Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2023 | 6 | 32% | — |
| 2022 | 8 | 20% | — |
| 2021 | 5 | 11% | — |
| 2020 | 15 | 19% | 7,000 miles |
| 2019 | 6 | 9% | 3,000 miles |
| 2018 | 3 | 21% | 90,000 miles |
| 2017 | 1 | 8% | 73,000 miles |
| 2016 | 3 | 11% | 175,000 miles |
| 2015 | 2 | 9% | — |
| 2014 | 9 | 24% | 131,000 miles |
| 2013 | 4 | 19% | 133,000 miles |
| 2012 | 1 | 13% | — |
| 2011 | 3 | 21% | 20,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 7% | 180,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Occasionally, the idle speed of the engine will drop to 400 rpm. When this happens, the vehicle does not respond to throttle input. If it happens in a parking lot, you can shift into park and coax the rpm higher, then shift to drive and move on. When it happens in the middle of an intersection while waiting to make a left turn, the story is very different. You can end up in a very dangerous situation. This has happened to me multiple times. I have not had an accident, but I have upset other drivers when I failed to clear an intersection in a timely manner. Knowing that the car will move when you press on the accelerator is critical for safely operating a vehicle. I purchased the vehicle new in October 2024, but did not start driving it until February 2025. The first incident happened about a week after hitting the road. It has happened many times since then. …
I had tuned up my sprinter van around 64000 miles. I put new ngk spark plugs and ignition coils on it. Ran for a day then. The codes said the number one ignition coil was bad. Change that out and it ran for about 8000 miles. Then stated to go in lymph mode again. I decided to replace them with original Mercedes spark plugs and Ignition coils. But when I put them in the van had no power and was jerking. It was doing this before I changed them out. It had no power and would barely go up a hill. I researched and seen certain Merecedes Sprinter vans from 2021 to 2023. Had a recall on the fuel pump. But I don't understand why my van wasn't included. It's showing all the systems them the fuel pump or something to do with the fuel pump is going bad. I changed the spark plugs and ignition coils twice in less than 3 months.
Upon starting the van (brand new, less than 300 mi driven) everything functions normally in P, however as soon as I shift into D, there is no power and the gas pedal is completely unresponsive (Can push pedal to the floor and still 0 RPM). This issue happens randomly, though the common factor that myself and many others have experienced is being at altitude >5000ft (quite common in western US). There are no warning/error indicators and service dashboard looks clean. The only fix appears to be restarting the engine or waiting for it to idle for 5-10min to "warm up" even though this happens in both cold (20F) and warm (70F) weather. …
At elevations above about 6,500ft, the Sprinter is essentially immobile or becomes intermittently unresponsive to the gas pedal when it is depressed. This happens routinely at elevation and has led to unresponsive acceleration while driving. The unresponsive accelerator has compromised safety when trying to pull out onto roads. This issue has occurred frequently to other Sprinter owners in similar conditions. No warning lights, lamps, or messages appear or are associated with this issue. This issue appears difficult to replicate at Mercedes dealerships/service centers as they are all below the affected elevation. When describing the issue to a MB service representative, I was told it was "normal". Though an unresponsive accelerator should not be written off and discarded as normal when it has the easy potential to inflict harm its passengers.
Driving at an elevation of 6,200' the check engine light illuminated with code P012C "Turbocharger/Supercharger Inlet Pressure Sensor Circuit Low". Shortly after the van went into "limp home" mode with no turbocharger input. Minimal acceleration. Almost resulted in accident since I couldn't safely re-enter highway at speed.
At altitudes of over 5,000' MSL the vehicle will not move when shifted into Drive or Reverse. No response from gas pedal. Vehicle will randomly hesitate with zero or poor throttle response when driving creating an extreme safety hazard.
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.
On Sept 6 2021 the engine suddenly stalled/stopped while driving on 194 west of Pullman Wa. A partial restart enabled me to move to a safer location. The Check Engine light came on. I used myOBD scanner to identify engine failure fault codes. Electrical sensor short circuits were identified. Vehicle was transported to a MB dealer in Spokane where a chaffed engine wiring harness was identified as the cause. MB engineers in Stuttgart Germany confirmed this diagnosis. I have now learned that the factory harness installation rubbing against engine components has been an ongoing problem in the Sprinter Van. This defect has contributed to engine failures as acknowledged by several MB technicians. Owners of all affected MB Sprinter Vans should receive notice of this potentially dangerous wiring harness defect. …
Related recalls (4)
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019 Mercedes Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The connecting screws on the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) pipe may not have been correctly tightened.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter dealers will renew the screw connection and the flange seals on the exhaust gas recirculation pipe, free of charge.
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019 Mercedes Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The flange connection between the exhaust gas turbocharger and the exit to the diesel particulate filter may not be attached properly, potentially causing an exhaust gas leak.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter dealers will replace the flange seals and properly tighten the connection, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2020.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Diesel
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC - DBA Sprinter (Mercedes) is recalling certain model year 2015 Sprinter 2500 and Sprinter 3500 vehicles manufactured February 28, 2014, to January 22, 2015. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from around the chain tensioner gasket area.
Remedy: Mercedes will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chain tensioner gasket, free of charge. The recall began May 18, 2015. Owners may contact Mercedes customer service at 1-877-762-8267.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Diesel
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC - DBA Sprinter (Mercedes) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Sprinter 2500, and Sprinter 3500 vehicles manufactured February 28, 2014, to November 21, 2014. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from around the chain tensioner gasket area.
Remedy: Mercedes will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chain tensioner gasket, free of charge. The recall began on December 19, 2014. Owners may contact Mercedes customer service at 1-877-762-8267.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2020 (15), 2014 (9), 2022 (8), 2019 (6) and 2023 (6) model years. Engine complaints make up 19% of all complaints for the 2020.
Is there a recall for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 engine problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 20V-078 (gas recirculation valve (egr valve), Feb 12, 2020); 20V-079 (exhaust system, Feb 12, 2020); 15V-261 (diesel, May 5, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles; 56% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the exhaust system › emission control › catalytic convertor (1 mentions), followed by the cooling system › hoses/lines/piping/fittings (1).
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.