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U.S. public vehicle records

2011 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 2500: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

14 owner complaints analyzed

4 distinct recall campaigns

20,386 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 14 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior17.1%

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.

Air Bags
4
Unknown Or Other
3
Electrical System
2
Engine
2
Structure
2
Engine And Engine Cooling
1
Fuel/Propulsion System
1
Power Train
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags4
Unknown Or Other3
Electrical System2
Engine2
Structure2
Engine And Engine Cooling1
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Power Train1

Air Bags: 4; Unknown Or Other: 3; Electrical System: 2; Engine: 2; Structure: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Power Train: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
7
25,000 to 49,999
4
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
1
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0007
25,000 to 49,9994
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9991
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 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). 2 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.

2013
2
2014
4
2015
4
2017
3
2018
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20132
20144
20154
20173
20181

2013: 2; 2014: 4; 2015: 4; 2017: 3; 2018: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 1 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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10504567 · 2013-03-26 (March 26, 2013)

[XXX] IS CAR WASH STORE? IN MARCH 21, 2013, VEHICLE WARNING LAMP CAME ON AGAIN, THE INFORMATION IS :"ENGINE OIL LEVEL NOT WHEN ENG RUNNING", ON THIS DAY I ONCE PUT MY CAR TO THE [XXX], IN MARCH 26, 2013, [XXX] SEND THE CAR BACK, THEY TELL US, THE VEHICLE IS NO PROBLEM. I CHECK THE VEHICLE FOUND, "ENGINE OIL LEVEL NOT WHEN ENG RUNNING"WARNING LAMP STILL ON . I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S PROBLEM ON THIS CAR? I DON'T KNOW IF I USE THIS CAR IS BE SAFE? I WANT THIS CAR TO THE GOVERNMENT SAFETY SUPERVISION DEPARTMENT TO DO THE IDENTIFICATION, TO CONFIR…

Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10504567 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10512635 · 2013-05-18 (May 18, 2013)

PREVIOUSLY (DAYS AFTER PURCHASE) MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER 2500 LO-TOP WITH REAR ROOF-MOUNTED HIGH POWERED A/C STARTED DRIPPING FROM THE GRILL IN THE HEADLINER DURING DRY WEATHER. ALSO, THE HEADLINER HAD A WATER SPOT. THIS WAS REPAIRED WITH A RELAY TO FIX A KNOWN VACUUM PRESSURE ISSUE WITH THE A/C. THIS TIME, WATER POURED (NOT DRIPPED) IN FROM THE GRILL AGAIN, AFTER PARKING ON A SLIGHT INCLINE AND PULLING AWAY FROM THE CURB DURING A RAIN. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 20,771 miles reported. Look up ODI 10512635 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10598973 · 2014-06-17 (June 17, 2014)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AND AFTER INSTALLING THE SPARE TIRE THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE LUG NUT FOR THE REGULAR TIRE COULD NOT BE USE TO INSTALL THE SPARE TIRE SINCE IT WOULD CAUSE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO ENGAGE. IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE FAILURE AND INSTALL THE NEW TIRE, THE BOLTS HAD TO BE CUT OFF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILU…

Owner-reported narrative. 29,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10598973 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10599078 · 2014-06-18 (June 18, 2014)

THE VEHICLE STARTED POURING WATER TO THE INTERIOR CABIN TROUGH THE ROOFTOP AIR-CONDITIONING VENT, THIS DISTRACTED MY ATTENTION AND IMPAIRED MY ABILITY TO FOCUS EXCLUSIVELY ON THE ROAD. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 8,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10599078 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10608363 · 2014-07-05 (July 5, 2014)

I HAVE AN RV BUILT ON A MERCEDES DIESEL CHASSIS. ON JULY 3 MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON I TOOK IT TO MERCEDES OF TAMPA FL. THEY SAID THAT IN WAS THE OXYGEN SENSOR, BUT DID NOT HAVE IT IN STOCK NOR WAS THERE ONE AVAILABLE AT ANY OF MERCEDES WAREHOUSES IN THE US. IT WOULD HAVE TO COME FROM GERMANY AND IT MIGHT TAKE MONTHS. THEY RESET THE LIGHT AND TOLD BE I COULD TAKE IT BACK TO MD WERE I LIVE AND HAVE THE LOCAL MERCEDES FIX IT. THEY ASSURED ME THAT IT WOULD NOT HARM THE ENGINE AND I COULD DRIVE IT BACK. ABOUT 200 MILES INTO MY RETURN TRIP…

