Owners have filed 17 complaints
about the 2011 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2500 with NHTSA between 2013 and 2018.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 8 of 13 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 19
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2500. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
67% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2011 compares with every other Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2500
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2011 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2500
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
423.5%
Median failure at 22,048 miles
Other & Unspecified
317.6%
Median failure at 7,500 miles
Engine & Cooling
317.6%
Median failure at 20,000 miles
Body & Structure
211.8%
Median failure at 14,535 miles
Electrical System
211.8%
Median failure at 50,000 miles
Wheels
15.9%
Median failure at 29,000 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
15.9%
Median failure at 42,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
15.9%
Median failure at 42,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
533.3%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
426.7%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
533.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
16.7%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 2013peak 2Sep 2018
NHTSA investigations into the 2011 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2500
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by Daimler Vans USA, LLC (Daimler) as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers to identify incidents related to Rear Wheel Speed Sensors (RWSS) failures. ODI's analysis identified 6,710 incidents of RWSS failure (unique VINs) in MY 2012-2018 Mercedes- Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles upfitted to campers or recreational vehicles (RVs) representing 81 percent of all Sprinter RWSS reports. Complaint and warranty analysis indicated that the majority of incidents (approximately 99%) were related to RWSS mois...
Recalls on the 2011 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2500
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 201945523,448 units in Canada
Airbag
Issue: On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the propellant contained in the passenger-front airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. If the airbag inflator ruptures, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants or cause damage to the airbag assembly, preventing its proper function. Safety Risk: If the vehicle is involved in a crash requiring an airbag deployment, the airbag inflator could rupture and create a risk of injury. Corrective Action: Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to have the passenger-front airbag module replaced. Note: The Canadian climate results in the propellant degrading slowly. This recall is being conducted as a precaution to address future risk. It is expected that all airbag inflators will be replaced before their function would be affected. Additional note: This recall supersedes recall 2018-648.
Recall 201945426,050 units in Canada
Airbag
Issue: On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the propellant contained in the driver-front airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. If the airbag inflator ruptures, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants or cause damage to the airbag assembly, preventing its proper function. Safety Risk: If the vehicle is involved in a crash requiring an airbag deployment, the airbag inflator could rupture and create a risk of injury. Corrective Action: Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to have the driver-front airbag module replaced. Note: The Canadian climate results in the propellant degrading slowly. This recall is being conducted as a precaution to address future risk. It is expected that all airbag inflators will be replaced before their function would be affected. Additional note: This recall supersedes recall 2016-159.
Recall 201864813,166 units in Canada
Airbag
On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, could eventually degrade the propellant contained in the passenger frontal airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. As a result, if the vehicle were involved in a collision that warrants airbag deployment, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants, and the airbag assembly could be damaged, preventing proper function. These issues could increase the risk of injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag module. Note: Canadian climate results in the propellant degrading slowly. The recall is being conducted as a precaution to address future risk, and is expected to replace airbag inflators before their function would be affected. Note: This recall is superseded by recall 2019455. Please see <a href="http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/7/VRDB-BDRV/search-recherche/detail.aspx?lang=eng&&rn=2019455">recall 2019455</a> for more information.
Recall 201615913,410 units in Canada
Airbag
On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inflator to rupture, which could allow fragments to be propelled toward vehicle occupants, increasing the risk of injury. This could also damage the airbag module, which could prevent proper deployment. Failure of the airbag to fully deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will replace the front driver air bag module. Note: This recall is superseded by recall 2019454. Please see <a href="http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/7/VRDB-BDRV/search-recherche/detail.aspx?lang=eng&&rn=2019454">recall 2019454</a> for more information.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 2,000 milesSanta Cruz, CA
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL: HAVE BEEN RECEIVING RECALL NOTICES ABOUT YEARS (FIRST RECALL APRIL 2016). MADE SEVERAL APPOINTMENTS TO REPLACE, BUT THEY WERE OUT WHEN I ARRIVED. CURRENTLY I'VE HAD AN AIR BAG ON ORDER TO BE HELD IN MY NAME SINCE JUNE 2018. STILL NO SUCCESS.
