2011 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Sep 17, 2021 · 14 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Sprinter 2500 years
Fewer complaints than other years 10th of 18 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. That ranks 10th out of 18 Sprinter 2500 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (4 complaints, 29%), typically at around 22,049 miles. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2011 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Air Bags4 · ~22,049 mi
Unknown or Other3 · ~7,500 mi
Electrical System2 · ~50,000 mi
Engine2 · ~11,200 mi
Structure2 · ~14,536 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling1 · ~20,771 mi
Fuel/propulsion System1 · ~42,000 mi
Power Train1 · ~42,000 mi
Wheels1 · ~29,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Air Bags429%22,049——
Unknown or Other321%7,500——
Electrical System214%50,000——
Engine214%11,200——
Structure214%14,536——
Engine and Engine Cooling17%20,771——
Fuel/propulsion System17%42,000——
Power Train17%42,000——
Wheels17%29,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2014, with 4 complaints
2013: 2201322014: 4201442015: 4201542017: 3201732018: 120181

n = 14 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2011 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 recalls (4)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleJul 28, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V479000 · 20,665 vehicles

Problem: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2010-2011 Freightliner and Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled into the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag, free of charge. The began on January 12, 2018. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-379.

Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator moduleFeb 10, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V077000 · 136,361 vehicles

Problem: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (Daimler Vans) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Dodge Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2006, to July 31, 2008, 2007-2014 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2006, to July 1, 2014, and 2010-2014 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2010, to July 1, 2014. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Daimler Vans will notify the Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner owners and Fiat Chrysler will notify the Dodge owners. The respective dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2017. Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner owners may contact Daimler Van's customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Dodge owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Seat beltsMar 30, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V210000 · 3,437 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-benz is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 2500 and 3500 sprinter vehicles equipped with an optional three-seat bench in the passenger compartment. The seat benches in the second seating row may have been equipped with safety belts that do not meet the minimum requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard 208, "occupant protection in interior impact," and motor vehicle safety standard 209, "seat belt assemblies." first, those safety belts may not lock as required. Second, the assembly loop may not perform to minimum force requirements.

Risk: In the event of a crash, the safety belts in these vehicles may not perform as required such that a seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of injury or death in the event of a crash.

Fix: Mercedes-benz will inspect and replace any seat belt assemblies that do not meet the requirements free of charge. The safety recall began on july 15, 2011. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 843-695-5000.

EquipmentDec 21, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V642000 · 274 vehicles

Problem: Sprinter is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 freightliner 2500 sprinter and mercedes-benz sprinter vehicles equipped with an emergency exit window. The adhesive bond between the glass and the hinge on the top of the window may loosen.

Risk: The emergency exit window may separate from the body and could fall increasing the risk of injuries to the passenger or driver.

Fix: Dealers will replace the emergency exit window if necessary free of charge. The safety recall began on february 11, 2011. Owners may contact sprinter at 1-201-573-0600.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA21002) — opened Sep 17, 2021, still open.
  • Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Failure (PE20014) — opened Sep 21, 2020, closed Mar 30, 2021, led to recall 21V042000.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

Takata recall: have been receiving recall notices about years (first recall april 2016). Made several appointments to replace, but they were out when i arrived. Currently i've had an air bag on order to be held in my name since june 2018. Still no success.

Air Bags · received Sep 6, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11124749

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V077000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE…

Air Bags · received Oct 12, 2017 · NHTSA complaint 11033033

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 mercedes-benz sprinter 2500. While driving unknown speeds, the srs indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (mercedes-benz of brooklyn, located at 1800 shore pkwy brooklyn, ny 11214) where it was diagnosed that the ether element sensor needed to…

Air Bags · received Jul 28, 2017 · NHTSA complaint 11011310

It is has been over a year and we are still waiting for an airbag replacement. This is quite dangerous and we believe that waiting for more than one year is too long.

Air Bags · received Apr 13, 2017 · NHTSA complaint 10972318

Roof mounted a/c leaks water inside the van every time it rains. This is my second sprinter with this problem, and it affects my business tremendously as i own an executive transportation company, not the type of problem expected on a mercedes

Unknown or Other · received Aug 10, 2015 · NHTSA complaint 10747657

Other Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 years

← 2010 Sprinter 2500 · 2012 Sprinter 2500 →

See all Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 problems by year, every Mercedes-Benz model, or the Mercedes-Benz VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500?

Owners most often report air bags, unknown or other, electrical system problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 4 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2011 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500?

Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2011 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Sprinter 2500 model years, the 2011 has fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.