AI Damage2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500: common problems
Owners of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 filed 13 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and service brakes. The maker issued 137 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 13
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 137
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 46% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 23% of all complaints
- 3 Structure 15% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 15% of all complaints
- 5 Forward collision avoidance 15% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
- 7 Seats 8% of all complaints
- 8 Visibility 8% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 6 complaints (46% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 41.
- Service brakes: 3 complaints (23% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Structure: 2 complaints (15% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 10.
- Air bags: 2 complaints (15% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Forward collision avoidance: 2 complaints (15% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 6 | 0 | 41 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Structure | 2 | 1 | 10 |
| Air bags | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 15 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Backover prevention | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Communication | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 29 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The first hint of a problem was the brakes failed and the cruise control seemed to increase speed, but I'm not absolutely sure of this, but it felt like it. There are two Tiffin reps at Lazy Days, which I wrote about this, twice, and called leaving a message and they have not sought to get in touch with me.
The switching unit did not have any external damage and there was no evidence of corrosion on the electrical terminal. This vehicle has had all of the recommended service at the dealership. It was previously serviced on Nov. 5, 2025 for recall [phone](update controll unit software).
Warning messages included instructions not to shift gears, lane keeping assist and automatic braking disabled, "Steering Malfunction", and many other errors. We have a partial video showing part on the incident.
May 2023 MB did several recalls & software updates which MB USA headquarters said those changes could've affected the Cruise Control & Adaptive Cruise Control because these systems worked excellently until May '23, in my local MB Sprinter service. These systems have not worked more than 2% of the time.
The warning light remained illuminated for several miles before turning off. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on three occasions, where it was diagnosed that there was a low sensor, approximately 1.5 centimeters, and the sensor was adjusted. The fault code displayed was C174AFB on two diagnostic tests.
This vehicle suspends cruise control and breaking assist without notice. These systems become unavailable sometimes for days. While driving downhill, you suddenly lose speed control requiring excessive manual breaking. The problem is dangerous because you suddenly lose the ability to maintain cruise control.
The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4,900.
The dealer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the original dealer, Renegade RV (52216 IN-15, Bristol, [ZIP]) where the RV was purchased. Renegade RV was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.
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 9,846 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 27% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Sprinter 3500 has 18 complaints (19 years in the data). This year has 13, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
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…
- 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…
- Vehicles with SCR Generation 4
SCR/AdBlue® warning message cannot be reset with fault code P13DF00 or P300685 Complaint Vehicles with SCR Generation 4: SCR/AdBlue® warning message cannot be reset. Information: All fault codes in the AdBlue® (SCR)…
- Complaint Vehicles with SCR Generation 4
SCR/AdBlue® warning message cannot be reset. Information: All fault codes in the AdBlue® (SCR) control unit have been processed and corrected; however, fault codes P13DF00 and P300685 remain active and stored in the…
- 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…
- Clunking noise on load change or gear engagement Complaint Clunking noise can be heard on some load…
Clunking noise on load change or gear engagement Complaint Clunking noise can be heard on some load changes or when changing from N->R or N->D Cause Movement of transfer case splines Remedy Apply bearing retainer…
- The software for the communication module does not correspond to the latest series production configuration
For this reason, a remote software update to update the software for the communication module is planned for the affected vehicles. This update includes quality-enhancing optimizations for the communication module to…
NHTSA lists 137 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
- Sprinter 3500 20104 sources
- Sprinter 3500 20118 sources
- Sprinter 3500 201221 sources
- Sprinter 3500 201345 sources
- Sprinter 3500 201455 sources
- Sprinter 3500 201537 sources
- Sprinter 3500 2016132 sources
- Sprinter 3500 201788 sources
- Sprinter 3500 201854 sources
- Sprinter 3500 2019183 sources
- Sprinter 3500 2021134 sources
- Sprinter 3500 2022100 sources
- Sprinter 3500 2023122 sources
- Sprinter 3500 202494 sources
- Sprinter 3500 202539 sources
- Sprinter 3500 20267 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, service brakes, structure. Total complaints: 13. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: driver assists: adaptive cruise, lane keeping (23%), rust, corrosion (15%), warning lights, check engine (15%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500?
NHTSA lists 137 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 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 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 2020 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 2026-11-06.