2020 Winnebago Revel

Secondary alternator failed. A known problem with the Sprinters.

NHTSA ID

11661203

Incident

May 14, 2025

Our 2020 Sprinter (Winnebago Revel) had 13,212 miles on it when I first reported this issue. During our ownership we have experienced many failures of the Advanced Driver Assistance System, one previous failure happened when where a semi-truck was preparing to pass me and was very close behind my van, when my vans cruise control deactivated we quickly slowed down and the driver of the truck had to take evasive maneuvers to avoid an accident. When this failure happens two error messages are displayed on the instrument display behind the steering wheel, “Active Brake Assist Functions Limited see operator’s manual” and “Active distance assistance inoperative”. As of April 2025 this problem is a commonly reported issue with the sprinter van (sprinter distronic failure). It is known that the van will abruptly shut down the cruise control if the vehicle has not detected another vehicle in front of it for a specific period of time and the only way to get the system to work again is to follow another vehicle for approximately 15 minutes. My incident (above) seems to be a safety issue and was reported in a NHTSA report id # 11542979 but no one seems to take it seriously We have had the Van to the dealer and they indicate that they cannot re-create the symptom so they cannot make any attempt to repair it and will not acknowledge the problem exists even though Mercedes Bens has issued bulletins on the problem (LI.54.71-N-075673). Please urge Mercedes to correct this issue.

NHTSA ID

11656628

Incident

Sep 3, 2023

Our 2020 Sprinter (Winnebago Revel) currently has 13,212 miles on it. During our ownership we have experienced about(?) 12 failures of the Advanced Driver Assistance System, during our last trip of ≈1400 miles we experience this failure twice, both occurring while driving on a state highway while being passed in the opposite direction by on-coming traffic. This trip triggered a memory of at least one previous failure that also occurred while being passed in the opposite direction by on-coming traffic. When this failure happens the cruise control is immediately deactivated which requires the driver to take control of the vehicles speed, during my last trip a semi-truck was preparing to pass me and was very close behind my van, when my van quickly slowed down it appeared that the driver of the truck had to take evasive maneuvers to avoid an accident. When this failure happens two error messages are displayed on the instrument display behind the steering wheel, “Active Brake Assist Functions Limited see operator’s manual” and “Active distance assistance inoperative”. After this failure happens I have unsuccessfully attempted to correct the failure by performing the following: •>Turn off the van for 1 to 45 minutes. •>Cleaning all of the sensors in the front bumper, glass windshield & what may be a sensor in the front grille. •>Various combinations of steering wheel button pushes. •Searched the manual, Mercedes indicates that I should “Visit a qualified specialist workshop”. System functionality eventually returns indicating a message similar to “active distance assist now available” (I did not photograph this message). This can happen as soon as ≈45 minutes and as long as the next day. During dealer recall service I very loudly complained about this failure there was no written documentation that I had complained and no mention of any correction to address this problem.

NHTSA ID

11542979

Incident

Sep 3, 2023

The contact owns a 2020 Winnebago Revel RV built on a 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 chassis. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the retractable awning erroneously extended and detached from the RV. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not notified. The contact was concerned that the failure could have occurred while driving on a freeway. The failure mileage was 6,000. The contact stated that they are currently waiting for the necessary parts to repair the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11490327

Incident

Aug 28, 2022

Mileage

6,000 mi

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