Mercedes Benz SPRINTER 2500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
46 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
45,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 to 2015 model years. Data snapshot: . 21 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 46 complaints (26.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 15.2% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 8.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 6.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.2% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 12 |
| Engine | 7 |
| Service Brakes | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Wheels | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Power Train | 3 |
Air Bags: 12; Engine: 7; Service Brakes: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Wheels: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Power Train: 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 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 4
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 25 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 |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2025 | 8 |
2014: 2; 2015: 6; 2016: 2; 2017: 6; 2018: 7; 2019: 3; 2020: 1; 2021: 4; 2022: 2; 2023: 5; 2025: 8
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 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 11084997 · 2018-04-13 (April 13, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE MOVED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF MASSAPEQUA (101 EAST SUNRISE HIGHWAY, AMITYVILLE, NY 11701, [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE TIRES NEEDED AIR. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS WORKING AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIR…
Owner-reported narrative. 49,092 miles reported. Look up ODI 11084997 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11666918 · 2025-06-14 (June 14, 2025)
The right rear axle shaft assembly wheel bearing seal failed. The right rear ABS Sensor, aka (rotational Speed Sensor, wheel speed sensor) failed. These parts are available for inspection. The vehicle unexpectedly accelerated without me pressing the accelerator as I approached a red light at an intersection, putting my safety and others at risk. I had to slam on the brakes with all my might to get the vehicle to stop from going through the intersection. The road was wet, and the front wheels locked while the rear wheels continued to be driven b…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11666918 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11501311 · 2023-01-11 (January 11, 2023)
The electronic steering lock "jams". The only way to get the ignition to turn is to jack up the front tires to release the pressure on the wheels and jiggle the steering wheel while trying to start the car. Even doing this isn't instantaneous. Sometimes you have to physically wiggle the tires left/right while jiggling the wheel. This is well documented on Youtube/other internet sites. This has happened at least 6 or more times and has been taken into the Sprinter Dealer for repair. They couldn't replicate the issue and therefore did not…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11501311 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10706144 · 2015-04-16 (April 16, 2015)
CAR HAS BEEN DRIVING NORMALLY FOR SEVERAL MIN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WHILE STOPPED AT STOPLIGHT OR WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY THROUGH A PARKING LOT THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AND SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE DOES RESTART WHEN TURNED TO OFF POSITION AND RESTARTED. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE AFTERWARD AND VEHICLE DRIVES NORMALLY AFTER RESTARTING. HAS OCCURRED APPROX 10X OVER PAST FEW MONTHS. CONCERNING BECAUSE NOW IT IS OCCURRING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND RESULTS IN LOSS OF POWER, POWER STEERING AND ITS UNSAFE. CAR IS NEW AND STILL COVERED UNDER WARR…
Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10706144 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11206848 · 2019-05-10 (May 10, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ENGAGE IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER MERCEDES-BENZ OF RENO (11500 S VIRGINIA ST, RENO, NV 89511, [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER CHECKING THE OIL AND OIL FILTER, THE ENGINE FROZE WHILE DRIVING. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE…
Owner-reported narrative. 29,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11206848 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11194426 · 2019-04-07 (April 7, 2019)
THE VEHICLE HAD A LEAK THROUGH THE ROOF MOUNTED REAR A/C UNIT. THIS LEAK ALLOWS WATER INTO AN AREA WITH ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS AND ONTO PASSENGER'S. ONLY THROUGH A GOODWILL REPAIR WAS THIS REPAIR COMPLETED BECAUSE MY FACTORY WARRANTY IS EXPIRED AND MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WON'T COVER SUCH A REPAIR.
Owner-reported narrative. 59,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11194426 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11652614 · 2025-04-03 (April 3, 2025)
The contact's employer owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started in the morning, there was a small puddle of fuel pooling under the fuel tank lid. The contact was not aware of any warning light being illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the leak was from the fuel filler neck and the fuel filler neck needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTS…
Owner-reported narrative. 180,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11652614 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 0 |
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3 |
2012: 0; 2013: 0; 2014: 1; 2015: 3