CSR

Mercedes-Benz · NHTSA safety record

2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500

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

9

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 have filed 9 safety complaints with NHTSA between December 2021 and September 2024. The most complained-about system is forward collision avoidance, named in 3 of them (33%). The typical failure was reported at 22,880 miles, the median across the 1 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 17 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (17)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

24V930000 · December 13, 2024

The defect
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The instrument cluster illumination may not be adjustable and appear too bright in certain lighting conditions. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."
The risk
A display that is too bright can make it difficult for the driver to see critical safety information, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 31, 2025. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3BELKOM.

Daimler Vans USA, LLC · up to 697 vehicles across all model years covered

STRUCTURE:CRITICAL FASTENERS

23V876000 · December 21, 2023

The defect
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and 2019-2021 Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The partition wall may be missing bolts, allowing the wall to detach during a crash.
The risk
A detached partition wall can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and secure the partition wall as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 16, 2024. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3TREWAN.

Daimler Vans USA, LLC · up to 387 vehicles across all model years covered

STRUCTURE:CRITICAL FASTENERS

23V875000 · December 21, 2023

The defect
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The longitudinal frame members may be missing reinforcement fasteners, reducing vehicle stability and decreasing the structural integrity of the third-row seats.
The risk
Reduced stability increases the risk of a crash. Additionally, the third-row seat mountings can fail, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and repair the frame members as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 4, 2024. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3ROHRAH.

Daimler Vans USA, LLC · up to 3,739 vehicles across all model years covered

STRUCTURE:BODY

23V806000 · December 1, 2023

The defect
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and 2021 Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The topcoat paint formula may cause the windows and interior lashing rails to be insufficiently bonded to the vehicle.
The risk
An insufficiently bonded window can detach during a crash, and objects secured to an insufficiently bonded interior lashing rail can detach, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect the paint adhesion and repair it as necessary, free of charge. Depending on the extent of any damage, DVUSA may offer to repurchase the vehicle. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed February 5, 2024. Owner notification letters were mailed November 4, 2024. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3LACKHA.

Daimler Vans USA, LLC · up to 131 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

23V444000 · June 26, 2023

The defect
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2021 Freightliner Sprinter and 2021-2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Metris vehicles. The fuel pump may shutdown, which can result in a loss of drive power.
The risk
A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 1, 2023. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is 4790205.

Daimler Vans USA, LLC · up to 20,500 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

23V204000 · March 24, 2023

The defect
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and 2019-2021 Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The instrument cluster may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started.
The risk
A blank instrument panel will not show critical information, such as vehicle speed, fuel gauge, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will update the instrument cluster software on the affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 5, 2023. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3KOMBAUS.

Daimler Vans USA, LLC · up to 6,857 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:INTERNAL:PARK PAWL

22V796000 · October 21, 2022

The defect
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles equipped with a manual parking brake and 7-speed automatic transmission. The guide bushing on the parking pawl may fatigue, which can cause the parking pawl not to engage and result in vehicle rollaway.
The risk
Vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will update the software of the electronic stability, transmission control, direct select module, and electronic ignition switch control units, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2023. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's numbers for this recall are 22V2790611, 22V2790612, and 22V2790613.

Daimler Vans USA, LLC · up to 124,305 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

22V360000 · May 20, 2022

The defect
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Freightliner Sprinter, Mercedes-Benz Metris, and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. An error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system.
The risk
A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
The communication module software will be updated through an Over-the-Air (OTA) update, or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 13, 2022. Owners may contact DVUSA at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS2SIMKOM/VS3SIMKOM.

Daimler Vans USA, LLC · up to 19,937 vehicles across all model years covered · fixed by software update

BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION

22V281000 · April 27, 2022

The defect
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Freightliner Sprinter and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The rearview camera may not display the rearview image due to a software error. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
The risk
An inoperable rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 20, 2022. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3KOMRUE.

Daimler Vans USA, LLC · up to 12,086 vehicles across all model years covered

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:TORSION BAR

22V131000 · March 8, 2022

The defect
Daimler Vans USA, LLC. (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The shim on the torsion bar was installed incorrectly during assembly.
The risk
An incorrectly assembled torsion bar may fail at the connection between the torsion bar and linkage, resulting in a loss of vehicle stability, and increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will correct the position of the shim and replace the torsion bar linkages, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 16, 2022. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3VADREH.

Daimler Vans USA, LLC · up to 2,153 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

22V073000 · February 9, 2022

The defect
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) may be improperly stated on the tire and loading label. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 120, "Wheels and Rims-Other Than Passenger Cars."
The risk
The operator may overload the vehicle, resulting in excessive tire wear and increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace, as necessary, the tire and loading information label. Additionally, tires will be inspected for excessive wear and replaced as necessary. All repairs will be conducted free of charge. Interim owner notifications were mailed to owners on March 4, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 21, 2022. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3RE58HIN.

Daimler Vans USA, LLC · up to 2,564 vehicles across all model years covered

STRUCTURE

21V934000 · December 1, 2021

The defect
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The spring-loaded rear step bolt fasteners were not properly tightened.
The risk
Loose bolt fasteners may allow the rear step to separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will tighten the bolt fasteners and replace the console and attaching hardware, free of charge. Owners notification letters were mailed February 11, 2022. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3HECKTRI.

Daimler Vans USA, LLC · up to 30 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

21V933000 · December 1, 2021

The defect
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The front axle fender liner and brake hose may be too close, allowing the fender liner to contact and damage the brake hose.
The risk
A damaged brake hose may leak brake fluid, extending the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect the condition and clearance of the brake hose, modify the fender liner trim, and replace the brake hose as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 4, 2022. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3BAURAVE.

Daimler Vans USA, LLC · up to 98 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

21V779000 · October 6, 2021

The defect
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. A cable duct may drop out of place due to unlatched engagement hooks inside the battery case. This may cause the starter-generator wiring harness to chafe against the transmission carrier, which could result in an electrical short-circuit.
The risk
An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the engagement hooks on the affected cable duct with expanding rivets, free of charge. The recall began on November 2, 2021. Owners may contact DVUSA's customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3KABKAN.

Daimler Vans USA, LLC · up to 38 vehicles across all model years covered

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR

21V513000 · July 7, 2021

The defect
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Metris, and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles equipped with Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) seat belt assemblies. The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these assemblies fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
The risk
An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 21, 2021. Owners may contact DVUSA's customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

Daimler Vans USA, LLC · up to 1,514 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

21V411000 · June 2, 2021

The defect
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The MBUX multimedia system software may cause the display to remain black, or reboot after startup. This could result in the rearview camera image not displaying properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
The risk
A backup camera that displays a blank image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The remedy
The multimedia system software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. DVUSA issued owners an interim notification on July 23, 2021. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3UXPOBOX.

Daimler Vans USA, LLC · up to 33,437 vehicles across all model years covered · fixed by software update

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

21V410000 · June 2, 2021

The defect
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling 2019-2021 Mercedes Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles equipped with swivel seats. The wiring harnesses for the front seats may have been routed incorrectly and could become jammed and damaged in the swivel seat frames.
The risk
Damage to the wiring harness can prevent the side air bag within the seat to deploy inadvertently or not deploy as designed, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
Dealers will attach the mounting clip to the correct position, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 11, 2021. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3DREHSEL.

Daimler Vans USA, LLC · up to 4,078 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 9.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 3 33%
POWER TRAIN 2 22%
SERVICE BRAKES 2 22%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2 22%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2 22%
ENGINE 1 11%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2023 at 3.

2021 2023 2024
2021 to 2024

In owners' own words

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

SERVICE BRAKES

crash

On UPWARD slope in 4WD on icy intersection ,proceeding less than 5 mph, emergency braking as a car dead stopped at intersection on green light, hit brakes hard and brake pedal and gas pedal both engaged,, van kept moving forward,, pumped once same effect, ran in to rear of stopped car at 2-3 mph.. I was wearing work boots and gas pedal and brake pedal both at same elevation. brake pedal to close to the gas pedal.. Vehicle is a 4 wd 2500 series van. I have used van for 5,000 miles so I am used to the vehicles characteristics. Practiced a recreation a few times with same result, brake and gas pedal both get depressed upon panic hit with foot.

NHTSA complaint 11452961. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The Distronic Cruise Control stops working and then will start working again several times on long trips. After research it appears if the radar doesn't detect anything in front of your vehicle for an hour it thinks it is inoperable and and shuts the Distronic Cruise Control off and it cannot be reengaged. If it detect a vehicles in front of you for four minutes or more it will reset the radar and your Distronic Cruise Control can be turned on again. This is dangerous as it requires you to follow closely behind another vehicle for at least four minutes to reset. Out west where I live there are a lot of road stretches' where you will have little to no traffic for over an hour. Mercedes needs

NHTSA complaint 11612105, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
Vehicle is unable to move apparently because of a design flaw that allows water to travel down cables into the EIS as described here [XXX] and here [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint 11607908. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
On long trips (when you need cruise control the most) the adaptive cruise control will (seemingly at random) stop working with a warning about the active distance assist and active brake assist. It has happened in all situations from heavy traffic to long distances of no other cars on the road. It stays non-functional for anywhere from a few minutes to several days. It has happened many times. The dealers are clueless. Saying nonsense like "I'm not aware of this problem." even though the Internet is filled with reports of the exact issue.

NHTSA complaint 11593062. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Fuel pump recall July 5. No resolution. Vehicle deemed unsafe per recall. Please advise. Have contacted Mercedes Benz and also local dealer. No resolution at this time. What are the next steps?

NHTSA complaint 11547376. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
This recall has been outstanding since July. It is now 2 months later and there is no remedy or repair noted for this safety concern. What are the next steps for resolution of this situation?

NHTSA complaint 11544754. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

22,880 miles

The contact's husband owns a 2021 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the brakes and brakes rotors were serviced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the brakes and brakes rotors were serviced for a second time. The contact stated the brake caliper had exposed out of the vehicle and the brakes were dragging. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 22,880.

NHTSA complaint 11513923. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2019 8 38

Other 2021 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.

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Independent developer and analyst