2011 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2011 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags428.6%
- Engine321.4%
- Electrical214.3%
- Body & structure214.3%
- Fuel system17.1%
- Other / unspecified17.1%
- Powertrain (other)17.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA RECALL: HAVE BEEN RECEIVING RECALL NOTICES ABOUT YEARS (FIRST RECALL APRIL 2016). MADE SEVERAL APPOINTMENTS TO REPLACE, BUT THEY WERE OUT WHEN I ARRIVED. CURRENTLY I'VE HAD AN AIR BAG ON ORDER TO BE HELD IN MY NAME SINCE JUNE 2018. STILL NO SUCCESS.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V077000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF MASSAPEQUA, 101 EAST SUNRISE HIGHWAY, AMITYVILLE, NY 11701 (631) 213-2023) STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE AN RV BUILT ON A MERCEDES DIESEL CHASSIS. ON JULY 3 MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON I TOOK IT TO MERCEDES OF TAMPA FL. THEY SAID THAT IN WAS THE OXYGEN SENSOR, BUT DID NOT HAVE IT IN STOCK NOR WAS THERE ONE AVAILABLE AT ANY OF MERCEDES WAREHOUSES IN THE US. IT WOULD HAVE TO COME FROM GERMANY AND IT MIGHT TAKE MONTHS. THEY RESET THE LIGHT AND TOLD BE I COULD TAKE IT BACK TO MD WERE I LIVE AND HAVE THE LOCAL MERCEDES FIX IT. THEY ASSURED ME THAT IT WOULD NOT HARM THE ENGINE AND I COULD DRIVE IT BACK. ABOUT 200 MILES INTO MY RETURN TRIP ON JULY 5TH (EXIT 29 IN GA), I STARTED TO LOSE POWER AND COULD ONLY GO BETWEEN 30 AND 40 MPH ON I 95. I FINALLY CAME TO AN EXIT AND PULL TO A TA TRUCK STOP. THE MECHANIC ON DUTY SAID THAT HE DID NOT HAVE THE COMPUTER SETTINGS TO TEST IT, BUT THERE WAS A DIESEL MECHANIC WHO MAY BE ABLE TO TEST IT. THIS BEING SATURDAY NIGHT I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL MONDAY MORNING. I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED ON I 95 HAS I COULD NOT MAINTAIN EVEN THE MINIMUM SPEED. IF THERE IS A BACKLOG, THIS SOUNDS LIKE A RECURRING PROBLEM AND THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL.[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
PREVIOUSLY (DAYS AFTER PURCHASE) MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER 2500 LO-TOP WITH REAR ROOF-MOUNTED HIGH POWERED A/C STARTED DRIPPING FROM THE GRILL IN THE HEADLINER DURING DRY WEATHER. ALSO, THE HEADLINER HAD A WATER SPOT. THIS WAS REPAIRED WITH A RELAY TO FIX A KNOWN VACUUM PRESSURE ISSUE WITH THE A/C. THIS TIME, WATER POURED (NOT DRIPPED) IN FROM THE GRILL AGAIN, AFTER PARKING ON A SLIGHT INCLINE AND PULLING AWAY FROM THE CURB DURING A RAIN. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHTS ON THE DRIVER SIDE WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE EXACT REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
[XXX] IS CAR WASH STORE? IN MARCH 21, 2013, VEHICLE WARNING LAMP CAME ON AGAIN, THE INFORMATION IS :"ENGINE OIL LEVEL NOT WHEN ENG RUNNING", ON THIS DAY I ONCE PUT MY CAR TO THE [XXX], IN MARCH 26, 2013, [XXX] SEND THE CAR BACK, THEY TELL US, THE VEHICLE IS NO PROBLEM. I CHECK THE VEHICLE FOUND, "ENGINE OIL LEVEL NOT WHEN ENG RUNNING"WARNING LAMP STILL ON . I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S PROBLEM ON THIS CAR? I DON'T KNOW IF I USE THIS CAR IS BE SAFE? I WANT THIS CAR TO THE GOVERNMENT SAFETY SUPERVISION DEPARTMENT TO DO THE IDENTIFICATION, TO CONFIRM THAT THE CAR IS IT RIGHT? SAFETY? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE VEHICLE STARTED POURING WATER TO THE INTERIOR CABIN TROUGH THE ROOFTOP AIR-CONDITIONING VENT, THIS DISTRACTED MY ATTENTION AND IMPAIRED MY ABILITY TO FOCUS EXCLUSIVELY ON THE ROAD. *TR
PREVIOUSLY (DAYS AFTER PURCHASE) MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER 2500 LO-TOP WITH REAR ROOF-MOUNTED HIGH POWERED A/C STARTED DRIPPING FROM THE GRILL IN THE HEADLINER DURING DRY WEATHER. ALSO, THE HEADLINER HAD A WATER SPOT. THIS WAS REPAIRED WITH A RELAY TO FIX A KNOWN VACUUM PRESSURE ISSUE WITH THE A/C. THIS TIME, WATER POURED (NOT DRIPPED) IN FROM THE GRILL AGAIN, AFTER PARKING ON A SLIGHT INCLINE AND PULLING AWAY FROM THE CURB DURING A RAIN. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
WE MOVED TO HIGH ALTITUDE (6750 FT ELEVATION). FROM A STOP IT TAKES OVER THREE SECONDS FOR THE VEHICLE TO HAVE PROPER POWER TO ACCELERATE. IT WILL START TO ROLL, BUT NO REAL POWER. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE MERCEDES BENZ (WALTER'S MERCEDES OF RIVERSIDE, CA) DEALER THREE TIMES. THEY REFUSE TO TEST IT AT ALTITUDE AND SAY THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AT SEA LEVEL (OF COURSE NOT). IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I CAN'T PULL OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY BY MYSELF WITHOUT FEAR OF BEING HIT BECAUSE I AM UNABLE TO PROPERLY ACCELERATE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AND AFTER INSTALLING THE SPARE TIRE THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE LUG NUT FOR THE REGULAR TIRE COULD NOT BE USE TO INSTALL THE SPARE TIRE SINCE IT WOULD CAUSE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO ENGAGE. IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE FAILURE AND INSTALL THE NEW TIRE, THE BOLTS HAD TO BE CUT OFF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
WE MOVED TO HIGH ALTITUDE (6750 FT ELEVATION). FROM A STOP IT TAKES OVER THREE SECONDS FOR THE VEHICLE TO HAVE PROPER POWER TO ACCELERATE. IT WILL START TO ROLL, BUT NO REAL POWER. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE MERCEDES BENZ (WALTER'S MERCEDES OF RIVERSIDE, CA) DEALER THREE TIMES. THEY REFUSE TO TEST IT AT ALTITUDE AND SAY THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AT SEA LEVEL (OF COURSE NOT). IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I CAN'T PULL OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY BY MYSELF WITHOUT FEAR OF BEING HIT BECAUSE I AM UNABLE TO PROPERLY ACCELERATE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .