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2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
1
Latest Jul 29, 2024
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
22
Latest Dec 13, 2024
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500, most frequently naming the body & structure and other / unspecified categories. 22 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 142 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Body & structure150.0%
  • Other / unspecified150.0%

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

22 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.gov

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

Dec 13, 2024
697 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The instrument cluster illumination may not be adjustable and appear too bright in certain lighting conditions. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."
The risk: A display that is too bright can make it difficult for the driver to see critical safety information, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 31, 2025. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3BELKOM.
Daimler Vans USA, LLCManufacturer number VS3BELKOMView on NHTSA.gov

STRUCTURE:BODY

Dec 21, 2023
9 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The connection between the propeller shaft bearing and crossmember may loosen, reducing vehicle control.
The risk: Reduced vehicle control increases the risk of a crash. Additionally, the propeller shaft may damage the fuel tank during a crash, causing a leak and increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the crossmember as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3QUERTR.
Daimler Vans USA, LLCManufacturer number VS3QUERTRView on NHTSA.gov

STRUCTURE:CRITICAL FASTENERS

Dec 21, 2023
387 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and 2019-2021 Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The partition wall may be missing bolts, allowing the wall to detach during a crash.
The risk: A detached partition wall can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect and secure the partition wall as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 16, 2024. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3TREWAN.
Daimler Vans USA, LLCManufacturer number VS3TREWANView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Body & structureOther / unspecified
Filed Jul 29, 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 4500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V695000 (Structure, Equipment) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. VIN tool was unable to retrieve recall information.

NHTSA ID
11605158
Incident
Jul 28, 2024

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

LI14_20-N-073867_16_en

ENGINE

EGR Valve Diagnosis & Cleaning (and EGR Cooler Cleaning) – OM642, Sprinter 906/907 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 desired target of the EGR Valve position controller. Cause of Complaint C: Internal EGR Valve or other electrical faults related to the EGR Valve function.

LI80_20-N-079697_2_en

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 Check the fit of the sliding doors here 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

LI54_71_N_080985_1

SERVICE BRAKES

Brakes may lock up when reversing at slow speeds Complaint When reversing slowly, the vehicle erroneously triggers an emergency braking event, causing the brakes to lock up. Engine may not start following a key cycle. Cause The vehicle triggers a maneuvering or emergency braking event while reversing. The customer must then immediately park the vehicle (ignition Switched OFF) The hydraulic pressure release process within the ESP control unit may not be completed. Remedy Updating the software release of the RVC177 reversing camera

LI47_00-N-069565_6_en

Fuel Level Unchanged After Refueling Complaint The customer reports that the fuel gauge shows inaccurate readings or remains unchanged after refueling. Cause The fuel level display may be incorrect due to one or both of the following conditions: 1. The Fuel Supply Control Unit (FSCU) may not recognize a refueling event if the Controller Area Network (CAN) does not enter sleep mode. This may occur if the vehicle is refueled with the engine running, the ignition is switched on during refueling, or aftermarket or upfitter‑installed equipment keeps the vehicle powered. 2. The fuel level sensor float or sensor arm may be restricted by the low‑pressure fuel pump pickup tube, fuel lines, electrical wiring, or an incorrectly positioned component. The fuel level sensor may become stuck above or below the pickup tube and indicate an incorrect fuel level. Similar FSCU actual values do not rule out a mechanical restriction. The fuel level sensor may be physically held at an incorrect position while the two actual values remain similar.

LI82_85_N_080972_1

Unavailability of MB Apps Complaint A popup is seen on the HU with the message "data connection temporarily not available". Cause MB Apps is officially sundowned for all vehicles with NTG5 Head Unit Variant. Remedy No support available for NTG5 Head Unit Variants for MB App related topics.

LI28_00-N-079097_1_en

POWER TRAIN

Complaint While driving through muddy / sandy/ off road terrain "4Matic Currently Unavailable" message on the dash Cause This vehicle is not equipped with a fixed force distribution AWD, rather force is only applied to the front axle according to ESP calculations. As per GF28.00‑D‑ 9900A: "vehicles with 4MATIC all‑wheel system and variable force distribution, an electronically regulated multiplate clutch integrated into the transfer case provides for the torque distribution. If the multiplate clutch is open during normal driving operation, only the rear axle drives the vehicle. If the clutch is closed, the front axle comes into play." The message "All‑wheel drive temporarily unavailable" is not indicative of a malfunction but rather informs the driver that all‑wheel drive is currently not available due to the transfer case clutch overheating. This occurs when the vehicle is driven in such a way that maximum front axle torque is needed for an extended period, causing the clutch to get excessively hot. If the vehicle is being driven under heavy load conditions, like in deep sand or snow, the rear axle may slip while the front axle does not deliver power. The transfer case then attempts to distribute torque to correct the slip, but it is limited to a maximum of 1150 Nm to protect the front axle transmission. In extended heavy‑load scenarios, the multidisk clutch in the transfer case slips, increasing the temperature. If the temperature model detects a critical temperature of 240°C, the system protects itself by disconnecting until it cools down to around 160°C, after which the all‑wheel drive becomes available again and the warning message disappears.Vehicles can handle flat terrain easily, but steep slopes or situations where wheels slip might cause additional resistance, leading to the described protection events and message in the dash. Remedy Recommendation is to release the vehicle back to the client with an explanation that the vehicle is operating as designed. Please advise the client to limit vehicle acceleration in limited traction situations to avoid disabling of the 4Matic system ‑ please see "Notes on all‑wheel drive" provided in the operators manual.

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

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024020—
2023060—
2022060—
20210160—
2020Viewing1220—
20199380—
2018071—
2017011—
2016111—
2015010—
2014000—
2013000—
2012000—
2011000—
2010000—
2009000—
2008000—
2007000—

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.