2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 45 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500, most often about driver assistance & safety tech. There are 18 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
45
Recalls
18
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Median mileage
3,200 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech is the most-reported problem area, named in 14 of 45 complaints (31%).
  • Electrical System (9) and brakes (8) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 3,200 mi.
  • Owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury.
  • The 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 has 18 recalls on file.
  • It ranks 4th of 16 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 44% fewer complaints than the 2020 model year (80).

2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 problems by category

  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    14 complaints
  • Electrical System · 1 crash
    9 complaints
  • Brakes · 2 crashes
    8 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    7 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    5 complaints
  • Engine
    5 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    4 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    4 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    3 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    3 complaints
  • Steering · 1 crash
    3 complaints
  • Airbags
    2 complaints
  • Lighting
    2 complaints
  • Suspension
    1 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Electrical system9
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking8
Service brakes7
Unknown or other6
Engine5
Power train5
Forward collision avoidance: warnings4
Lane departure: assist4

When problems happen (mileage)

3Under 10k110k–30k130k–60k60k–100k100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 complaints that list mileage.

2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 recalls (18)

  • Recall 24V930000Dec 13, 2024697 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

    Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The instrument cluster illumination 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, "Controls and Displays."

    Risk: A display that is too bright can make it difficult for the driver to see critical safety information, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 31, 2025. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3BELKOM.

  • 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 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 23V806000Dec 1, 2023131 vehicles
    STRUCTURE:BODY

    Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and 2021 Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The topcoat paint formula may cause the windows and interior lashing rails to be insufficiently bonded to the vehicle.

    Risk: An insufficiently bonded window can detach during a crash, and objects secured to an insufficiently bonded interior lashing rail can detach, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the paint adhesion and repair it as necessary, free of charge. Depending on the extent of any damage, DVUSA may offer to repurchase the vehicle. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed February 5, 2024. Owner notification letters were mailed November 4, 2024. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3LACKHA.

  • Recall 23V444000Jun 26, 202320,500 vehicles
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

    Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2021 Freightliner Sprinter and 2021-2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Metris vehicles. The fuel pump may shutdown, which can result in a loss of drive power.

    Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 1, 2023. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is 4790205.

  • 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 22V491000Jul 11, 20222 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

    Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 vehicles. The generator wiring harness may be incorrectly connected to the electric power steering, which can result in an electrical surge.

    Risk: An electrical surge can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and correct the wiring harness connection, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 10, 2022. Owners may contact DVUSA at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3LE54ELE.

  • 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 22V131000Mar 8, 20222,153 vehicles
    SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:TORSION BAR

    Daimler Vans USA, LLC. (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The shim on the torsion bar was installed incorrectly during assembly.

    Risk: An incorrectly assembled torsion bar may fail at the connection between the torsion bar and linkage, resulting in a loss of vehicle stability, and increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will correct the position of the shim and replace the torsion bar linkages, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 16, 2022. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3VADREH.

  • Recall 22V073000Feb 9, 20222,564 vehicles
    EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

    Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) may be improperly stated on the tire and loading label. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 120, "Wheels and Rims-Other Than Passenger Cars."

    Risk: The operator may overload the vehicle, resulting in excessive tire wear and increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace, as necessary, the tire and loading information label. Additionally, tires will be inspected for excessive wear and replaced as necessary. All repairs will be conducted free of charge. Interim owner notifications were mailed to owners on March 4, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 21, 2022. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3RE58HIN.

  • Recall 21V934000Dec 1, 202130 vehicles
    STRUCTURE

    Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The spring-loaded rear step bolt fasteners were not properly tightened.

    Risk: Loose bolt fasteners may allow the rear step to separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will tighten the bolt fasteners and replace the console and attaching hardware, free of charge. Owners 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 VS3HECKTRI.

  • Recall 21V933000Dec 1, 202198 vehicles
    SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · STRUCTURE:BODY

    Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The front axle fender liner and brake hose may be too close, allowing the fender liner to contact and damage the brake hose.

    Risk: A damaged brake hose may leak brake fluid, extending the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the condition and clearance of the brake hose, modify the fender liner trim, and replace the brake hose as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 4, 2022. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3BAURAVE.

