AI Damage2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500: common problems
Owners of the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 filed 13 complaints with NHTSA, most often about steering and electrical system. The maker issued 58 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 13
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 58
What fails most often
- 1 Steering 31% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 23% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 8% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel/propulsion system 8% of all complaints
- 5 Engine and cooling 8% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
- 7 Latches, locks, linkages 8% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 8% of all complaints
- Steering: 4 complaints (31% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (23% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
- Engine: 1 complaints (8% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 8.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 1 complaints (8% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (8% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 13 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Fuel system | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Seat belts | 0 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated that it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 41,000.
The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed knock sensor, debris in the EGR valve, insufficient Selective Catalytic Reduction(SCR), and low DEF.
The contact inspected the rear tires and noticed that there was premature tire wear on the tread of both tires. The contact called the tire manufacturer who directed him to take the vehicle to an independent tire dealer for diagnostic testing where it was confirmed that the tires were undergoing premature wear.
The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of motive power, brakes, power steering, and engine functionality. The vehicle was pulled over and restarted and functioned as designed however, the failure recurred. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated.
The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V663000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called the local dealer who stated that parts were not yet available. The contact was informed the parts were backordered until May 30, 2022.
The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the vin was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.
Every 400 0r so miles the check engine light comes on. Codes are 19de00h and p16cc00 and p18f100 relating to the def burn. I have stopped at three mb dealerships. They look at code and reset system and tell me to drive the vehicle.
Lower power steering hose detaching from cooler causing loss of power steering. I have 8500 miles on the van. This is a known issue across all sprinter forums. I have to add a new clamp to fix the issue. Im so surprised to learn that mb have done nothing to fix that issue on all sprinter van...
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 9,843 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 27% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Sprinter 2500 has 23 complaints (19 years in the data). This year has 13, below average.
What to check before buying
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Unavailability of MB Apps Complaint A popup is seen on the HU with the message "data connection…
Unavailability of MB Apps Complaint A popup is seen on the HU with the message "data connection temporarily not available". Cause MB Apps is officially sundowned for all vehicles with NTG5 Head Unit Variant. Remedy No…
- Mercedes-Benz AG (“MBAG”), the manufacturer of Freightliner Sprinter vehicles, has determined that on…
Mercedes-Benz AG (“MBAG”), the manufacturer of Freightliner Sprinter vehicles, has determined that on certain MY17-18 Freightliner Sprinter vehicles, the diesel particulate filter may crack due to an insufficient weld…
- Complaint While driving through muddy / sandy/ off road terrain "4Matic Currently Unavailable" message on…
Complaint While driving through muddy / sandy/ off road terrain "4Matic Currently Unavailable" message on the dash Cause This vehicle is not equipped with a fixed force distribution AWD, rather force is only applied to…
- ASSYST PLUS service reminder appears earlier than expected due to vehicle operating conditions Complaint…
ASSYST PLUS service reminder appears earlier than expected due to vehicle operating conditions Complaint The ASSYST PLUS service reminder appears earlier than expected. The customer or dealer may report that the…
- OM642 DPF Filter Cracked or Broken Complaint Vehicle will not start or exhibits noisy exhaust
Check Engine Lamp (CEL) is on. Multiple control unit communication and system faults may be present, including but not limited to: 134800, 134900, 11B300, 11EC00, 15E100, 155700, 162500. Additional events codes may…
- Complaint Complaint A
The engine is jolting/bucking between 1700 and 1900 rpm. Complaint B: One or more mechanical related fault codes for EGR Valve stored in CDI control unit, with possible Check Engine Light. Review list of mechanical…
- Complaint Rattling noise from underneath the vehicle
Cause One or more of the following conditions may be present: 1. The exhaust bracket from the DPF to the transmission is cracked or broken. • See Pic. 1 for an example of a broken bracket. 2. Transmission bell housing…
- The check engine light is illuminated, or the AdBlue warning is active, with recorded faults related to…
The check engine light is illuminated, or the AdBlue warning is active, with recorded faults related to AdBlue quality or concentration. Complaint Customer reports an illuminated check engine light and or an AdBlue…
- EGR Valve Diagnosis & Cleaning (and EGR Cooler Cleaning) – OM642, Sprinter 906/907 Complaint A
The engine is jolting/bucking between 1700 and 1900 rpm. Complaint B: One or more mechanical related fault codes for EGR Valve stored in CDI control unit, with possible Check Engine Light. Review list of mechanical…
- Engine Oil Level Cannot Be Checked via Instrument Cluster Service Menu Complaint Sometimes the engine oil…
Engine Oil Level Cannot Be Checked via Instrument Cluster Service Menu Complaint Sometimes the engine oil level cannot be determined using the instrument cluster's service menu. The following mes- sages may be…
- Complaint Transmission control unit Y3/8n4 (fully integrated transmission control unit (VGS)) not listed…
Complaint Transmission control unit Y3/8n4 (fully integrated transmission control unit (VGS)) not listed in quick test and/or no communication possible with VGS. Cause Transmission control unit Y3/8n4 Remedy For…
- Mercedes-Benz AG, the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans, has determined that on certain Model…
Mercedes-Benz AG, the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans, has determined that on certain Model Years 2017-2021 Sprinter vehicles, the In Use Monitor Performance Ratio (“IUMPR”) function of the OBD system might…
NHTSA lists 58 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
- Sprinter 2500 201014 sources
- Sprinter 2500 201114 sources
- Sprinter 2500 20128 sources
- Sprinter 2500 201321 sources
- Sprinter 2500 201438 sources
- Sprinter 2500 201523 sources
- Sprinter 2500 2016116 sources
- Sprinter 2500 201858 sources
- Sprinter 2500 2019215 sources
- Sprinter 2500 2020217 sources
- Sprinter 2500 2021171 sources
- Sprinter 2500 2022136 sources
- Sprinter 2500 2023123 sources
- Sprinter 2500 2024102 sources
- Sprinter 2500 202542 sources
- Sprinter 2500 20267 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: steering, electrical system, engine. Total complaints: 13. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (38%), loss of power / limp mode (23%), steering or power steering problems (23%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500?
NHTSA lists 58 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2017 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.