AI Damage2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500: common problems
Owners of the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 filed 45 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and forward collision avoidance. The maker issued 126 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 45
- involving a crash
- 2
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 126
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 20% of all complaints
- 2 Forward collision avoidance 20% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 16% of all complaints
- 4 Lane departure 16% of all complaints
- 5 Engine 11% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 11% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 9% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel/propulsion system 7% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 9 complaints (20% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 26.
- Forward collision avoidance: 9 complaints (20% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Service brakes: 7 complaints (16% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Lane departure: 7 complaints (16% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Engine: 5 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 24.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 45 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 9 | 1 | 26 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 9 | 0 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 7 | 2 | 2 |
| Lane departure | 7 | 0 | 1 |
| Engine | 5 | 0 | 24 |
| Powertrain | 5 | 0 | 10 |
| Structure | 4 | 0 | 13 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 | 10 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| Steering | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Seats | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Equipment | 2 | 0 | 11 |
| Air bags | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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!!!!
Delivery driver parked at top of customer's driveway. Driver placed van in park and engaged the ebrake. Driver went to rear of vehicle, retrieved customer's package, and exited the van. Driver was handing customer the package when the driver and customer heard clicking sounds coming from van.
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.
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.
Completed Recall and TSB Work Approved by Entegra and Jayco · 22-075 (TSB) A/C Electrical Connection Instructions, September 2022. Replaces WAGO connectors. · 22-076 (TSB) Firefly Terminator G4 Tap Connector, September 2022. Corrects communication errors within the lithium battery network.
Sprinter hood came unlatched and flew up smashing the windshield. Luckily we were able to pull over safely.
This disables several onboard systems that assist in vehicle control, including blind spot detection, and collision warning systems. Looking at the sensor - it completely separated at the connector by the wheel hub. The surrounding area showed no signs of unusual trauma or deterioration.
The crosswind assist system is unsafe, it make the vehicle unstable when activated. Since new I took to the dealership many times and it never was fixed. And the line assist system many times do not let me turn right because it not see a broken line painted on the road.
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 5,630 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 15% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Sprinter 2500 has 23 complaints (19 years in the data). This year has 45, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Lane departure. Windshield camera: calibration after windshield replacement.
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…
- Brakes may lock up when reversing at slow speeds Complaint When reversing slowly, the vehicle erroneously…
Brakes may lock up when reversing at slow speeds Complaint When reversing slowly, the vehicle erroneously triggers an emergency braking event, causing the brakes to lock up. Engine may not start following a key cycle…
- 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…
- Model 907 with all-wheel drive (A4M) – All-wheel drive inoperative Complaint The customer may report one…
Model 907 with all-wheel drive (A4M) – All-wheel drive inoperative Complaint The customer may report one or more of the following: • All-wheel drive is unavailable or inoperative. • Rear wheel slip during acceleration…
- Acoustic Warning or message occurring when a closed sliding door is not recognized Complaint Customer may…
Acoustic Warning or message occurring when a closed sliding door is not recognized Complaint Customer may state the warning message or indicator accompanied by acoustic tone alerting the sliding door is ajar when the…
- Complaint ASSYST values in XENTRY actual values and workshop menu of instrument cluster are implausibly…
Complaint ASSYST values in XENTRY actual values and workshop menu of instrument cluster are implausibly excessive. Infor-mation: According to ASSYST values in XENTRY Diagnosis and the instrument cluster workshop menu…
- Fuel Level Unchanged After Refueling Complaint The customer reports that the fuel gauge shows inaccurate…
Fuel Level Unchanged After Refueling Complaint The customer reports that the fuel gauge shows inaccurate readings or remains unchanged after refueling. Cause A. The Fuel Supply Control Unit (FSCU) fails to detect a…
- 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…
- Check engine light with fault code P3005CA in MRD1 (CDI) Complaint The check engine light is on, with a…
Check engine light with fault code P3005CA in MRD1 (CDI) Complaint The check engine light is on, with a possiblility in a reduction of power and the presence of soot in the exhaust system. Fault code P3005CA: The…
- Sprinter 907 - Rear Axle Noise Diagnosis Best Practices Complaint Various noises from area of rear axle…
Sprinter 907 - Rear Axle Noise Diagnosis Best Practices Complaint Various noises from area of rear axle while driving Cause A: Howling Noises The high‑frequency howling noise is caused by the normal meshing behavior of…
- Complaint Crease formation on genuine leather seat covers in vehicles with low mileage Cause • objects…
Complaint Crease formation on genuine leather seat covers in vehicles with low mileage Cause • objects left on the seats for extended periods of time (pressure marks) • objects wedged between the seat backrest and seat…
NHTSA lists 126 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 201858 sources
- Sprinter 2500 2019215 sources
- Sprinter 2500 2020217 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 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, forward collision avoidance, service brakes. Total complaints: 45. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: driver assists: adaptive cruise, lane keeping (13%), warning lights, check engine (13%), rust, corrosion (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500?
NHTSA lists 126 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 2021 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 2021 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.