RoadVitals

2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
9
Latest Apr 6, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
20%
of 45 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 9 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Body & structureBrakesExterior lighting
Filed Apr 6, 2026

I am a Amazon driver and my dsp makes us drive with very bad safety hazards on the vehicle the step up platform on the vehicle is broken brakes are terrible and the airbag sensors and tire pressure sensors are not working and very bad.

NHTSA ID
11729522
Incident
Apr 6, 2026
BrakesElectricalSteering
Filed Apr 1, 2026
Crash reported

Got in a serious accident due to the crosswind assist malfunctioning totalled car and got tickets for bad driving when it wasnt my fault the car took control and I couldn't halo what happended - they arrested me thinking i was drunk (dont drink) it was a nighmare help!!!! I have court 4/29 - this is very time senansative!

NHTSA ID
11728470
Incident
Mar 21, 2026
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 26, 2025

CRITICAL SAFETY CONCERN: Vehicle shifts into NEUTRAL during normal start sequence, could roll over passengers. Component of concern: Electronic "Wiper" stalk shifter is easily shifted into NEUTRAL during normal start sequence. Problem encountered several times in our 2021 Mercedes Sprinter- the stalk shifter is located directly in front of the "START/STOP" ignition button. To start the vehicle, you must: 1) Press and hold the brake 2) Reach under the shifter and press the "START/STOP" button The problem is pressing the brake is also the "safety interlock" for shifting out of PARK. The breakout force on the shifter stalk is VERY LOW, causing it to be inadvertently shifted into NEUTRAL during a normal start sequence. This is a safety concern, because often we will start the vehicle, and then exit the drivers seat to load passengers (small children and/or wheelchair users). The vehicle does not give any indication (no physical movement of the shifter) of shifting out of park- other than white letter on mid-dash indicator going from "P" to "N". The vehicle could easily be shifted into NEUTRAL and run over passengers during the loading operations.

NHTSA ID
11683080
Incident
Aug 25, 2025
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jun 6, 2025

The ABS front wheel sensor became inoperable after 27K. This disables several onboard systems that assist in vehicle control, including blind spot detection, and collision warning systems. Looking at the sensor - it completely separated at the connector by the wheel hub. The surrounding area showed no signs of unusual trauma or deterioration.

NHTSA ID
11665427
Incident
Jun 5, 2025
Brakes
Filed Sep 19, 2023

The car is in a warranty. I was to The Mercedes (Rockin California)service and they said Break front pads needs to replace 16,000 miles.I did service replace the front pads,and after that I had a lot a pulsing on the break pedal.I was back to Mercedes service(Rockin California ) to explain what happened with my brakes,and they said ‘’you need to replace the rotors disk and the new pads.I refused that.I was at second opinion to another mechanic and he said is issue about hydraulic problem,And safety.Another thing they did tire rotation (I do Not approval to do tires rotation ). I m scare about my safety driving. I need help to fix my car because I m using this car for my business in construction. Thank you .

NHTSA ID
11545318
Incident
Sep 1, 2023
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 17, 2022

The contact stated their company owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated that the gear shifter was shifted into park(P) and the parking brake erroneously activated; however, the vehicle rolled forward as if the gear shifter was in drive(D). The contact depressed the brake pedal and made several attempts to put the vehicle in park(P). There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was not sure if the vehicle had been taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11493899
Incident
Nov 15, 2022
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Feb 15, 2022

Entire brake system (distance warning, active brake assist) malfunctions frequently without conditions that warrant. Brakes and steering impeded and distracts and startles driver. Problem confirmed by dealer without remedy. Dealer states no malfunction in system. Taken vehicle to dealer on four separate occasions. Dealer recalibrated and reset and called tech support at manufacturer and manufacturer said that is the way it is supposed to operate. The problems persist on every trip we take. Warning indicators began within 50 miles of my picking up the vehicle brand new from the dealer. System disables then resets itself at random times during driving. Dealership states they have no codes indicating fault in system.

NHTSA ID
11452148
Incident
Jul 27, 2021
Brakes
Filed Feb 8, 2022

The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would inadvertently abruptly stop every 20 minutes. The contact stated that the Forward Collision-Avoidance Automatic: Dynamic Brake Support/Brake Assist warning light would illuminate prior to the failure. The contact disabled the brake assist; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanic determined that the aftermarket tires had caused the sensors to become defective. The contact was also informed that the failure was a common issue. The contact was concerned because he was stranded out of town with a defective vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted and agreed to provide a loaner vehicle; however, the contact was concerned that the vehicle would be at the dealer being repaired for longer than the loaner vehicle would cover. The approximate failure mileage was 3,200.

NHTSA ID
11450929
Incident
Feb 1, 2022
Mileage
3,200 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 9, 2021
Crash reported

Delivery driver parked at top of customer's driveway. Driver placed van in park and engaged the ebrake. Driver went to rear of vehicle, retrieved customer's package, and exited the van. Driver was handing customer the package when the driver and customer heard clicking sounds coming from van. Van began sliding down the driveway and hit customer's trees. If trees had not been there, van would have hit the customer's house.

NHTSA ID
11428296
Incident
Aug 6, 2021

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .