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Mercedes-Benz Sprinter reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 834 complaints about the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with NHTSA since 2010, most often about electrical system and airbags. Mercedes-Benz has filed 4 warranty extensions and 8 service campaigns for it, and there are 108 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the Sprinter a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2010 on.
- Owner complaints
- 834
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 4
- Filed by Mercedes-Benz
- Service campaigns
- 8
- Filed by Mercedes-Benz
- Safety recalls
- 108
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the Sprinter with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | Suspension (50%) | 1 | 1 |
| 2024 | 16 | Other or unspecified (31%) | 4 | 6 |
| 2023 | 37 | Engine (19%) | 7 | 6 |
| 2022 | 49 | Other or unspecified (22%) | 7 | 3 |
| 2021 | 62 | Brakes (19%) | 18 | 3 |
| 2020 | 103 | Electrical system (27%) | 25 | 3 |
| 2019 | 115 | Transmission and drivetrain (21%) | 51 | 4 |
| 2018 | 25 | Cruise control and speed control (28%) | 10 | 1 |
| 2017 | 41 | Wheels (17%) | 9 | 2 |
| 2016 | 92 | Airbags (23%) | 16 | 2 |
| 2015 | 60 | Cruise control and speed control (25%) | 15 | 2 |
| 2014 | 92 | Airbags (37%) | 8 | 2 |
| 2013 | 66 | Airbags (45%) | 5 | 2 |
| 2012 | 29 | Cruise control and speed control (28%) | 4 | 1 |
| 2011 | 24 | Airbags (33%) | 5 | 1 |
| 2010 | 21 | Airbags (29%) | 7 | 1 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Sprinter model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Mercedes-Benz
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Mercedes-Benz filed with NHTSA for the Sprinter, in its own words. A warranty extension means Mercedes-Benz pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionAug 2026· Engine· model years 2017–2018
Mercedes-Benz AG (“MBAG”), the manufacturer of Freightliner Sprinter vehicles, has determined that on certain MY17-18 Freightliner Sprinter vehicles, the diesel particulate filter may crack due to an insufficient weld.
- Warranty extensionFeb 2026· Other or unspecified· model years 2023–2025
In our continuing efforts to assure the proper performance of our products and to ensure the satisfaction of our customers, the warranty for the low pressure EGR differential pressure sensor in the vehicles listed below has been extended from 5 years/100,000 miles to 15…
- Warranty extensionApr 2025· Engine· model years 2019–2022
In our continuing efforts to assure the proper performance of our products and to ensure the satisfaction of our customers, the warranty for the EGR Valve in the vehicles listed below has been extended from the original 5 years/100,000 miles to 15 years/150,000 miles, whichever…
- Warranty extensionMay 2021· Engine and cooling· model years 2010–2016
Per Mercedes-Benz: In our continuing efforts to assure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, MBUSA is extending the warranty of the exhaust gas temperature sensor for the affected vehicles to a total of 11…
- Service campaignJul 2026· Other or unspecified· model years 2023–2024
An authorized Mercedes-Benz eSprinter dealer will update the drivetrain control unit on the affected vehicles. An authorized Mercedes-Benz Sprinter dealer will update the engine control unit on the affected vehicles.
- Service campaignSep 2025· Electrical system· model years 2019–2024
MBAG has determined the software of the control unit for the anti-theft warning system does not correspond to the current production configuration.
- Service campaignDec 2024· Engine· model years 2024
The coolant bleed line was routed improperly and can cause chaffing. MBUSA is conducting a service campaign. An authorized Mercedes-Benz Sprinter dealer will inspect the routing of the coolant bleed line and modify if necessary.
