Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 Problems by Year
NHTSA has 442 owner complaints and 95 safety recalls on file for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500, across 18 model years (2007–2025). The 2020 model year has the most complaints (80). The most reported problem area overall is electrical system.
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Sprinter 2500 year: 2014, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2020 Sprinter 2500: 80 complaints, 22 recalls
- 2019 Sprinter 2500: 67 complaints, 42 recalls
- 2021 Sprinter 2500: 45 complaints, 18 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2007 Sprinter 2500: 1 complaint, 1 recall
- 2009 Sprinter 2500: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
- 2025 Sprinter 2500: 4 complaints, 1 recall
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 69 | 15 | 2 |
| Engine | 63 | 15 | 0 |
| Power Train | 58 | 14 | 6 |
| Air Bags | 56 | 12 | 1 |
| Steering | 49 | 13 | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 39 | 8 | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 38 | 11 | 10 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 36 | 11 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 24 | 12 | 0 |
| Structure | 22 | 13 | 1 |
| Lane Departure | 20 | 5 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 13 | 7 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 11 | 7 | 0 |
| Wheels | 11 | 7 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 10 | 6 | 0 |
| Suspension | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| Seats | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 6 | 4 | 1 |
| Visibility | 6 | 5 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 5 | 5 | 2 |
| Equipment | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Tires | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Sprinter 2500 | 4 | 1 | — | Unknown or Other | |
| 2024 Sprinter 2500 | 12 | 4 | — | Service Brakes | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2023 Sprinter 2500 | 19 | 7 | — | Engine | More complaints than other years |
| 2022 Sprinter 2500 | 40 | 7 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2021 Sprinter 2500 | 45 | 18 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2020 Sprinter 2500 | 80 | 22 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2019 Sprinter 2500 | 67 | 42 | — | Steering | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2018 Sprinter 2500 | 14 | 9 | — | Vehicle Speed Control | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2017 Sprinter 2500 | 13 | 7 | — | Steering | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2016 Sprinter 2500 | 28 | 15 | — | Air Bags | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2015 Sprinter 2500 | 23 | 14 | — | Steering | More complaints than other years |
| 2014 Sprinter 2500 | 38 | 6 | — | Air Bags | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2013 Sprinter 2500 | 21 | 3 | — | Air Bags | More complaints than other years |
| 2012 Sprinter 2500 | 8 | 2 | — | Vehicle Speed Control | |
| 2011 Sprinter 2500 | 14 | 4 | — | Air Bags | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2010 Sprinter 2500 | 14 | 6 | — | Air Bags | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2009 Sprinter 2500 | 1 | 0 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2007 Sprinter 2500 | 1 | 1 | — | Air Bags |
More from Mercedes-Benz: all Mercedes-Benz models · Mercedes-Benz VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2014 (38), 2016 (28), 2019 (67), 2020 (80), 2021 (45), 2022 (40) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Sprinter 2500 year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500?
Electrical System, with 69 complaints across 15 model years.
How many recalls does the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 have?
95 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.