2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 Problems & Complaints

Avoid5.8× as many complaints as a typical year of the Sprinter 2500 at the same age

Owners have filed 80 complaints about the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 5.8× as many as a typical Sprinter 2500 model year at the same age, which makes the 2020 one of the Sprinter 2500 years to avoid. The most reported problem area is the electrical system (20 complaints, typically around 10,000 miles). 22 recalls cover this model year.

80complaints
22recalls
3crashes
1fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 problems

  • Electrical system~10,000 miles
    2025%
  • Driver assistance~10,000 miles
    2025%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~9,000 miles
    1823%
  • Engine & cooling~7,000 miles
    1519%
  • Brakes~1,000 miles
    1215%
  • Other / not specified~7,000 miles
    911%
  • Steering~3,000 miles
    810%
  • Speed control & acceleration~9,000 miles
    56%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~99,000 miles
    45%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~1,000 miles
    34%
  • Seats
    23%
  • Stability & traction control~0 miles
    11%
  • Equipment & accessories
    11%
  • Seat belts
    11%
  • Air bags
    11%
  • Body & structure
    11%

Share of the 80 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 complaints by model year

’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’2414148213823281314678045401912
Owner complaints per model year, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Sprinter 2500 years: 2012, 2010, 2017. Years to avoid: 2020, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2014. Compare all years →

2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 recalls (22)

Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel

NHTSA recall 24V-930 · Dec 13, 2024 · 697 vehicles

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The instrument cluster illumination may not be adjustable and appear too bright in certain lighting conditions.

Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 31, 2025. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

Structure › Critical fasteners

NHTSA recall 23V-875 · Dec 21, 2023 · 3,739 vehicles

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The longitudinal frame members may be missing reinforcement fasteners, reducing vehicle stability and decreasing the structural integrity of the third-row seats.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the frame members as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 4, 2024. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

Structure › Critical fasteners

NHTSA recall 23V-876 · Dec 21, 2023 · 387 vehicles

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and 2019-2021 Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The partition wall may be missing bolts, allowing the wall to detach during a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and secure the partition wall as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 16, 2024. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

Structure › Body

NHTSA recall 23V-874 · Dec 21, 2023 · 9 vehicles

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The connection between the propeller shaft bearing and crossmember may loosen, reducing vehicle control.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the crossmember as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel

NHTSA recall 23V-204 · Mar 24, 2023 · 6,857 vehicles

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and 2019-2021 Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The instrument cluster may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started.

Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument cluster software on the affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 5, 2023. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

Power train › Automatic transmission › Internal › Park pawl

NHTSA recall 22V-796 · Oct 21, 2022 · 124,305 vehicles

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles equipped with a manual parking brake and 7-speed automatic transmission. The guide bushing on the parking pawl may fatigue, which can cause the parking pawl not to engage and result in vehicle rollaway.

Remedy: Dealers will update the software of the electronic stability, transmission control, direct select module, and electronic ignition switch control units, free of charge.

Show 16 more recalls

Communication › Auto crash notification

NHTSA recall 22V-360 · May 20, 2022 · 19,937 vehicles

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Freightliner Sprinter, Mercedes-Benz Metris, and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. An error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system.

Remedy: The communication module software will be updated through an Over-the-Air (OTA) update, or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 13, 2022.

Back over prevention › Display function

NHTSA recall 22V-281 · Apr 27, 2022 · 12,086 vehicles

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Freightliner Sprinter and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The rearview camera may not display the rearview image due to a software error.

Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 20, 2022. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

Electrical system › Software

NHTSA recall 21V-972 · Dec 15, 2021 · 48,400 vehicles

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. A software error in the park lock system may allow the vehicle to move after the gear selector has been placed in the Park 'P' position without the parking brake applied.

Remedy: Dealers will update the electronic stability program control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 11, 2022. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

Air bags › Passenger side frontal › Cushion

NHTSA recall 21V-410 · Jun 2, 2021 · 4,078 vehicles

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling 2019-2021 Mercedes Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles equipped with swivel seats. The wiring harnesses for the front seats may have been routed incorrectly and could become jammed and damaged in the swivel seat frames.

Remedy: Dealers will attach the mounting clip to the correct position, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 11, 2021. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

Electrical system › Software

NHTSA recall 21V-411 · Jun 2, 2021 · 33,437 vehicles

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The MBUX multimedia system software may cause the display to remain black, or reboot after startup. This could result in the rearview camera image not displaying properly.

Remedy: The multimedia system software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. DVUSA issued owners an interim notification on July 23, 2021.

Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and attachments

NHTSA recall 21V-359 · May 17, 2021 · 2,016 vehicles

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The screws for the front door hinges may not have been tightened properly.

Remedy: Dealers will check the screws and tighten them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2021. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections

NHTSA recall 21V-241 · Apr 6, 2021 · 4,444 vehicles

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mercedes Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The hydraulic power steering return line hoses may detach and cause hydraulic fluid to leak.

Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will install a screw-type clamp, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 28, 2021. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel

NHTSA recall 21V-235 · Apr 5, 2021 · 1,285 vehicles

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mercedes Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The multifunctional display in the instrument cluster may not be adjustable and appear too bright in certain lighting conditions.

Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 28, 2021. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Lock

NHTSA recall 21V-153 · Mar 10, 2021 · 56 vehicles

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mercedes Benz Sprinter vehicles equipped with an optional electric sliding door. The auxiliary lock on the sliding door may be the incorrect type for an electric sliding door.

Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will convert the sliding door from electric to manual function, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 20, 2023.

Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages

NHTSA recall 21V-152 · Mar 10, 2021 · 56,534 vehicles

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The retaining washer and bolt that connect the brake pedal to the bearing block, may come loose and detach. This could cause the brake lights to stay illuminated, even when the brake pedal is not pressed.

Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners and dealers will secure a bearing bracket to brake pedal by retrofitting an additional retaining ring (with PNR A 907 994 01 00) at the bearing bracket of brake pedal, free of charge.

Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera

NHTSA recall 21V-077 · Feb 17, 2021 · 198 vehicles

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mercedes Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles equipped with the multimedia system "Connect 5" and a rearview camera. The rearview image may not display within 2 seconds from the start of the backing event.

Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software update on the vehicles, free of charge. The recall began March 5, 2021. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

Electrical system › Software

NHTSA recall 21V-055 · Feb 5, 2021 · 84,345 vehicles

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2016-2020 Mercedes-Benz Metris and 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the event of a crash.

Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the software communication module for the automatic emergency call system, free of charge. The recall began on May 5, 2021.

Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper

NHTSA recall 20V-802 · Dec 21, 2020 · 9,094 vehicles

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles equipped with electric parking brakes. The rear brake calipers may leak brake fluid into the housing of the electric parking brake connected to the rear axle service brake system, allowing air to enter the…

Remedy: DVUSA will replace the rear brake calipers, free of charge. Owners notification letters were mailed on January 4, 2022. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections

NHTSA recall 20V-663 · Oct 28, 2020 · 47,667 vehicles

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Mercedes Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The hydraulic power steering return line hoses may detach at their connection points under certain operating conditions, causing hydraulic fluid to leak.

Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will check the return line connections of the power steering system, correcting it as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2020.

Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

NHTSA recall 20V-631 · Oct 14, 2020 · 463 vehicles

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The outer area of the brake hoses on the front and rear axles may have been damaged during production.

Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will check the condition of the brake hoses on the front and rear axles and replace them as needed, free of charge. The recall began November 24, 2020.

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

NHTSA recall 20V-595 · Sep 29, 2020 · 4,010 vehicles

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling 2019-2020 Mercedes Benz and Freightliner Sprinters. The fuel line clamps may loosen and result in a fuel leak.

Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will check the fuel hose clamp connections and tighten or replace the components as needed, free of charge. DVUSA issued owners an interim notification on November 9, 2020.

What 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 owners say

Electrical system all 20 →

On November 28, 2025, I experienced a vehicle fire in my Mercedes 2020 Sprinter 2500 4WD van. The van engine was on and idling while heating up with the van heater blower on level 6 (out of 7). After about 45 minutes, I saw a haze first and then smelled smoke. Unsure of the source, I turned the vehicle off and exited with my dog. I opened the hood to look for smoke in the engine bay. No smoke under the hood. I contact Mercedes Roadside and open the driver side door where I see flames under the seat. I grabbed the fire extinguisher I installed and put the fire out within 20-25 seconds of seeing it. I believe the root cause of the fire was running the van blower at a high setting for a sustained 45 minutes. My dog and I were inside and definitely in danger. It scares me to think of a scenario where the van was idling with only my dog inside and something like this occurring. …

Nov 2025 · fire

The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the instrument cluster lost functionality and the screen went blank. The contact stated no warning was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle had experienced cold start failures. The contact stated that occasionally several attempts were needed to start the vehicle. The contact stated that the failures were intermittent. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the instrument cluster failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V204000 (Electrical System). The failure mileage was approximately 11,000.

11,000 miles · Jul 2023

Driver assistance all 20 →

The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the crosswind assist activated, applying the brake, and briefly taking control of the steering, prompting the contact to pull to the shoulder of the roadway. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality however, the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 126,000.

Lane keep › Steering assist · 126,000 miles · Oct 2022

The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated that while in reverse, the rearview camera failed to display a rearview image. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to provide a cause for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V411000 (Electrical System, Back Over Prevention); but the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 51,000.

51,000 miles · Aug 2025

Transmission & drivetrain

This van is under recall for roll away incidents. The van did roll away and now has $9K worth of damage from hitting a stop sign and a wall. The van has been at MB Stockton Ca for months and months with out a resolution. Mercedes Benz sent us a letter yesterday stating they deny all responsibility and advising us to pick up the van. The recall is not complete. This vehicle is 100% unsafe and now prone to more incidents, we have refused to pick up the vehicle. Mercedes has advised us to appeal the case with them which we have done. They continue to stall the situation.

Feb 2022 · crash

The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was jerking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause of the failure was found. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number 22V796000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.

32,000 miles · Mar 2022

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 a good car?

Based on 80 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2020 Sprinter 2500 rates avoid: 5.8× as many complaints as a typical year of the Sprinter 2500 at the same age. It is one of the Sprinter 2500 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500?

The electrical system — 20 complaints, 25% of all complaints for this model year, most often about ignition › module. Next are the driver assistance (20) and transmission & drivetrain (18).

How many recalls does the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 have?

There are 22 recalls for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500, the most recent from December 13, 2024 (instrument cluster/panel). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012, 2010 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2020, 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2014. See the full Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 years comparison.

At what mileage do 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 3,000 miles; 87% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.