2019 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 2500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
67 owner complaints analyzed
42 distinct recall campaigns
17,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2019 model year. Data snapshot: . 36 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 67 complaints (22.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 17 | 25.4% |
| Braking behavior | 14 | 20.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 10.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 10.4% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Steering | 15 |
| Power Train | 13 |
| Unknown Or Other | 9 |
| Service Brakes | 7 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 3 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 3 |
Steering: 15; Power Train: 13; Unknown Or Other: 9; Service Brakes: 7; Electrical System: 6; Engine: 5; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 3; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 24 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 24; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (24). 31 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 |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 14 |
| 2021 | 22 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2019: 1; 2020: 14; 2021: 22; 2022: 8; 2023: 7; 2024: 10; 2025: 3; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 7 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 11317084 · 2020-03-09 (March 9, 2020)
NEW PURCHASE 02-29-2020; THE MERCEDES SPRINTER 2500 THAT WAS UPFITTED BY AIRSTREAM INTO THE AIRSTREAM INTERSTATE NINETEEN. I DROVE ABOUT 60 MILES AND WHEN BACKING FROM A PARKING SPOT I FELT A SUDDEN GRAB/JOLT FROM THE RIGHT FRONT UNDERCARRIAGE AS IF BACKED OVER A DOG/CHILD. THANKFULLY NOTHING. THREE MORE TIMES THIS OCCURRED OVER TWO DAYS BUT W/O FINDING A CAUSE I CHOSE TO DRIVE 800 MILES TO SEATTLE FROM CALIFORNIA VIA I-5. ABOUT 40 MILES ENROUTE I WAS GOING 70 MPH ON A STRAIGHT, SLIGHT DOWNGRADE STRETCH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY GRABBED TO THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 130 miles reported. Look up ODI 11317084 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11341715 · 2020-07-27 (July 27, 2020)
THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SOME SORT OF WIND SHEER WARNING SYSTEM THAT DETECTS CROSS WINDS AND SUDDENLY SLAMS ON THE BRAKES, WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT. I WAS DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT ON I-40 IN ARIZONA AT 75 MPH ON CRUISE CONTROL, AND WAS PASSING A TRUCK IN THE LEFT LANE. IT WAS A SOMEWHAT WINDY DAY, BUT I WAS DEALING WITH THE WIND AS ANY NORMAL DRIVER WOULD DO, BY STEERING INTO THE WIND A BIT, AND DEALING WITH GUSTS AS THEY AROSE. AS SOON AS THE NOSE OF MY VEHICLE PASSED THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK, MY VAN SUDDENLY BRAKED WITHOUT WARNING. I D…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11341715 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11404417 · 2021-03-23 (March 23, 2021)
WE RUN A FLEET OF MERCEDES SPRINTERS AND WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED AN ISSUE THAT UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION MAY ROLL FREELY AFTER BEING PLACED INTO PARK. THE INDICATOR ON THE DASHBOARD SHOWS THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK, BUT AFTER 10 MINUTES OF IDLE TIME SOME VEHICLES WILL RELEASE FROM THE PARKING POSITION AND ROLL FREELY. WE HAVE MULTIPLIED THIS ISSUE ON 4 UNITS SO FAR. MERCEDES HAS REPLACED A TRANSMISSION ON THIS UNIT UNDER WARRANTY AND IT SEEMS TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM AT THIS TIME. THE SEQUENCE THAT IS REQUIRED TO DUPLICATE T…
Owner-reported narrative. 20,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 11404417 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11404893 · 2021-03-25 (March 25, 2021)
ROLLAWAY FROM PARK. IMPACT AT RIGHT REAR OF VEHICLE.*DT Consumer stated delivery driver had the vehicle on park and left the vehicle to deliver a package. While outside the vehicle, he heard a noise and vehicle began rolling downhill. As it rolled he heard a clicking noise (believed to be the parking pawl attempting to engage). We performed a joint inspection of the vehicle (VIN XXXXXX) with Mercedes. During the inspection, download of the ACM showed the engine was running at idle the whole time to the point of impact; operation of the transmi…
Owner-reported narrative. 37,798 miles reported. Look up ODI 11404893 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11402606 · 2021-03-12 (March 12, 2021)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V055000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT TURNED ON THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE GEARS HOWEVER, THE GAUGES FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS…
Owner-reported narrative. 43,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11402606 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11427071 · 2021-07-29 (July 29, 2021)
The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the MBUX multimedia system became inoperable resulting in the rear-view camera not functioning as designed. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 21V411000 (Electrical System, Back Over Prevention). The vehicle was diagnosed and repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11427071 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11348993 · 2020-08-13 (August 13, 2020)
LOWER POWER STEERING HOSE DETACHING FROM COOLER POTENTIALLY CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING. I HAVE 23 MILES ON THE VAN. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE ACROSS SPRINTER FORUMS.
Owner-reported narrative. 23 miles reported. Look up ODI 11348993 at NHTSA ↗