NHTSA complaint #11124749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Selden, NY
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V077000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF MASSAPEQUA, 101 EAST SUNRISE HIGHWAY, AMITYVILLE, NY 11701 (631) 213-2023) STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11033033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,097 milesRichmond Hill, NY
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE SRS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF BROOKLYN, LOCATED AT 1800 SHORE PKWY BROOKLYN, NY 11214) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ETHER ELEMENT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,097.
NHTSA complaint #11011310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Placitas, NM
AIR BAGS
IT IS HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR AND WE ARE STILL WAITING FOR AN AIRBAG REPLACEMENT. THIS IS QUITE DANGEROUS AND WE BELIEVE THAT WAITING FOR MORE THAN ONE YEAR IS TOO LONG.
NHTSA complaint #10972318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,500 milesMiami, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ROOF MOUNTED A/C LEAKS WATER INSIDE THE VAN EVERY TIME IT RAINS. THIS IS MY SECOND SPRINTER WITH THIS PROBLEM, AND IT AFFECTS MY BUSINESS TREMENDOUSLY AS I OWN AN EXECUTIVE TRANSPORTATION COMPANY, NOT THE TYPE OF PROBLEM EXPECTED ON A MERCEDES
NHTSA complaint #10747657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,500 milesMiami, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY SPRINTER IS A VERY LOW MILEAGE SPRINTER, I JUST RECENTLY PASSED THE 6,000 MILES ( IT IS A 2011 MODEL) THE CAR HAS BEEN INCORPORATED IN MY COMPANY'S FLEET. I OWN AN EXECUTIVE GROUND TRANSPORTATION COMPANY, RECENTLY ON A LOCAL TRIP TRANSPORTING SOME EXECUTIVE PASSENGERS, IT STARTED TO RAIN HEAVILY AND WATER STARTED TO POUR INSIDE THE REAR SECTION OF THE VAN JUST WHERE THE PASSENGERS WERE SEATING! THE WATER WAS COMING DOWN THRU THE A/C VENTS!! THIS IS TERRIBLE. I LOOKED EVERYWHERE ONLY AND IT IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE SPRINTERS, I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY IS NOT A RECALL, ALSO THERE IS A MAJOR LAWSUIT GOING ON IN CALIFORNIA.
NHTSA complaint #10734984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesChicago, IL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AS A HIGH USE BUSINESS VEHICLE, MY MERCEDES SPRINTER 2500 WAS OUT OF WARRANTY (36K MILES) WITHIN A YEAR OF PURCHASE. JUST ABOUT A MONTH BEYOND 36K, THE ROOF MOUNTED AIR CONDITIONER BEGAN LEAKING (MORE LIKE TORRENTING) WATER UPON THE MIDDLE BENCH SEATS AFTER EVERY RAIN. THIS WATER HAS ALSO LEAKED DOWN INTO THE FRONT ROOF MOUNTED ELECTRONICS, SUCH AS THE DOME LIGHTS, AND MADE THEM MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE IS ESSENTIALLY USELESS FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS TRANSPORT DURING ANY RAIN STORM. WHEN CONTACTED, AFTER MUCH RUN AROUND AND BROKEN PROMISE, THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT BECAUSE WE WERE OUT OF WARRANTY, THE REPAIR WOULD BE A MINIMUM OF $1800. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE, THIS APPEARS TO BE MUCH MORE THAN AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF ACCOUNTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM AFFECTING OTHERS, BOTH IN AND OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS AND DEBILITATING MANUFACTURER DEFECT. A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IS CURRENTLY UNDER WAY FOR THIS ISSUE IN CALIFORNIA, BUT SEEING THAT I AM IN ILLINOIS, I HAVE NO OTHER RECOURSE BUT TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA AND HOPE THAT YOU WILL INVESTIGATE AND HELP TO RECTIFY THIS UNFORTUNATE SITUATION FOR ALL AFFECTED CUSTOMERS.
