2020 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 3500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
13 owner complaints analyzed
22 distinct recall campaigns
2,850 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 13 complaints (38.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 30.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 23.1% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 15.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 7.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 |
| Communication | 1 |
| Electrical System:Adas | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
Electrical System: 5; Air Bags: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Back Over Prevention: 1; Communication: 1; Electrical System:Adas: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Exterior Lighting: 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 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 9 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 |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2021: 2; 2022: 6; 2023: 1; 2024: 2; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering 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 11461522 · 2022-04-20 (April 20, 2022)
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 - 80 MPH, the Crosswind Assist feature malfunctioned and was not able to be deactivated, causing the vehicle to abruptly brake and inadvertently turn the steering wheel. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4,900.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 11461522 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11497581 · 2022-12-15 (December 15, 2022)
The above are wouldn't allow me to place a check mark in the appropriate boxes. In the Standard Vehicle Components and ADAS sections, I was unable to check the boxes, but our vehicle contains ALL of the items in the first and second sections. The vehicle was dropped off at Lazy Days, Tampa on October 21, 2022 and so far they have been unable to provide an estimate or advise when we may receive our repaired motorhome. This dealer has a reputation for very poor follow-up. If you provide an email, I can send you the items to be checked. Despite…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11497581 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11442279 · 2021-12-01 (December 1, 2021)
The contact owns a 2022 Midwest Automotive Passage MD4 RV built on the chassis of a 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 21V410000 (Electrical System, Air Bags) and 21V411000 (Electrical System, Back Over Prevention). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the cruise control and Forward Collision Avoidance would not activate as needed. The dealer was made aware of the recalls but informed the contact that appointments were not available until March 2022. The vehic…
Owner-reported narrative. 125 miles reported. Look up ODI 11442279 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11483702 · 2022-09-09 (September 9, 2022)
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V360000 (Electrical System, Communication) 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 dealer was not made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11483702 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11624745 · 2024-11-12 (November 12, 2024)
We were driving on Rt. 32 north of Canaan Valley State Park in West Virginia. Suddenly the dashboard display began flickering on and off, displaying numerous multiple warning errors and alarms, and the windshield wipers began working and would not shut off. Turn signals would not function. Warning messages included instructions not to shift gears, lane keeping assist and automatic braking disabled, "Steering Malfunction", and many other errors. We have a partial video showing part on the incident. Dealer found evidence of corrosion on the …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11624745 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11759262 · 2026-08-24 (August 24, 2026)
This vehicle with 19711 mileage was parked in the driveway. The engine started normally, but a red error message stated, "Service Required Do Not Shift Gears Visit Dealer". I contacted the local dealership and Mercedes Roadside Assistance was not able to reset the software. The driveshaft was disconnected and two tow trucks were needed to pull the vehicle out of the driveway and then tow to the dealership. The technician found "internal electrical fault in ISM causing shifter not to come out of park". The electronic shifting unit was repla…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11759262 at NHTSA ↗