- Service campaignJul 2024· Other or unspecified· model years 2023–2024
Mercedes-Benz AG, the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz Vans, has determined that on certain Sprinter and Metris vehicles, the B-pillar certification label might not contain information on the vehicle's rim size, tire size, and cold tire inflation pressure required under FMVSS 110…
- Service campaignJun 2024· Other or unspecified· model years 2019–2024
Mercedes-Benz AG, the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz Vans, has determined that on certain Sprinter and Metris vehicles, the B-pillar certification label might not contain information on the vehicle's rim size, tire size, and cold tire inflation pressure required under FMVSS 110…
- Service campaignJun 2024· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2023
This is to notify you of a Service Campaign to Replace the Rear Transmission Mount on approximately 76 MY 2023 Sprinter Vans.
- Service campaignMay 2023· Electrical system· model years 2019
Complaint Some MY2019 Amazon Sprinters have a customer-specific 'Driver Alert' Parameterizable Special Module (PSM) software that monitors signals from multiple sensors and outputs audible and visual feedback if the proper parking procedure has not been performed by the driver.
- Service campaignJan 2021· Airbags· model years 2013–2017
Mercedes-Benz AG (?MBAG?), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz, has determined that on certain Model Year (?MY?) 2017-2018 E-Class (213, and 238 platform) vehicles, the supplemental restraint system (?SRS?) control unit software does not correspond to the current production…
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Sprinter model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Electrical system116 (14%)
- Airbags111 (13%)
- Brakes102 (12%)
- Cruise control and speed control101 (12%)
- Transmission and drivetrain94 (11%)
- Other or unspecified87 (10%)
- Engine86 (10%)
- Stability control57 (7%)
Safety recalls
108 recalls cover at least one Sprinter model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The right longitudinal frame member may not be reinforced properly, decreasing the structural integrity of the third-row seats.
The front short-range radar sensor printed circuit board may fail and result in a loss of automatic emergency braking and other driver assistance features.
The longitudinal frame members may not be reinforced properly.
The parking brake cable bracket welds may fail and disengage the parking brake.
The instrument cluster illumination may not be adjustable and appear too bright in certain lighting conditions.
The spring U-bolts for the rear axle may have reduced strength due to improper heat-treatment, which can cause the rear axle to shift out of position.
A 12-Volt ground connection may not be secured properly, which can result in the ground connection overheating and a loss of drive power.
The main wiring harness may chafe against the drive shaft and short circuit, which can result in a loss of drive power, power steering, and brake system control.
The partition wall may be missing bolts, allowing the wall to detach during a crash.
The longitudinal frame members may be missing reinforcement fasteners, reducing vehicle stability and decreasing the structural integrity of the third-row seats.
The connection between the propeller shaft bearing and crossmember may loosen, reducing vehicle control.
The front left suspension strut bolt may not be secured properly, which can result in a loss of steering control.
The topcoat paint formula may cause the windows and interior lashing rails to be insufficiently bonded to the vehicle.
The fuel pump may shutdown, which can result in a loss of drive power.
The instrument cluster may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started.
And 93 more recalls on NHTSA.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- EA21002Engineering analysis· opened Sep 2021, still open· Airbags· model years 2010–2011, 2016–2018
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
- PE21019Preliminary evaluation· opened Aug 2021, closed May 2022· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2019–2020
Vehicle Rolls Away While in Park
Led to recall 21V972000.
- PE20014Preliminary evaluation· opened Sep 2020, closed Mar 2021· Brakes· model years 2011–2018
Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Failure
Led to recall 21V042000.
NHTSA's own page for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2010 on: 834 owner complaints, 4 warranty extensions and 8 service campaigns Mercedes-Benz filed, and 108 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2019 (115), 2020 (103), 2014 (92). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name electrical system (14%), airbags (13%), brakes (12%). Mercedes-Benz has filed 4 warranty extensions covering the Sprinter, listed on this page.
Which Sprinter model years have the most complaints?
2019 (115), 2020 (103), 2014 (92). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Sprinter with each other rather than with other models.
Has Mercedes-Benz extended the warranty on the Sprinter?
Yes: engine (model years 2017–2018); other or unspecified (model years 2023–2025); engine (model years 2019–2022), and 1 more. A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a Sprinter?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 108 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.