NHTSA complaint #10733198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,000 milesBIG Bear, CA
POWER TRAIN
WE MOVED TO HIGH ALTITUDE (6750 FT ELEVATION). FROM A STOP IT TAKES OVER THREE SECONDS FOR THE VEHICLE TO HAVE PROPER POWER TO ACCELERATE. IT WILL START TO ROLL, BUT NO REAL POWER. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE MERCEDES BENZ (WALTER'S MERCEDES OF RIVERSIDE, CA) DEALER THREE TIMES. THEY REFUSE TO TEST IT AT ALTITUDE AND SAY THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AT SEA LEVEL (OF COURSE NOT). IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I CAN'T PULL OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY BY MYSELF WITHOUT FEAR OF BEING HIT BECAUSE I AM UNABLE TO PROPERLY ACCELERATE.
NHTSA complaint #10691195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,000 milesBIG Bear, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WE MOVED TO HIGH ALTITUDE (6750 FT ELEVATION). FROM A STOP IT TAKES OVER THREE SECONDS FOR THE VEHICLE TO HAVE PROPER POWER TO ACCELERATE. IT WILL START TO ROLL, BUT NO REAL POWER. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE MERCEDES BENZ (WALTER'S MERCEDES OF RIVERSIDE, CA) DEALER THREE TIMES. THEY REFUSE TO TEST IT AT ALTITUDE AND SAY THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AT SEA LEVEL (OF COURSE NOT). IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I CAN'T PULL OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY BY MYSELF WITHOUT FEAR OF BEING HIT BECAUSE I AM UNABLE TO PROPERLY ACCELERATE.
NHTSA complaint #10691195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesEGG Harbor City, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHTS ON THE DRIVER SIDE WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE EXACT REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #10615398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,400 milesOlney, MD
ENGINE
I HAVE AN RV BUILT ON A MERCEDES DIESEL CHASSIS. ON JULY 3 MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON I TOOK IT TO MERCEDES OF TAMPA FL. THEY SAID THAT IN WAS THE OXYGEN SENSOR, BUT DID NOT HAVE IT IN STOCK NOR WAS THERE ONE AVAILABLE AT ANY OF MERCEDES WAREHOUSES IN THE US. IT WOULD HAVE TO COME FROM GERMANY AND IT MIGHT TAKE MONTHS. THEY RESET THE LIGHT AND TOLD BE I COULD TAKE IT BACK TO MD WERE I LIVE AND HAVE THE LOCAL MERCEDES FIX IT. THEY ASSURED ME THAT IT WOULD NOT HARM THE ENGINE AND I COULD DRIVE IT BACK. ABOUT 200 MILES INTO MY RETURN TRIP ON JULY 5TH (EXIT 29 IN GA), I STARTED TO LOSE POWER AND COULD ONLY GO BETWEEN 30 AND 40 MPH ON I 95. I FINALLY CAME TO AN EXIT AND PULL TO A TA TRUCK STOP. THE MECHANIC ON DUTY SAID THAT HE DID NOT HAVE THE COMPUTER SETTINGS TO TEST IT, BUT THERE WAS A DIESEL MECHANIC WHO MAY BE ABLE TO TEST IT. THIS BEING SATURDAY NIGHT I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL MONDAY MORNING. I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED ON I 95 HAS I COULD NOT MAINTAIN EVEN THE MINIMUM SPEED. IF THERE IS A BACKLOG, THIS SOUNDS LIKE A RECURRING PROBLEM AND THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL.[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10608363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,300 milesGuaynabo, PR
STRUCTURE
THE VEHICLE STARTED POURING WATER TO THE INTERIOR CABIN TROUGH THE ROOFTOP AIR-CONDITIONING VENT, THIS DISTRACTED MY ATTENTION AND IMPAIRED MY ABILITY TO FOCUS EXCLUSIVELY ON THE ROAD.
