Collision Avoidance complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise, lane keeping, backup camera).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I drove on the freeway with Cruise Control engaged. Suddenly, the control kicked off, and the meter board displayed the following warnings: "Active Brake Assist Functions Limited. See Operator's Manual" and "Active Distance Assist Inoperative." I immediately contacted Mercedes-Benz road assistance, and it took them 13 hours to tow my vehicle to the Mercedes-Benz dealer in Las Vegas. It is closed on Sunday. They just drop us on the driveway. The temperature was scorching at 105 degrees Fahrenheit. I drove very cautiously to a nearby parking lot, parked my vehicle under the shade of a tree, engaged park position, activated the emergency brake, and kept the engine idling with the air conditioning on for approximately 10 minutes. Unexpectedly, the vehicle suddenly started moving forward and accelerated, ultimately colliding with a tree about 5 feet in front. …
The contact owns a 2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds with the cruise control activated, the vehicle experienced phantom braking, with the traction control warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times while the cruise control was activated. The contact stated that the failure worsened over time. The contact stated that the failure ceased after turning off the cruise control feature. In addition, the contact stated that the Forward Collision Avoidance feature was disabled and failed to operate as needed. The dealer was notified of the failure; but the manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 6,800.
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated while driving on the highway at 65 MPH, there was construction that had directed traffic to the right side of the road. The contact stated that while driving past the construction site, the active lane departure assist warning light illuminated on the instrument panel which caused the steering wheel to shake and the brakes to lock-up. The vehicle independently began to steer out of the lane and into another lane which almost caused a crash. The contact had to use excessive force to keep the vehicle from hitting the other vehicle. The contact stated that the failure occurred 3 times after the initial failure on the same day caused by Active Lane Keep Assist program, while driving under similar conditions. …
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would inadvertently abruptly stop every 20 minutes. The contact stated that the Forward Collision-Avoidance Automatic: Dynamic Brake Support/Brake Assist warning light would illuminate prior to the failure. The contact disabled the brake assist; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanic determined that the aftermarket tires had caused the sensors to become defective. The contact was also informed that the failure was a common issue. The contact was concerned because he was stranded out of town with a defective vehicle. …
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.
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.
The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated that on several occasions when the vehicle was started, the message "Distance Assistance Currently Unavailable" was displayed. The contact also stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the cruise control was activated, but the option failed to appear on the screen. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 8,149.
The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the MBUX multimedia system became inoperable resulting in the rear-view camera not functioning as designed. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 21V411000 (Electrical System, Back Over Prevention). The vehicle was diagnosed and repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.
Related recalls (2)
Back over prevention › Display function
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.
Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 years have collision avoidance problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2020 (20), 2021 (14), 2022 (11) and 2019 (6) model years. Collision Avoidance complaints make up 25% of all complaints for the 2020.
Is there a recall for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 collision avoidance problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 22V-281 (display function, Apr 27, 2022); 21V-077 (camera, Feb 17, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 collision avoidance problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 12,000 miles; 85% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic emergency braking (26 mentions), followed by the adaptive cruise control (19).
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.