2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Aug 6, 2026 · 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 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. That ranks 10th out of 18 Sprinter 2500 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is vehicle speed control (4 complaints, 29%), typically at around 4,734 miles. There are 9 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.

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Most common 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 problems

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

Vehicle Speed Control4 · ~4,734 mi
Power Train3 · ~3,750 mi
Steering3 · ~22,750 mi
Electrical System2 · ~40,000 mi
Engine2 · ~50,000 mi
Seat Belts2 · ~15,000 mi
Structure2 · ~13,750 mi
Unknown or Other2 · ~4,734 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling1 · ~90,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion System1
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Vehicle Speed Control429%4,734——
Power Train321%3,750——
Steering321%22,750——
Electrical System214%40,000——
Engine214%50,000——
Seat Belts214%15,000——
Structure214%13,750——
Unknown or Other214%4,734——
Engine and Engine Cooling17%90,000——
Fuel/propulsion System17%———
Lane Departure17%4,734——
Suspension17%4,500——

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

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2020, with 5 complaints
2020: 5202052021: 2202122022: 1202212023: 1202312024: 3202432026: 220262

n = 14 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 recalls (9)

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

Steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connectionsOct 28, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V663000 · 47,667 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: The sudden loss of power steering assist and hydraulic steering fluid leaking onto the roadway may increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this campaign is NV3LETULPE.

Equipment:other:labelsMar 18, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V155000 · 289 vehicles

Problem: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The spare tire label may indicate the maximum speed at 55 kilometers per hour (kph) rather than as 34 miles per hour (mph).

Risk: With only the metric speed listed on the spare tire label, the driver could misinterpret the kph as mph and operate the vehicle with the spare tire installed at higher speeds than the tire can withstand, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter dealers will replace it with the label with the correct maximum speed information indicated in miles per hour, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2020. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3BEGRESS.

Equipment:other:labelsMar 18, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V156000 · 332 vehicles

Problem: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The spare tire label indicating the maximum speed may have not been affixed to the spare tire.

Risk: Without the label, an operator may be unaware of the maximum speed limit of the spare tire and operate the vehicle at a excessive speed, increasing the risk of tire failure and a crash.

Fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter dealers will attach the speed limitation label on the spare wheel, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2020. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3BEGREPP.

Unknown or otherOct 2, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V693000 · 19 vehicles

Problem: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Sprinter and Metris vehicles. The vehicles left the reassembly plant without the final quality inspection of safety-relevant parts or bolt connections, resulting in possible unknown safety risks.

Risk: Failure to identify loose safety related parts can increase the risk of crash and injury.

Fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and vehicles will be returned to the reassembly plant for comprehensive inspection and, if necessary, corrective action, free of charge. The recall began November 15, 2019. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VSX566ZP25.

Air bags: air bag/restraint control moduleOct 2, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V695000 · 1,232 vehicles

Problem: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The airbag systems may not have been activated after vehicle production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Risk: An inactive airbag system can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to determine if the airbag systems have been activated, correcting them as necessary, free of charge. DVUSA issued owners an interim notification on November 22, 2019. The recall began February 10, 2020. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3AIRIGEL.

Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latchSep 18, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V665000 · 5,626 vehicles

Problem: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The screw connection on the upper hood catch may have been improperly tightened. As a result, factors such as the vehicle's speed, wind resistance and road conditions may cause the hood to open while the vehicle is being driven.

Risk: A hood that opens while driving can reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the screw connection, tightening it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2019. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3HAUBOSS.

Visibility:glass, side/rearJul 2, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V507000 · 1,079 vehicles

Problem: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter 1500, 2500, 3500 and 4500 vehicles. The rear side windows may be single-pane safety glass instead of laminated safety glass.

Risk: In the event of a side impact crash or vehicle rollover, the fitted side windows may not adequately protect the rear occupants from being ejected, increasing their risk of injury.

Fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner dealers will replace the single-pane safety glass with laminated safety glass., free of charge. DVUSA issued owners an interim notification on August 16, 2019. The recall began January 21, 2020. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3VERGLAS.

Unknown or otherMar 20, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V222000 · 7 vehicles

Problem: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Metris vehicles. The affected vehicles left the reassembly plant without the final quality inspection of safety-relevant parts or bolt connections, resulting in possible unknown safety risks.

Risk: Failure to identify loose safety related parts can increase the risk of crash and injury.

Fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will complete the final quality inspection, free of charge. The recall began May 17, 2019. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VSX566ZP25.

Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latchOct 24, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V743000 · 76 vehicles

Problem: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2018 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The right side door latches may have been built with incorrect components. As a result, when the doors are electronically unlocked, the right-side doors may not be able to be opened from inside or outside of the vehicle.

Risk: In the event of a crash, if the right side doors cannot be opened, it could increase the risk of injury.

Fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the locks if necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2019. Owners may contact DVUSA at 1-877-762-8267.

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.

SAFETY DEFECT REPORT & RECALL NON-COMPLIANCE: 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 (VIN: [XXX]) This complaint involves an uncorrected emissions system defect that causes a sudden, dangerous engine shutdown and low-speed countdown limp mode on live roadways, combined with manufacturer recall…

Engine · received Aug 6, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11755370

The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware of an electrical burning odor. Upon touching the steering wheel, the steering wheel was extremely hot. After the vehicle was driven, the steering wheel gradually…

Electrical System · received Feb 23, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11719801

The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the highway. The check engine warning…

Engine · received Oct 22, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11621205

The line for the automatic steering fluid blew. This was "repaired" Mercedes Benz during a recall but the repaired clamp did not hold. We lost the ability to steer the van easily which is dangerous to other vehicles. The problem was confirmed by the repair shop that we took it to. We did not have a…

Steering · received Jul 2, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11598099

The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH and attempting to accelerate, he heard an abnormal sound emanating from the engine compartment. After which, the vehicle lost significant motive power and was unable to accelerate above 45 MPH. No…

Engine and Engine Cooling · received Mar 5, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11575524

Other Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 years

← 2017 Sprinter 2500 · 2019 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 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500?

Owners most often report vehicle speed control, power train, steering problems. The top one, vehicle speed control, accounts for 4 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500?

Yes, 9 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2018 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 2018 has fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.