NHTSA complaint #10599078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 29,000 milesNorthridge, CA
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AND AFTER INSTALLING THE SPARE TIRE THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE LUG NUT FOR THE REGULAR TIRE COULD NOT BE USE TO INSTALL THE SPARE TIRE SINCE IT WOULD CAUSE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO ENGAGE. IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE FAILURE AND INSTALL THE NEW TIRE, THE BOLTS HAD TO BE CUT OFF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.
NHTSA complaint #10598973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,771 milesCharlottesville, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
PREVIOUSLY (DAYS AFTER PURCHASE) MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER 2500 LO-TOP WITH REAR ROOF-MOUNTED HIGH POWERED A/C STARTED DRIPPING FROM THE GRILL IN THE HEADLINER DURING DRY WEATHER. ALSO, THE HEADLINER HAD A WATER SPOT. THIS WAS REPAIRED WITH A RELAY TO FIX A KNOWN VACUUM PRESSURE ISSUE WITH THE A/C. THIS TIME, WATER POURED (NOT DRIPPED) IN FROM THE GRILL AGAIN, AFTER PARKING ON A SLIGHT INCLINE AND PULLING AWAY FROM THE CURB DURING A RAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10512635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,771 milesCharlottesville, VA
STRUCTURE
PREVIOUSLY (DAYS AFTER PURCHASE) MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER 2500 LO-TOP WITH REAR ROOF-MOUNTED HIGH POWERED A/C STARTED DRIPPING FROM THE GRILL IN THE HEADLINER DURING DRY WEATHER. ALSO, THE HEADLINER HAD A WATER SPOT. THIS WAS REPAIRED WITH A RELAY TO FIX A KNOWN VACUUM PRESSURE ISSUE WITH THE A/C. THIS TIME, WATER POURED (NOT DRIPPED) IN FROM THE GRILL AGAIN, AFTER PARKING ON A SLIGHT INCLINE AND PULLING AWAY FROM THE CURB DURING A RAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10512635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesStafford, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
[XXX] IS CAR WASH STORE? IN MARCH 21, 2013, VEHICLE WARNING LAMP CAME ON AGAIN, THE INFORMATION IS :"ENGINE OIL LEVEL NOT WHEN ENG RUNNING", ON THIS DAY I ONCE PUT MY CAR TO THE [XXX], IN MARCH 26, 2013, [XXX] SEND THE CAR BACK, THEY TELL US, THE VEHICLE IS NO PROBLEM. I CHECK THE VEHICLE FOUND, "ENGINE OIL LEVEL NOT WHEN ENG RUNNING"WARNING LAMP STILL ON . I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S PROBLEM ON THIS CAR? I DON'T KNOW IF I USE THIS CAR IS BE SAFE? I WANT THIS CAR TO THE GOVERNMENT SAFETY SUPERVISION DEPARTMENT TO DO THE IDENTIFICATION, TO CONFIRM THAT THE CAR IS IT RIGHT? SAFETY? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10504567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesStafford, TX
ENGINE
[XXX] IS CAR WASH STORE? IN MARCH 21, 2013, VEHICLE WARNING LAMP CAME ON AGAIN, THE INFORMATION IS :"ENGINE OIL LEVEL NOT WHEN ENG RUNNING", ON THIS DAY I ONCE PUT MY CAR TO THE [XXX], IN MARCH 26, 2013, [XXX] SEND THE CAR BACK, THEY TELL US, THE VEHICLE IS NO PROBLEM. I CHECK THE VEHICLE FOUND, "ENGINE OIL LEVEL NOT WHEN ENG RUNNING"WARNING LAMP STILL ON . I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S PROBLEM ON THIS CAR? I DON'T KNOW IF I USE THIS CAR IS BE SAFE? I WANT THIS CAR TO THE GOVERNMENT SAFETY SUPERVISION DEPARTMENT TO DO THE IDENTIFICATION, TO CONFIRM THAT THE CAR IS IT RIGHT? SAFETY? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10504567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.