Owner-reported narrative. 2,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10608363 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10615398 · 2014-07-22 (July 22, 2014)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHTS ON THE DRIVER SIDE WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE EXACT REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10615398 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10691195 · 2015-02-27 (February 27, 2015)

WE MOVED TO HIGH ALTITUDE (6750 FT ELEVATION). FROM A STOP IT TAKES OVER THREE SECONDS FOR THE VEHICLE TO HAVE PROPER POWER TO ACCELERATE. IT WILL START TO ROLL, BUT NO REAL POWER. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE MERCEDES BENZ (WALTER'S MERCEDES OF RIVERSIDE, CA) DEALER THREE TIMES. THEY REFUSE TO TEST IT AT ALTITUDE AND SAY THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AT SEA LEVEL (OF COURSE NOT). IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I CAN'T PULL OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY BY MYSELF WITHOUT FEAR OF BEING HIT BECAUSE I AM UNABLE TO PROPERLY ACCELERATE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 42,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10691195 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10733198 · 2015-07-10 (July 10, 2015)

AS A HIGH USE BUSINESS VEHICLE, MY MERCEDES SPRINTER 2500 WAS OUT OF WARRANTY (36K MILES) WITHIN A YEAR OF PURCHASE. JUST ABOUT A MONTH BEYOND 36K, THE ROOF MOUNTED AIR CONDITIONER BEGAN LEAKING (MORE LIKE TORRENTING) WATER UPON THE MIDDLE BENCH SEATS AFTER EVERY RAIN. THIS WATER HAS ALSO LEAKED DOWN INTO THE FRONT ROOF MOUNTED ELECTRONICS, SUCH AS THE DOME LIGHTS, AND MADE THEM MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE IS ESSENTIALLY USELESS FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS TRANSPORT DURING ANY RAIN STORM. WHEN CONTACTED, AFTER MUCH RUN AROUND AND BROKEN PROMISE, THE MA…

Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10733198 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

10V642000 · Equipment

Reported: 2010-12-21 (December 21, 2010)

SPRINTER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 FREIGHTLINER 2500 SPRINTER AND MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN EMERGENCY EXIT WINDOW. THE ADHESIVE BOND BETWEEN THE GLASS AND THE HINGE ON THE TOP OF THE WINDOW MAY LOOSEN.

Consequence: THE EMERGENCY EXIT WINDOW MAY SEPARATE FROM THE BODY AND COULD FALL INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES TO THE PASSENGER OR DRIVER.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EMERGENCY EXIT WINDOW IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SPRINTER AT 1-201-573-0600.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
11V210000 · Seat Belts

Reported: 2011-03-30 (March 30, 2011)

MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 2500 AND 3500 SPRINTER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTIONAL THREE-SEAT BENCH IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE SEAT BENCHES IN THE SECOND SEATING ROW MAY HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH SAFETY BELTS THAT DO NOT MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT," AND MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." FIRST, THOSE SAFETY BELTS MAY NOT LOCK AS REQUIRED. SECOND, THE ASSEMBLY LOOP MAY NOT PERFORM TO MINIMUM FORCE REQUIREMENTS.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SAFETY BELTS IN THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT PERFORM AS REQUIRED SUCH THAT A SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: MERCEDES-BENZ WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE ANY SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT DO NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 843-695-5000.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
16V077000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2016-02-10 (February 10, 2016)

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (Daimler Vans) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Dodge Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2006, to July 31, 2008, 2007-2014 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2006, to July 1, 2014, and 2010-2014 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2010, to July 1, 2014. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Daimler Vans will notify the Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner owners and Fiat Chrysler will notify the Dodge owners. The respective dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2017. Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner owners may contact Daimler Van's customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Dodge owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
17V479000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2017-07-28 (July 28, 2017)

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2010-2011 Freightliner and Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled into the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag, free of charge. The began on January 12, 2018. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-379.

NHTSA campaign record ↗