CSR

Mercedes Benz · NHTSA safety record

2015 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2500

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

23

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2015 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2500 have filed 23 safety complaints with NHTSA between February 2015 and October 2025. The most complained-about system is the steering, named in 4 of them (17%). The typical failure was reported at 54,000 miles, the median across the 12 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 14 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (14)

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

20V663000 · October 28, 2020

The defect
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Mercedes Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The hydraulic power steering return line hoses may detach at their connection points under certain operating conditions, causing hydraulic fluid to leak.
The risk
The sudden loss of power steering assist and hydraulic steering fluid leaking onto the roadway may increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will check the return line connections of the power steering system, correcting it as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2020. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this campaign is NV3LETULPE.

Daimler Vans USA, LLC · up to 47,667 vehicles across all model years covered

SEATS

19V238000 · March 26, 2019

The defect
Vantage Mobility International, LLC (Vantage) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit Van, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2007 Ford F-250-based shuttle vehicles equipped with Freedman GO-3S foldaway seats. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
The risk
In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
The remedy
Vantage has notified owners, instructing them to contact Freedman for a repair kit, free of charge. The recall began March 25, 2019. Owners may contact Freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540.

Vantage Mobility International, LLC · up to 12 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

19V004000 · January 8, 2019

The defect
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy
DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 15, 2019. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

Daimler Vans USA, LLC · up to 88,388 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

19V003000 · January 8, 2019

The defect
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the driver frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy
DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall is began March 15, 2019. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

Daimler Vans USA, LLC · up to 71,301 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT

17V786000 · December 8, 2017

The defect
Midwest Automotive Designs, LLC (Midwest) is recalling certain Custom Vans and Camper Van recreational vehicles built on 2014-2017 Mercedes Benz Sprinter chassis and 2016-2017 RAM Promaster chassis. These vehicles are equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' fire extinguishers that may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
The risk
In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy
Midwest will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fire extinguisher with a different brand, free of charge. The recall began on December 11, 2017. Owners may contact Kidde customer service for their replacement extinguisher at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information.

Midwest Automotive Designs, LLC · up to 550 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

17V094000 · February 10, 2017

The defect
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The affected vehicles were manufactured without a driveshaft catch strap, allowing a loose driveshaft to strike the fuel tank. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
The risk
A loose driveshaft may strike and puncture the gas tank, resulting in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy
DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will install a driveshaft catch strap, free of charge. The recall began on April 27, 2017. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

Daimler Vans USA, LLC · up to 2 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS

17V093000 · February 10, 2017

The defect
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 and Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vans. These vehicles were manufactured without a reinforcement plate and protective bracket on the air bag control unit. As a result, the air bag control unit may not remain functional after the initial impact, possibly preventing additional air bags from deploying in response to a secondary impact.
The risk
If additional air bags do not deploy as intended, the occupants are at an increased risk of injury.
The remedy
DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will install a reinforcement plate and protective bracket around the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2017. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

Daimler Vans USA, LLC · up to 15,338 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

17V092000 · February 10, 2017

The defect
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles were manufactured without a protective plate on the front of the gas tank and a foam ring at the filler neck. As such, these vehicles may not comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
The risk
Without the protective plate and the foam ring installed, impacts may damage the tank resulting in a fuel leak that can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy
DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began on June 6, 2017. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

Daimler Vans USA, LLC · up to 2 vehicles across all model years covered

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

16V351000 · May 24, 2016

The defect
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured May 31, 2015, to April 30, 2016, and 2015-2016 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured May 1, 2015, to April 30, 2016. The affected vehicles are configured to have super-high roofs, but may not be equipped with the required crash pads.
The risk
If the required crash pads are missing, it can increase the risk of injury to a front passenger seat occupant if they are unbelted.
The remedy
DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will install the required crash-pads, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2016. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

Daimler Vans USA, LLC · up to 3 vehicles across all model years covered

STRUCTURE:BODY

16V261000 · April 29, 2016

The defect
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Mercedes Benz and Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured April 1, 2015, to October 31, 2015. The affected vehicles may have had multiple layers of paint applied, and as a result, in a crash, the windows may separate from the vehicle when the outer layer of paint peels from the layer below.
The risk
If the windows separate from the vehicle in a crash, the occupants are at a greater risk of injury.
The remedy
DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will remove the windows and inspect the paintwork, repainting the vehicles as necessary, free of charge. This recall began August 4, 2016. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-770-705-2070.

