2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 Owner Complaints

SAFETY DEFECT REPORT & RECALL NON-COMPLIANCE: 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 (VIN: [XXX]) This complaint involves an uncorrected emissions system defect that causes a sudden, dangerous engine shutdown and low-speed countdown limp mode on live roadways, combined with manufacturer recall non-compliance by Mercedes-Benz USA and its authorized franchise dealer, Euro Motorcars Bethesda. The vehicle was brought to an authorized dealership under a mandatory manufacturer recall (Recall Campaign 2025070001 / ECU software update) at 108,575 miles, well within the legally mandated 10-Year / 120,000-Mile Extended Emissions Modification Warranty. Prior to the recall service, the vehicle suffered an abrupt EGR loop breakdown and threw active safety shutdown code P19DE00 (EGR Shut Off / Exhaust Gas Recirculation Limp Mode), placing the vehicle in a hazardous low-speed countdown state. Instead of opening a mandatory Star Support warranty override file to replace the failing physical EGR hardware while the asset was legally under-mileage, the dealership cleared the fault codes to quickly process and bill for the software recall update, pushing the commercial vehicle back onto public roadways with active component restrictions. Because the manufacturer's franchise network failed to properly execute the recall and process the manual hardware extension while under-mileage, the automated database now blocks the required fix based on current elapsed mileage (129,093 miles). The vehicle is locked in an un-driveable limp mode condition in my driveway, completely destroying its utility. Mercedes-Benz USA Corporate Executive Care has actively refused to override the tracking error, violating the terms of the federal modification campaign and leaving an unsafe, defective vehicle in service. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11755370

Incident

Jun 16, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware of an electrical burning odor. Upon touching the steering wheel, the steering wheel was extremely hot. After the vehicle was driven, the steering wheel gradually cooled down. The owner expressed concerns that the air bag might inadvertently deploy due to the heat. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

NHTSA ID

11719801

Incident

Feb 21, 2026

Mileage

40,000 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the highway. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Mercedes Benz of Billings (3045 King Ave W, Billings, MT 59102); but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

NHTSA ID

11621205

Incident

Jan 1, 2022

Mileage

50,000 mi

The line for the automatic steering fluid blew. This was "repaired" Mercedes Benz during a recall but the repaired clamp did not hold. We lost the ability to steer the van easily which is dangerous to other vehicles. The problem was confirmed by the repair shop that we took it to. We did not have a warning light prior to the incident. It was instant, we lost all of the power steering fluid and instantly lost power steering.

NHTSA ID

11598099

Incident

Jun 28, 2024

The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH and attempting to accelerate, he heard an abnormal sound emanating from the engine compartment. After which, the vehicle lost significant motive power and was unable to accelerate above 45 MPH. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed failures with the EGR valve and EGR cooler. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 90,000.

NHTSA ID

11575524

Incident

Feb 15, 2024

Mileage

90,000 mi

it grovernor at 7o mph which you can not pass. you can not go up some hills at the speed limit it will not idle it turn off all the time, to keep the van idling you have to put it in drive and put on the e brake and hope it does not move the back doors are always lock and when you unlock the back doors, the van turn off , in the cold months your passengers freeze. This may not sound like must to you but come and drive this van this could be a bad safety issue. this van is wrongfully and poorly engineer.

NHTSA ID

11503321

Incident

Jan 24, 2023

The driver's side seat belt is slow to retract or doesn't retract at all. Started back in May 2022, one month after the warranty expired with less than 20k miles on it. Originally, Mercedes Benz of El Cajon said they would fix, then declined. We called MBUSA and opened a ticket 2-33281290644 and they said set up the same repair with another local dealer and give them this ticket number. We did and after several delays by the second dealer, Mercedes Benz of San Diego, we were told MBUSA denied the warranty claim and that they could only fix it if we paid $749.49 which includes $298.80 for Labor, $418.27 for parts and $32.42 for taxes. This seems out of line and we are now more than 6 months away from the original complaint. No one doubts the problem of a bad seat belt, they just don't want to cover the repair. The mechanism to adjust the seat belt up and down is also broken, but I'm told that is not difficult to fix as they replace the belt.

NHTSA ID

11496820

Incident

May 7, 2022

The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated that the air conditioning was draining into the interior cabin allowing moisture to the carpet, wall panels, and head liner. The RV was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the air conditioning seal was fractured and needed to be replaced. The RV was repaired 4 additional times however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the RV dealer. The contact was afraid of black mold appearing inside the cabin. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.

NHTSA ID

11430623

Incident

Feb 11, 2020

Mileage

23,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY SHIFT INTO LIMP MODE INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND RESTART THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO RALLYE MOTORS (1600 NORTHERN BLVD, ROSLYN, NY 11576) WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,000.

NHTSA ID

11387713

Incident

Aug 1, 2018

Mileage

3,000 mi

FOLLOW UP TO COMPLAINT NUMBER 11374151. CAUSE DETERMINED: LEFT REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED

NHTSA ID

11383866

Incident

Nov 10, 2020

Mileage

4,734 mi

2018 MB SPRINTER PLEASURE WAY RV SUDDENLY ERRATICALLY ACCELERATED WHILE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY, ERRATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTING, MULTIPLE WARNING MESSAGES INCLUDING ESP, ABS, BLIND SPOT ASSIST INOPERATIVE, ASR/BAS SYMBOL APPEARED. AWAIT SERVICE APPOINTMENT. ?REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR?

NHTSA ID

11374151

Incident

Nov 10, 2020

Mileage

4,734 mi

THE PRESSURIZED LOWER POWER STEERING FLUID HOSE IS INADEQUATELY CLAMPED AT THE COOLER UNIT AND IS OF INSUFFICIENT LENGTH, RESULTING IN THE HOSE LOOSENING AND EVENTUALLY DISCONNECTING. THIS CAUSES A LOSS OF ALL POWER STEERING ASSIST. UPON THE ADVICE OF OTHER OWNERS WHO HAVE SUFFERED CATASTROPHIC STEERING LOSS, I INSPECTED THE LOWER HOSE CONNECTION IN MY DRIVEWAY AND FOUND IT HAD COME PARTIALLY DISCONNECTED. I HAD TO REATTACH THE HOSE AND SECURE IT WITH A TRADITIONAL WORM-STYLE HOSE CLAMP.

NHTSA ID

11349245

Incident

Aug 14, 2020

Mileage

5,500 mi

SINCE SEPTEMBER OF 2019 WITH AROUND 4500 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, LOOSE BOLTS WERE FOUND THAT HOLDS UP FUEL TANK. SEVERAL DRIVESHAFTS (AKA PILOT SHAFTS) FAILED AND WERE REPLACED. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. SEVERAL TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THIS VEHICLE VIBRATES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. MERCEDES BENZ HAS MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS OVER 80 DAYS TO CURE THIS VIBRATION PROBLEM. PHOTOS WERE SENT TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT WAGNER MERCEDES BENZ ON 10/2/2019 SHOWING LOOSE BOLTS WHICH THEY SECURED FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 7400 MILES ON IT. I HAVE NOTICED RECALLS ON THE SPRINTER VANS BUILT AROUND THE SAME TIME WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. IT COULD BE POSSIBLE THAT THIS VEHICLE FELL THROUGH THE CRACKS.

NHTSA ID

11321880

Incident

Oct 2, 2018

Mileage

4,500 mi

THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE RECEIVER ON THE DRIVER SIDE BREAKS VERY FREQUENTLY. THE CABLES ARE VERY THIN WITH SMALL GAUGE STRANDS SO THE STRANDS SHEAR AT THE INTERNAL MOUNT POINT ONE BY ONE UNTIL THE ENTIRE CABLE BREAKS. THIS HAPPENS OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERAL MONTHS. THIS VEHICLE IS A DELIVERY VAN AND THE SEAT BELT IS BUCKLED ON AND OFF MANY TIMES. WE HAVE 20 OF THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE AND IT IS HAPPENING ON MANY OF THEM.

NHTSA ID

11311159

Incident

Feb 8, 2020

Mileage

15,000 mi