ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 9 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500, most frequently naming the driver assistance, brakes and powertrain (other) categories. 17 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 136 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 2021 | 1 | 1 |
| Feb 2022 | 1 | 2 |
| Jun 2022 | 1 | 3 |
| Mar 2023 | 1 | 4 |
| Sep 2023 | 2 | 6 |
| Jun 2024 | 1 | 7 |
| Aug 2024 | 1 | 8 |
| Sep 2024 | 1 | 9 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Driver assistance337.5%
- Brakes225.0%
- Powertrain (other)225.0%
- Engine112.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
17 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govSTRUCTURE:CRITICAL FASTENERS
STRUCTURE:CRITICAL FASTENERS
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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 to change this software bug and provide another method for it's radar check warning.
- NHTSA ID
- 11612105
- Incident
- Aug 21, 2024
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 ID
- 11607908
- Incident
- Aug 12, 2024
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 ID
- 11593062
- Incident
- Jun 7, 2024
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 ID
- 11547376
- Incident
- Sep 29, 2023
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 ID
- 11544754
- Incident
- Sep 15, 2023
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 ID
- 11513923
- Incident
- Nov 1, 2021
- Mileage
- 22,880 mi
2021 MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO PARTS BEING UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM SAFETY RECALL.
- NHTSA ID
- 11471824
- Incident
- Jun 30, 2022
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 ID
- 11452961
- Incident
- Feb 14, 2022
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
POWER TRAIN
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 on low-traction surfaces. • Noise from the front axle area while driving. • Message in the instrument cluster indicating all-wheel drive is unavailable due to overheating. • Fault code P27874B - The temperature of the clutch is too high. There is a fault due to overtemperature may be stored in control unit N15 (Transfer Case). Cause An internal failure of the front axle differential may result in loss of torque transfer to the front wheels. In some cases, a fracture of the weld between the crown gear and differential housing may be present. Remedy Replace the front axle differential in accordance with: AR33.30-D-0525TSY – Replace Front Axle Differential.
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 vehicle did not reach the starting maintenance interval shown in vehicle documentation, option coding, sales literature, or the Owner's Manual. The service reminder may appear significantly earlier than anticipated even though no faults are stored and no malfunction is present in the vehicle. The remaining distance and remaining time continue to decrease normally until the service reminder is displayed. Cause This condition is not caused by a malfunction of ASSYST PLUS. ASSYST PLUS is a dynamic maintenance management system that continuously evaluates vehicle usage and opera-ting conditions to determine maintenance requirements. The starting maintenance interval specified by variant coding represents a maximum interval that may only be achieved under favorable operating conditions. Actual maintenance intervals may be significantly shorter depending on vehicle use. Vehicle operating conditions such as driving conditions, engine load, engine operating conditions, idling, short-trip operation, environmental influences, oil aging, and Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) regeneration activity may reduce the maintenance interval from its starting value. These conditions may accelerate engine oil aging through increased soot loading, fuel dilution, moisture accumulation, and additional engine operating stress. As a result, the remaining distance and remaining time until the next service may be reduced from the starting maintenance interval. Remedy Do not replace any parts. A due service must be assumed if the maintenance data calculated by ASSYST PLUS indicates that service is required.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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 refueling event B. The Fuel Level Sensor provides incorrect readings due to mechanical interference or installation issues
POWER TRAIN
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 fault codes in table below. NOTE: If one or more electrical related fault codes for EGR Valve are also present in CDI, utilize Complaint C. Review list of electrical fault codes PDF document in attachments. Complaint C: One or more electrical related fault codes for EGR Valve stored in CDI control unit, with possible Check Engine Light. Review list of electrical fault codes PDF document attached. NOTE: This LI supersedes LI14.20-N-073813, which is no longer valid. Cause Cause of Complaint A: Increased friction between the EGR Valve blade and seat due to soot deposits causing a delay of the EGR Valve being able to reach the target value of the EGR Valve position controller. NOTE: This causes the EGR Valve blade and potentially the boost pressure controller to oscillate. Cause of Complaint B: Soot deposits between the EGR Valve blade and seat leading to the EGR Valve no longer being able to meet the de-sired target of the EGR Valve position controller. Cause of Complaint C: Internal EGR Valve or other electrical faults related to the EGR Valve function. Remedy Remedy for Complaint A: Perform the following steps: 1. Disable the EGR Valve (Y27/17) by disconnecting the electrical connector. 2. Perform a test drive to check if the jolting/bucking issue resolves. 3. If the jolting/bucking is resolved, proceed to Remedy for Complaint B. 4. If jolting/bucking is still present, proceed with diagnosis to determine the root cause. Consider checking the follo-wing, but not limited to: •EGR system including the EGR Cooler, EGR Bypass Flap, EGR Temperature Sensor, and pipes for proper operati-on, excessive sooting and/or clogging, as well as EGR Bypass Flap vacuum element, switchover valve, and vacuum system. •Visually check the leak oil line or T-piece; reference LI07.00-N-059118.
STRUCTURE:BODY
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 door is completely closed Cause There are several reasons that lead to the failure occurring: - Mechanical damage through bending when loading and unloading - Worn contact plates --> After detachment of silver plating, the coper plate is corroded - Movement of sliding door/body when driving --> Contact pins do not always make contact with contact plate --> Central locking system fault message in instrument cluster Remedy In a problem case, replace contact switch for vehicles with +T50/+T55/+EL9 or contact plate with A4478201903. Remember to check the fit of the sliding doors and make any necessary adjustments as per AR72.16-S-1023E (447/448) and AR72.16-D-1023TS (907/910). Further valid damage codes: 82326 Contact switch for central locking system on sliding door 82347 Contact plate for central locking system on sliding door 53196 K/Z contact plate for central locking system on sliding door 82645 Contact switch for sliding door
POWER TRAIN
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, a larger jump (for example 20,000 km or 12,500 miles) has been detected within one ignition cycle that does not match the usual customer usage pattern/maintenance history. Cause Differences between the ASSYST memory in the control units for the drivetrain (N127) (CPC) and the instrument clus-ter (A1) (IC) Remedy 1. Connect 12 V charger (see AR54.10-D-1127TS for models 907). Note: An adequate voltage from the on-board electrical system battery must be guaranteed for the entire duration of the work procedure. Otherwise the control units could be damaged if an undervoltage occurs. Information: Observe the operating instructions of the 12 V charger. Information: Use the 12 V charger to ensure a sufficient voltage (minimum 12.5 V) from the on-board electrical system battery.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.