AI Damage2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500: common problems
Owners of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 filed 14 complaints with NHTSA, most often about vehicle speed control and powertrain. The maker issued 44 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 14
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 44
What fails most often
- 1 Vehicle speed control 29% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 21% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 21% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 14% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 14% of all complaints
- 6 Seat belts 14% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 14% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel/propulsion system 7% of all complaints
- Vehicle speed control: 4 complaints (29% of all).
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (21% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Steering: 3 complaints (21% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Engine: 2 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 14 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Lane departure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Fuel system | 0 | 0 | 2 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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 non-compliance by…
There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
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 light was illuminated.
We did not have a warning light prior to the incident. It was instant, we lost all of the power steering fluid and instantly lost power steering.
No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed failures with the EGR valve and EGR cooler. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The VIN was not available.
it grovernor at 7o mph which you can not pass. you can not go up some hills at the speed limit it will not idle it turn off all the time, to keep the van idling you have to put it in drive and put on the e brake and hope it does not move the back doors are always lock and when you unlock the back doors, the van turn…
The driver's side seat belt is slow to retract or doesn't retract at all. Started back in May 2022, one month after the warranty expired with less than 20k miles on it. Originally, Mercedes Benz of El Cajon said they would fix, then declined.
The contact stated that the air conditioning was draining into the interior cabin allowing moisture to the carpet, wall panels, and head liner. The RV was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the air conditioning seal was fractured and needed to be replaced.
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 9,551 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 26% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Sprinter 2500 has 23 complaints (19 years in the data). This year has 14, below average.
What to check before buying
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine 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…
- 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…
- EGR Valve Diagnosis and Cleaning Procedure using TUNAP 926® on 906, 907 Sprinter with OM642 Diesel Engine…
EGR Valve Diagnosis and Cleaning Procedure using TUNAP 926® on 906, 907 Sprinter with OM642 Diesel Engine Complaint Complaint A: The engine is jolting/bucking between 1700 and 1900 rpm. Complaint B: One or more…
NHTSA lists 44 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 201771 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 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: vehicle speed control, powertrain, steering. Total complaints: 14. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (36%), loss of power / limp mode (29%), seat belts (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500?
NHTSA lists 44 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 2018 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 2018 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.