Daimler Vans USA, LLC · up to 55 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

16V093000 · February 18, 2016

The defect
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vans manufactured April 29, 2015, to December 15, 2015. The affected vehicles have a tire pressure label that incorrectly states a higher maximum load capacity than the vehicle is designed for.
The risk
The vehicle may be overloaded if loaded to the incorrect weight shown on the label, possibly resulting in axle or tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
DVUSA will notify owners, and Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner dealers will replace the incorrect tire pressure label, free of charge. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

Daimler Vans USA, LLC · up to 2,278 vehicles across all model years covered

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

15V261000 · May 5, 2015

The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC - DBA Sprinter (Mercedes) is recalling certain model year 2015 Sprinter 2500 and Sprinter 3500 vehicles manufactured February 28, 2014, to January 22, 2015. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from around the chain tensioner gasket area.
The risk
Leaking oil may drip onto a hot engine surface, increasing the risk of a fire. Additionally, the leaking oil may be a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Mercedes will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chain tensioner gasket, free of charge. The recall began May 18, 2015. Owners may contact Mercedes customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Note: This recall is an expansion of 14V-764.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC - DBA Sprinter · up to 1,335 vehicles across all model years covered

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

15V082000 · February 10, 2015

The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC - DBA Sprinter (Sprinter) is recalling certain model year 2015 Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2014, to October 14, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the abutting wedge, a component attached to the door jamb to make opening the door easier after a severe frontal impact, may have been installed incorrectly.
The risk
If a vehicle that has an incorrectly installed abutting wedge is involved in a severe frontal accident, a greater force may be necessary to open the doors, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
Sprinter will notify owners, and dealers will check the installation of the abutting wedge, correcting it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in March 2015. Owners may contact Sprinter customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC - DBA Sprinter · up to 5,586 vehicles across all model years covered

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

14V764000 · December 1, 2014

The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC - DBA Sprinter (Mercedes) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Sprinter 2500, and Sprinter 3500 vehicles manufactured February 28, 2014, to November 21, 2014. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from around the chain tensioner gasket area.
The risk
Leaking oil may drip onto a hot engine surface, increasing the risk of a fire. Additionally, the leaking oil may be a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Mercedes will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chain tensioner gasket, free of charge. The recall began on December 19, 2014. Owners may contact Mercedes customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Mercedes' number for this recall is 2014120003.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC - DBA Sprinter · up to 8,279 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (1)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Failure

PE20014

Closed preliminary evaluation · opened September 21, 2020 · closed March 30, 2021 · led to recall 21V042000

the air brakes, the hydraulic brakes

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by Daimler Vans USA, LLC (Daimler) as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers to identify incidents related to Rear Wheel Speed Sensors (RWSS) failures. ODI's analysis identified 6,710 incidents of RWSS failure (unique VINs) in MY 2012-2018 Mercedes- Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles upfitted to campers or recreational vehicles (RVs) representing 81 percent of all Sprinter RWSS reports. Complaint and warranty analysis indicated that the majority of incidents (approximately 99%) were related to RWSS moisture intrusion condition in the Sprinter 3500 5-ton variant, which accounts for 98 percent of upfit campers, where moisture build-up and crystal dendrite formation develop in parked RVs and lead to sensor failures. According to the Daimler Information Request (IR) response, if the wheel speed information is detected as implausible by the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) control unit, the ESP system enters a failsafe mode where:-Driver torque requests are no longer accepted;-Cruise control, if used, would be deactivated; -The ESP/ABS system shuts off; and -Multiple warning lamps and messages advise the operator to take the vehicle to the workshop. While the majority of reports involved only ABS and/or ESP warning lights and messages on the instrument cluster due to faulty sensor signals triggering a failsafe mode, some reports cited intermittent sensor failures resulting in increased vehicle speed while in cruise control and degraded ABS or ESP. Degraded ESP functionality may impact driving stability of the 5-ton vehicle.On Feb 3, 2021, following discussion with ODI, Daimler submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a defect in the RWSS disabling the ESP control unit functions in approximately 48,667 MY 2012 through 2018 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter 3500 vehicles manufactured from Jan 4, 2012 through Oct 25, 2018 (Recall 21V-042). In its DIR, Daimler indicated that RWSS sensor failures are prevalent in camper vans due to sustained periods of non-use, during which time the moisture may not dry out, remaining inside the plastic housing package. If the moisture within the RWSS dries and the RWSS returns to normal operation, the failsafe mode and the warning lights will disappear at the next ignition cycle, but the sensor fault remains stored within the ESP control unit and can be accessed through a diagnostic evaluation. ODI will continue to monitor field experience in Sprinter non-RVs and Sprinter 2500 RVs 3-ton and 3.5-ton variants (approximately 626 vehicles).Daimler will notify owners of the recalled vehicles and advise them to take their vehicle to a Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter dealer, who will replace the RWSS with a repackaged sensor with high robustness against moisture intrusion. Daimler began notifying dealers and owners in Feb 2021. This Preliminary Evaluation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following ID numbers:11352380 11351299 11350521 11348969 11342776 11342464 11341988 11341151 11340388 11338230 11337921 11331832 11331829 11331476 11331427 11331066 11328671 11325768 11325693 11322814 11322346 11320295 11319376 11317336 11311647 11310621 11308318 11254223 11253828 11252220 11196530 11194330 11164250 11145019 11141273 11139000 11138785 11124129 11094122 11394837 11390889 11390039 11389262 11387883 11387713 11386418 11383887 11383866 11382947 11377384 11376615 11376973 11375781 11375403 11374997 11374151 11373892 11373111 11366293 11365920 11365594 11365355 11365194 11364253 11364346 11363990 11363787 11362948 113629

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 23.

STEERING 4 17%
AIR BAGS 3 13%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 3 13%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2 9%
ENGINE 2 9%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2 9%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 1 4%
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL 1 4%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 1 4%
PARKING BRAKE 1 4%
POWER TRAIN 1 4%
SEAT BELTS 1 4%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2025 at 6.

2015 2025
2015 to 2025

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

POWER TRAIN

crash

For about a year occasionally when I put my van in park it rolls away mostly within approx.5 seconds thankfully all the times this happened I was able to jump back in to hit the brake pedal. I told the dealer the problem about 1 month ago they looked into it and said they could not find any problem.Yesterday for the first time my van rolled out of park approx.3 minutes later and collided with my other vehicle.I was able to see this happen and the time it took to roll away in park do to the fact I have video surveillance.I am at this point putting a chock behind the tire til I can figure out what to do.

NHTSA complaint 11634707. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

PARKING BRAKE

towed · 69,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500. WHILE PARKING ON A HILL WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE APPLIED, THE BRAKE FAILED AND THE VEHICLE STRUCK A CURB IN REVERSE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. AT A LATER DATE, WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE REAR WHEELS SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PARK THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF HANOVER (LOCATED AT 1877 WASHINGTON ST, HANOVER, MA 02339, (781) 924-4200) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A SPRING HAD FRACTURED AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE

NHTSA complaint 11253423, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
one or more of the rear-wheel speed sensors may experience an electrical failure, which potentially could lead to a disablement of the Electronic Stability Control (“ESP”) control unit functions. If ESP control unit functions are disabled, vehicle driving stability may be impacted under certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA complaint 11691804. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEAT BELTS
We rent this vehicle, and they hand-made installed additional seatbelt on the back of the van on top of a wooden structure, and they are renting this vehicle to others, claiming that it has 3 seating. This is a very big safety hazard.

NHTSA complaint 11671504. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Catastrophic engine failure one week after DEF warranty service following class action lawsuit.

NHTSA complaint 11662702. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

180,000 miles

The contact's employer owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started in the morning, there was a small puddle of fuel pooling under the fuel tank lid. The contact was not aware of any warning light being illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the leak was from the fuel filler neck and the fuel filler neck needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V092000 (Fuel System, Diesel). The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not

NHTSA complaint 11652614, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING
Technician detected a leak on the power steering cable on my Sprinter [XXX] that a previous recall for the same model year as mine but the VIN is not currently associated with the recall. The defect is apparently the same, however, I am required to pay the maintenance to fix it for $657 How can I get this to be covered or reimbursed by the recall? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint 11639108. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2500

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2024 12 4
2023 17 7
2022 39 7
2021 45 18
2020 80 22
2019 67 42
2018 14 9
2017 13 7
2016 28 15
2014 38 6
2013 21 3
2012 8 2
2011 14 4
2010 14 6

Other 2015 Mercedes Benz models

Every Mercedes Benz on this site — 216 vehicles, 576 recall campaigns and 1 open investigation .

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst