2018 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 2500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
14 owner complaints analyzed
9 distinct recall campaigns
10,250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 14 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 3 | 21.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 14.3% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 14.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 7.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 7.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Power Train: 3; Electrical System: 2; Engine: 2; Seat Belts: 2; Steering: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 4 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2020: 5; 2021: 2; 2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2024: 3; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11349245 · 2020-08-14 (August 14, 2020)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11349245 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11598099 · 2024-07-02 (July 2, 2024)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11598099 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11374151 · 2020-11-11 (November 11, 2020)
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?
Owner-reported narrative. 4,734 miles reported. Look up ODI 11374151 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11387713 · 2021-01-12 (January 12, 2021)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11387713 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11503321 · 2023-01-24 (January 24, 2023)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11503321 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11719801 · 2026-02-23 (February 23, 2026)
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 mileag…
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11719801 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11321880 · 2020-04-22 (April 22, 2020)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 4,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11321880 at NHTSA ↗