AI DamageMercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500 across 9 model years: 11 owner complaints and 267 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Forward collision avoidance 36% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 27% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 27% of all complaints
- 4 Equipment 18% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 18% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 18% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 9% of all complaints
- 8 Backover prevention 9% of all complaints
- Forward collision avoidance: 4 complaints (36% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (27% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 149.
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (27% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 88.
- Equipment: 2 complaints (18% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 86.
- Structure: 2 complaints (18% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 63.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 11 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forward collision avoidance | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 149 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 1 | 88 |
| Equipment | 2 | 0 | 86 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 63 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 24 |
| Backover prevention | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Lane departure | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 172 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 0 | 0 | 78 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 52 |
| Fuel system | 0 | 0 | 26 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 26 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Rollaway from park. Vehicle rolled forward and collision at right front.
I was driving and the vehicle began to smoke through the air conditioning vent and within 30 seconds flames of fire entered the vehicle and the vehicle was completely burned. I never received any recall regarding that malfunction and never saw any signal that this would happen.
At high altitudes (it's happened over 5000ft and not under that) while in 4x4 mode, the car occasionally just simply does not respond to throttle input while in drive.
The active distance assist inoperative appears when using the cruise control. This comes on when no traffic in front of the vehicle for 1 hour or less. Also Active Brake Assist functions limited - see operators Manual To reset: follow another vehicle for 5 minutes. This is Very Very Very frustrating and UNSAFE.
The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V695000 (Structure, Equipment) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue.
Cruse control will sometimes disengage and display these error messages: "Active Distance Assist Inoperative" "Active Brake Assist Functions Limited See Operator's Manual" Cruse control kicks out and the power cuts off abruptly. After some variable time the cruise control function will work again.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
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…
- Brakes may lock up when reversing at slow speeds Complaint When reversing slowly, the vehicle erroneously…
- Sprinter 907 with 725.0 (NAG3 Classic) Transmission ‑ Shudder during acceleration Complaint Shudder may be…
- Mercedes-Benz AG (“MBAG”), the manufacturer of Freightliner Sprinter vehicles, has determined that on…
- Complaint While driving through muddy / sandy/ off road terrain "4Matic Currently Unavailable" message on…
- Complaint Low Coolant warning with possible engine misfire caused by a leaking Charge Air Cooler…
- OM654 Engine Oil Consumption Complaint The customer may report repeated low engine oil level warnings in…
- Complaint The coolant warning lamp may be displayed in the instrument cluster
- Oil Leak at Crankcase Near the High-pressure Fuel Pump OM654 Complaint Visible oil leak at the crankcase…
- ASSYST PLUS service reminder appears earlier than expected due to vehicle operating conditions Complaint…
- Model 907 with all-wheel drive (A4M) – All-wheel drive inoperative Complaint The customer may report one…
- An authorized Mercedes-Benz eSprinter dealer will update the drivetrain control unit on the affected vehicles
Other models of this make
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.