2020 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 problems, complaints & recalls

2020 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 recalls (17)

• Recall 23V875000Dec 21, 20233,739 vehicles
  STRUCTURE:CRITICAL FASTENERS

  Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The longitudinal frame members may be missing reinforcement fasteners, reducing vehicle stability and decreasing the structural integrity of the third-row seats.

  Risk: Reduced stability increases the risk of a crash. Additionally, the third-row seat mountings can fail, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

  Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the frame members as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 4, 2024. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3ROHRAH.

• Recall 23V874000Dec 21, 20239 vehicles
  STRUCTURE:BODY

  Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The connection between the propeller shaft bearing and crossmember may loosen, reducing vehicle control.

  Risk: Reduced vehicle control increases the risk of a crash. Additionally, the propeller shaft may damage the fuel tank during a crash, causing a leak and increasing the risk of a fire.

  Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the crossmember as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3QUERTR.

• Recall 23V876000Dec 21, 2023387 vehicles
  STRUCTURE:CRITICAL FASTENERS

  Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and 2019-2021 Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The partition wall may be missing bolts, allowing the wall to detach during a crash.

  Risk: A detached partition wall can increase the risk of injury.

  Remedy: Dealers will inspect and secure the partition wall as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 16, 2024. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3TREWAN.

• Recall 23V204000Mar 24, 20236,857 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

  Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and 2019-2021 Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The instrument cluster may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started.

  Risk: A blank instrument panel will not show critical information, such as vehicle speed, fuel gauge, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument cluster software on the affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 5, 2023. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3KOMBAUS.

• Recall 22V796000Oct 21, 2022124,305 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:INTERNAL:PARK PAWL

  Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles equipped with a manual parking brake and 7-speed automatic transmission. The guide bushing on the parking pawl may fatigue, which can cause the parking pawl not to engage and result in vehicle rollaway.

  Risk: Vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Dealers will update the software of the electronic stability, transmission control, direct select module, and electronic ignition switch control units, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2023. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's numbers for this recall are 22V2790611, 22V2790612, and 22V2790613.

• Recall 22V360000May 20, 202219,937 vehicles
  COMMUNICATION: AUTO CRASH NOTIFICATION · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

  Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Freightliner Sprinter, Mercedes-Benz Metris, and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. An error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system.

  Risk: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.

  Remedy: The communication module software will be updated through an Over-the-Air (OTA) update, or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 13, 2022. Owners may contact DVUSA at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS2SIMKOM/VS3SIMKOM.

• Recall 22V281000Apr 27, 202212,086 vehicles
  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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

  Risk: An inoperable rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

  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. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3KOMRUE.

• Recall 21V972000Dec 15, 202148,400 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

  Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. A software error in the park lock system may allow the vehicle to move after the gear selector has been placed in the Park 'P' position without the parking brake applied.

  Risk: Unintentional vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Dealers will update the electronic stability program control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 11, 2022. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3PA27 ERI/ERO.

• Recall 21V410000Jun 2, 20214,078 vehicles
  AIR BAGS:PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL:CUSHION · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling 2019-2021 Mercedes Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles equipped with swivel seats. The wiring harnesses for the front seats may have been routed incorrectly and could become jammed and damaged in the swivel seat frames.

  Risk: Damage to the wiring harness can prevent the side air bag within the seat to deploy inadvertently or not deploy as designed, increasing the risk of injury.

  Remedy: Dealers will attach the mounting clip to the correct position, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 11, 2021. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3DREHSEL.

• Recall 21V411000Jun 2, 202133,437 vehicles
  BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

  Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The MBUX multimedia system software may cause the display to remain black, or reboot after startup. This could result in the rearview camera image not displaying properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

  Risk: A backup camera that displays a blank image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

  Remedy: The multimedia system software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. DVUSA issued owners an interim notification on July 23, 2021. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3UXPOBOX.

• Recall 21V241000Apr 6, 20214,444 vehicles
  STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

  Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mercedes Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The hydraulic power steering return line hoses may detach and cause hydraulic fluid to leak.

  Risk: A hydraulic fluid leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will install a screw-type clamp, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 28, 2021. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is NV3LETULPX.

• Recall 21V235000Apr 5, 20211,285 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

  Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mercedes Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The multifunctional display in the instrument cluster may not be adjustable and appear too bright in certain lighting conditions. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Control and Displays."

  Risk: A display that is too bright can hinder the driver's vision, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 28, 2021. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3DISPKI.

• Recall 21V152000Mar 10, 202156,534 vehicles
  SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

  Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The retaining washer and bolt that connect the brake pedal to the bearing block, may come loose and detach. This could cause the brake lights to stay illuminated, even when the brake pedal is not pressed.