  • Recall 21V779000Oct 6, 202138 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

    Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. A cable duct may drop out of place due to unlatched engagement hooks inside the battery case. This may cause the starter-generator wiring harness to chafe against the transmission carrier, which could result in an electrical short-circuit.

    Risk: An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the engagement hooks on the affected cable duct with expanding rivets, free of charge. The recall began on November 2, 2021. Owners may contact DVUSA's customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3KABKAN.

  • Recall 21V513000Jul 7, 20211,514 vehicles
    SEAT BELTS · SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR · SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR

    Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Metris, and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles equipped with Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) seat belt assemblies. The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these assemblies fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

    Risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 21, 2021. Owners may contact DVUSA's customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

  • 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.

Recent 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 complaints

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

  1. Filed Jun 17, 2026NCLightingSteeringVisibility & Wipers
    2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. When the right turn signal is activated and the steering wheel is turned right, the windshield wipers activate unexpectedly. Diagnostic codes B230015 and B230615 are stored, indicating windshield wiper switch and wipe/wash malfunction. Concern appears related to the steering column multifunction switch/module. This affects driver visibility and steering-column control functions during turning/signaling.
    NHTSA complaint #11744838 · source
  2. Filed Apr 6, 2026NJBody & StructureBrakesLighting
    I am a Amazon driver and my dsp makes us drive with very bad safety hazards on the vehicle the step up platform on the vehicle is broken brakes are terrible and the airbag sensors and tire pressure sensors are not working and very bad.
    NHTSA complaint #11729522 · source
  3. Filed Apr 1, 2026TNCrashBrakesElectrical SystemSteering
    Got in a serious accident due to the crosswind assist malfunctioning totalled car and got tickets for bad driving when it wasnt my fault the car took control and I couldn't halo what happended - they arrested me thinking i was drunk (dont drink) it was a nighmare help!!!! I have court 4/29 - this is very time senansative!
    NHTSA complaint #11728470 · source
  4. Filed Jan 6, 2026NVElectrical SystemOther / Unknown
    Following Jayco and Entegra instructions, I delivered my coach to Blue Compass RV. It has now been more than SIX MONTHS out of service. Jayco Pre-Authorization has denied the required battery replacement and referred me to the battery manufacturer, even though Entegra bulletins and recall procedures identify and correct the conditions that caused the damage. Completed Recall and TSB Work Approved by Entegra and Jayco · 22-075 (TSB) A/C Electrical Connection Instructions,…
    NHTSA complaint #11709064 · source
  5. Filed Oct 15, 2025CAOther / Unknown
    While driving in the freeway, the crosswind assist feature over-engaged and skewed the vehicle dangerously while also drastically slowing the vehicle and causing a hazardous near collision with the following vehicle. The system is way too aggressive and cannot be turned off or desensitized.
    NHTSA complaint #11693693 · source
  6. Filed Oct 6, 2025LADriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System
    I had the same issues as identified in a current recall entitled: Model 907 Sprinter. Model Year 2019-2022 Update Instrument Cluster Software. In my case the instrument cluster remained non-functional upon vehicle start-up exactly like the recall with an added problem of the ignition push button would not shut off the vehicle. I was left with a vehicle I could not shut off without an operational instrument cluster. While my model year and model number match this recall, for…
    NHTSA complaint #11691714 · source
  7. Filed Aug 26, 2025TXBrakesTransmission & Drivetrain
    CRITICAL SAFETY CONCERN: Vehicle shifts into NEUTRAL during normal start sequence, could roll over passengers. Component of concern: Electronic "Wiper" stalk shifter is easily shifted into NEUTRAL during normal start sequence. Problem encountered several times in our 2021 Mercedes Sprinter- the stalk shifter is located directly in front of the "START/STOP" ignition button. To start the vehicle, you must: 1) Press and hold the brake 2) Reach under the shifter and press the…
    NHTSA complaint #11683080 · source
  8. Filed Jul 5, 2025NCDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    Brakes deployed and distance warning illuminated for a very brief instant at highway speed (70 mph) just when a vehicle traveling faster starts to overtake. Very scary! Luck to not have been hit on the right rear corner.
    NHTSA complaint #11671352 · source

Compare the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 with another vehicle →

Other 2021 Mercedes-Benz models

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