE AND SECURE IT WITH A TRADITIONAL WORM-STYLE HOSE CLAMP.

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 22, 20204,500 milesMA

SINCE SEPTEMBER OF 2019 WITH AROUND 4500 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, LOOSE BOLTS WERE FOUND THAT HOLDS UP FUEL TANK. SEVERAL DRIVESHAFTS (AKA PILOT SHAFTS) FAILED AND WERE REPLACED. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. SEVERAL TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THIS VEHICLE VIBRATES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. MERCEDES BENZ HAS MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS OVER 80 DAYS TO CURE THIS VIBRATION PROBLEM. PHOTOS WERE SENT TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT WAGNER MERCEDES BENZ ON 10/2/2019 SHOWING LOOSE BOLTS WHICH THEY SECURED FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 7400 MILES ON IT. I HAVE NOTICED RECALLS ON THE SPRINTER VANS BUILT AROUND THE SAME TIME WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. IT COULD BE POSSIBLE THAT THIS VEHICLE FELL THROUGH THE CRACKS.

Seat Belts
Filed Feb 24, 202015,000 milesCA

THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE RECEIVER ON THE DRIVER SIDE BREAKS VERY FREQUENTLY. THE CABLES ARE VERY THIN WITH SMALL GAUGE STRANDS SO THE STRANDS SHEAR AT THE INTERNAL MOUNT POINT ONE BY ONE UNTIL THE ENTIRE CABLE BREAKS. THIS HAPPENS OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERAL MONTHS. THIS VEHICLE IS A DELIVERY VAN AND THE SEAT BELT IS BUCKLED ON AND OFF MANY TIMES. WE HAVE 20 OF THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE AND IT IS HAPPENING ON MANY OF THEM.

14 of 14 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2020
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20252100Routine
202412410Routine
202317710Routine
202240700Routine
2021451800Routine
2020802210Routine
2019674240Routine
2018 — this page14900Routine
201713700Routine
2016281510Routine
2015231400Routine
201438640Routine
201321300Routine
20128200Routine
201114400Routine
201014600Routine
20091000Routine
20071100Routine

Compare every Sprinter 2500 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Oct 28, 2020. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.