  Risk: Malfunctioning brake lights can fail to alert other motorists of the driver's intention, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners and dealers will secure a bearing bracket to brake pedal by retrofitting an additional retaining ring (with PNR A 907 994 01 00) at the bearing bracket of brake pedal, free of charge. DVUSA issued owners an interim notification on May 3, 2021. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3BREBOL.

• Recall 21V077000Feb 17, 2021198 vehicles
  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. In addition, the rearview image may be obscured or covered by the visual display of the Emergency Call (eCall) pop-up window if the eCall system is activated while the reverse gear is engaged. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

  Risk: A delayed or obstructed rearview camera display can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

  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. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3RUECON.

• Recall 20V802000Dec 21, 20209,094 vehicles
  SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

  Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles equipped with electric parking brakes. The rear brake calipers may leak brake fluid into the housing of the electric parking brake connected to the rear axle service brake system, allowing air to enter the hydraulic brake system.

  Risk: Air in the brake system can result in extended brake pedal travel, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: DVUSA will replace the rear brake calipers, free of charge. Owners notification letters were mailed on January 4, 2022. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3BREPB.

• Recall 20V663000Oct 28, 202047,667 vehicles
  STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 20V595000Sep 29, 20204,010 vehicles
  FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

  Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling 2019-2020 Mercedes Benz and Freightliner Sprinters. The fuel line clamps may loosen and result in a fuel leak.

  Risk: A fuel leak can increase the risk of a fire.

  Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will check the fuel hose clamp connections and tighten or replace the components as needed, free of charge. DVUSA issued owners an interim notification on November 9, 2020. The recall began January 19, 2021. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3SCHELLE.

Recent 2020 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Sep 5, 2025COEngine

   The Cooling fan behind the radiator also known as the clutch fan fell off the water pump. I realized it before it fell on the highway during rush hour and caused a major accident and engine failure. This is a very common problem and is all over the internet. In most cases it will take out the radiator, fan assembly, belts and hoses as reported by many on the internet when you google “MB sprinter clutch fan falls off”.

   NHTSA complaint #11685330 · source
2. Filed May 23, 2023WAAcceleration & Cruise Control

   On May 22, 2023 around 19:00 after driving my vehicle for nearly 90 minutes the vehicle no longer responded to the gas pedal being depressed by increasing acceleration. The vehicle would not go over 2,500 RPMs even with the gas pedal fully depressed. No warning were shown on the driver display or in the messaging system. The manual gear shifting did not work to raise or lower the gears while the vehicle was in this state. The vehicle display showed the vehicle in "D" for…

   NHTSA complaint #11523457 · source
3. Filed Jan 25, 2023DEEngine

   Engine destroyed by oil and water accumulation in intercooler that was pulled through the turbo and entered cylinder 6. Bent connecting rod on Cylinder 6, Bent and torn turbo vanes. Sudden loss of power while operating. Mercedes is replacing the entire motor. No Symptoms before the event, check engine light after first restart.

   NHTSA complaint #11503674 · source
4. Filed Jan 14, 2023WADriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   Driving in center lane of three lane interstate highway in the evening so it was dark. I had cruise control set at 55 mph. Nothing to my right and at least 100 yards of nothing in front of me. A white sedan speeds by in the left lane staying entirely in their left lane. My vehicle slammed on the brakes for some unknown reason almost causing the vehicle behind me to collide with me. A red triangle appeared on dash display for 2 seconds or so (not long enough to know what the…

   NHTSA complaint #11501821 · source
5. Filed Aug 2, 2022COEngine

   I am experiencing cold start hesitation and unresponsive throttle at high elevation. The vehicle takes up to 20-30 seconds to accelerate, and puts me in a dangerous situation (in a highway intersection, for example). Once the engine temperature is warm, this issue goes away.

   NHTSA complaint #11477168 · source
6. Filed Jun 22, 2021WADriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   The Lane Keep Assistant (LKA) as implemented is a severe safety flaw. The LKA only take input from lane markers on the road but fails to consider other issues such as other vehicles or construction. Several times on my most recent drive on interstate highways at 70-80 mph I was passing large semi trucks. The trucks drifted out of their lane and into my lane. I took emergency evasive action to steer my vehicle out of the way of the semi truck but the Lane Keep Assistant (LKA)…

   NHTSA complaint #11421862 · source
7. Filed Jan 20, 2021300 miDELightingOther / Unknown

   Color instrument cluster including color display between the speedometer and tachometer will not dim at night. The resulting wash of light makes seeing out the side mirrors or anything at night very difficult. Van is not safe to drive at night. Manufacture confirms the problem but has no fix.

   NHTSA complaint #11389057 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology