2014 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 2014 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
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
WE GOT A NOTICE ABOUT RECALLS
I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THE TAKATA AIRBAGS TO BE REPLACED FOR OVER A YEAR. I AM WORKING WITH FAIRFIELD MERCEDES (FAIRFIELD CALIFORNIA) AND STILL NO PARTS. IS THIS TRUE OR AM I BEING DELAYED BY THE DEALER?
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owned a 2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, a loud pop was heard, and noticed there was smoke coming from the engine with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact was a Sprinter van driver. The contact pulled the vehicle over and had the passengers located in the vehicle exit the vehicle. The contact stated that the engine had caught on fire. The vehicle was extinguished by the Fire Department. A fire report was not filed, however, the cause for the failure was not yet determined. A police report was not filed. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.
The contact 2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power while driving approximately 65 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle veered to the side of the roadway. The vehicle was able to be restarted; however, while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the ECU computer needed to be replaced. On another occasion, while driving approximately 45 MPH, and the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle did not accelerate as designed. Additionally, the contact stated that there was a whooshing sound coming from the vehicle, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the turbo, wastegate, and control unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
The van won’t throttle when requested and will lose power going uphill. I can set the cruise at 70 but the van will only accelerate to 55 to 65. When going uphill it will drop all the way to 45 mph with no ability to accelerate. Mercedes in Missoula has looked at it and said it’s the way the new update “fixed” the limp mode and there is nothing wrong with it. Our personal mechanic has also concluded there is nothing wrong. We live in rural Montana and this is our main vehicle as we have a large family. It’s extremely scary to have a semi come screaming up behind you and not having anywhere to go.
MY SPRINTER WENT INTO LIMP MODE. WOULD NOT GO OVER 10 MILES PER HOUR. HAD IT TOWED TO A MERCEDES BENZ DEALER. REPLACED UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM SENSORS. THE UPSTREAM NOX SENSOR WAS MALFUNCTIONING. I RECIEVED A LETTER FOR A RECALL WITH THIS PROBLEM. MERCEDES BENZ DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THIS REPAIR AS A FIX. PLEASE ADVISED [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
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
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 70,000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 223,000.
VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ABOUT 5 MILES, PARKED AND NOT RUNNING, ABOUT 2.5HRS LATER FIRE STARTED ON THE LEFT REAR SIDE / UNDERCARRIAGE. FUEL TANK CAUGHT FIRE. NO PRIOR RUNNING DEFECTS. STARTING POINT FOR THE FIRE APPEARS AT OR NEXT TO FUEL TANK ON THE LEFT SIDE WITH THE FIRST FLAMES VISIBLE UP THE LEFT REAR WHEEL HOUSING WITH THE VEHICLE PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE AND THIS ETCHED IN AN ARC SHAPE ABOVE THE LEFT REAR WHEEL. INSIDE VEHICLE NO PERSONAL ITEMS OR AFTERMARKET MODIFICATIONS. FIRE SPOTTED APPROXIMATELY 3:15 - 3:17 EASTERN TIME, WEATHER TEMPS IN MID 70S. THIS WAS A HIGH TOP 12 PASSENGER MODEL 144" WHEELBASE WITH AUXILIARY AIR AND HEAT OPTIONS. NO OCCUPANTS AND NO INJURIES.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
Just at roughly 100,000 miles under-body brake lines rusted out at started leaking making the vehicle inoperable and unsafe to drive.
RECENTLY THREE ELECTRONIC BRAKING ASSIST LIGHTS HAVE (ANTI-LOCK, ESP, AND ANTI-SKID) HAVE LIT ON MY DASHBOARD AT RANDOM TIMES. ON AT LEAST TWO OCCASIONS THE ENGINE HAS ACCELERATED WITHOUT ME TOUCHING THE PEDAL.*DT*JB TYPICALLY THIS IS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.
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
Diesel fuel leaking from hose that goes into engine.
VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ABOUT 5 MILES, PARKED AND NOT RUNNING, ABOUT 2.5HRS LATER FIRE STARTED ON THE LEFT REAR SIDE / UNDERCARRIAGE. FUEL TANK CAUGHT FIRE. NO PRIOR RUNNING DEFECTS. STARTING POINT FOR THE FIRE APPEARS AT OR NEXT TO FUEL TANK ON THE LEFT SIDE WITH THE FIRST FLAMES VISIBLE UP THE LEFT REAR WHEEL HOUSING WITH THE VEHICLE PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE AND THIS ETCHED IN AN ARC SHAPE ABOVE THE LEFT REAR WHEEL. INSIDE VEHICLE NO PERSONAL ITEMS OR AFTERMARKET MODIFICATIONS. FIRE SPOTTED APPROXIMATELY 3:15 - 3:17 EASTERN TIME, WEATHER TEMPS IN MID 70S. THIS WAS A HIGH TOP 12 PASSENGER MODEL 144" WHEELBASE WITH AUXILIARY AIR AND HEAT OPTIONS. NO OCCUPANTS AND NO INJURIES.
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
The van won’t throttle when requested and will lose power going uphill. I can set the cruise at 70 but the van will only accelerate to 55 to 65. When going uphill it will drop all the way to 45 mph with no ability to accelerate. Mercedes in Missoula has looked at it and said it’s the way the new update “fixed” the limp mode and there is nothing wrong with it. Our personal mechanic has also concluded there is nothing wrong. We live in rural Montana and this is our main vehicle as we have a large family. It’s extremely scary to have a semi come screaming up behind you and not having anywhere to go.
DIESEL PARTICLE FILTER CONNECTOR BREAKING. CONNECTOR BREAKS ALLOWING CARBON MONOXIDE TO ENTER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. HOT EXHAUST GASES BURN AND MELT WIRING UNDER TRUCK CUTTING OFF ENGINE POWER CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS NOT ILLUMINATED SHOWING THE POSITION OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THERE IS NO WAY TO SEE WHAT IS SELECTED BY THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH EXCEPT WITH A FLASHLIGHT. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ARE NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH TO ILLUMINATE THE DASH IN THE ARE OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH TO KNOW WHERE IT'S SET. THIS IS STRANGE BECAUSE EVERY OTHER SWITCH AND INDICATOR ON THE DASH IS BACK-ILLUMINATED EXCEPT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THE SWITCH IS A ROTARY SWITCH WITH AN OUTER RING THAT SHOWS WHAT IS SELECTED WHEN THE INNER KNOB IS AT THAT POSITION. THE ONLY PART THAT IS ILLUMINATED IS THE LINE ON THE INNER KNOB. THE SELECTION POINTS AROUND THE KNOB ARE NOT ILLUMINATED. EVERY OTHER ITEM ON THE DASH IS ILLUMINATED FROM BEHIND EXCEPT THOSE AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THIS IS A CONCERN BECAUSE AT NIGHT YOU CAN'T SEE WHAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS SET TO AND IT TAKES YOUR CONCENTRATION OFF THE ROAD AND DRIVING AS YOU TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHERE YOUR HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS SET. *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
CYBERBAHN NOTE - VIN AND MODEL DON'T TURN UP RESULTS; ASK FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER, WATER LEAKED THROUGH THE ROOF AIR VENT INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF SOUTH ATLANTA (3775 ROYAL S PKWY, ATLANTA, GA 30349, (470) 819-2400) WHERE NO FAILURE WAS FOUND. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,523.
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 .