What years of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 are the years to avoid, with 2019 ranked worst overall at a complaint index of 100 and 42 recall campaigns.

What are the best years for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500?

2012, 2013, and 2015 are the best-rated years, with complaint indexes of 0, 20, and 7 respectively, the lowest among all 16 model years covered.

What is the most common problem area across all Sprinter 2500 years?

Engine issues are the largest category overall, accounting for 21% of all 390 complaints, followed by electrical system issues at 17% and transmission/powertrain issues at 14%.

Does the 2019 Sprinter 2500 have a rollaway recall issue?

Owners of 2019 Sprinter 2500 vans reported the vehicle rolling away after being placed in park, with clicking sounds from the parking mechanism preceding the movement, and NHTSA lists 42 recall campaigns for that model year.

How many total complaints and recalls does the Sprinter 2500 have?

Across the 2010-2025 model years, NHTSA data shows 390 total complaints and 92 total recall campaigns for the Sprinter 2500.

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500's worst years are 2019-2022, led by 2019 with a complaint index of 100 and 42 recall campaigns. Best years are 2012, 2013, and 2015, each with low complaint indexes (0, 20, and 7). Avoid the 2019-2022 range if possible.

Avoid 2019 Avoid 2020 Avoid 2021 Avoid 2022 Best 2012 Best 2013 Best 2015

Model years: 16; 2010–2025
NHTSA complaints: 390
Recall campaigns: 92
Crashes reported: 15
Fires reported: 11
Top problem area: Engine

Sprinter 2500 Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2010	Good	33	14	0	0	6	Airbags	—	—
2011	Good	40	14	0	0	4	Airbags	—	—
2012	Best	0	6	0	0	2	Engine	—	—
2013	Best	20	13	0	0	3	Airbags	—	—
2014	Caution	53	16	0	3	5	Airbags	—	—
2015	Best	7	9	0	0	11	Engine	—	—
2016	Caution	60	28	0	1	15	Airbags	—	—
2017	Good	27	13	0	0	7	Steering	—	—
2018	Good	47	14	0	0	9	Engine	—	—
2019	Avoid	100	67	8	4	42	Steering	—	—
2020	Avoid	93	80	3	1	22	Electrical System	—	—
2021	Avoid	80	45	2	0	18	Electrical System	—	—
2022	Avoid	87	40	2	0	7	Engine	—	—
2023	Caution	67	17	0	1	7	Engine	—	—
2024	Caution	73	12	0	1	4	Brakes	—	—
2025	No verdict	13	2	0	0	1	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	—	—

Sprinter 2500 years to avoid: what went wrong

2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 Index 100 · 67 complaints · 42 recalls

2019 is the worst-ranked Sprinter 2500 year, with a complaint index of 100 and 67 complaints tied to 42 recall campaigns. Steering issues make up 22% of complaints, followed by transmission and powertrain problems at 21%. Owners report the van rolling away after being placed in park, with clicking noises from the parking mechanism before the vehicle moved, sometimes causing crashes. NHTSA lists 8 crashes and 4 injuries for this year. Median mileage at failure for steering complaints is low, around 4,500 miles, suggesting the issue can appear early in ownership.

2019 steering problems →

2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 Index 93 · 80 complaints · 22 recalls

2020 ranks second-worst with a complaint index of 93 and 80 total complaints across 22 recall campaigns. Electrical system problems lead at 25% of complaints, with engine and transmission/powertrain issues each at 23%. Owners describe rollaway incidents similar to 2019, plus reports of engine fires while idling. NHTSA lists 3 crashes and 1 fire for this year. Median mileage at failure for electrical complaints is 10,000 miles, and engine complaints show a lower median of 5,200 miles, pointing to early-onset problems.

2020 electrical system problems →2020 engine problems →2020 transmission & powertrain problems →

2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 Index 87 · 40 complaints · 7 recalls

2022 has a complaint index of 87 from 40 complaints and 7 recall campaigns. Engine problems top the list at 28%, with electrical system issues at 23% and collision avoidance/camera problems at 20%. Owners describe cruise control and active brake assist systems disengaging unexpectedly, along with distronic cruise control cutting out and disabling other safety systems. NHTSA lists 2 crashes and 2 injuries for this year, with electrical complaints showing a median mileage at failure of 3,700 miles.

2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 Index 80 · 45 complaints · 18 recalls

2021 carries a complaint index of 80 with 45 complaints and 18 recall campaigns. Electrical system issues are the top area at 24%, followed by collision avoidance and camera problems at 22%. Owners report brake rollaway incidents, crosswind assist malfunctions affecting steering control, and lane departure assist triggering unexpected steering wheel shaking. One complaint noted a lane departure issue at just 400 miles. NHTSA lists 2 crashes and 1 injury for this year.

Most common Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Engine83 (21%)
Electrical System68 (17%)
Other54 (14%)
Transmission & Powertrain54 (14%)
Brakes45 (12%)
Steering44 (11%)
Airbags43 (11%)
Collision Avoidance & Cameras43 (11%)
Structure & Body26 (7%)
Fuel System24 (6%)

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 are the years to avoid, with 2019 ranked worst overall at a complaint index of 100 and 42 recall campaigns.
What are the best years for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500?: 2012, 2013, and 2015 are the best-rated years, with complaint indexes of 0, 20, and 7 respectively, the lowest among all 16 model years covered.
What is the most common problem area across all Sprinter 2500 years?: Engine issues are the largest category overall, accounting for 21% of all 390 complaints, followed by electrical system issues at 17% and transmission/powertrain issues at 14%.
Does the 2019 Sprinter 2500 have a rollaway recall issue?: Owners of 2019 Sprinter 2500 vans reported the vehicle rolling away after being placed in park, with clicking sounds from the parking mechanism preceding the movement, and NHTSA lists 42 recall campaigns for that model year.
How many total complaints and recalls does the Sprinter 2500 have?: Across the 2010-2025 model years, NHTSA data shows 390 total complaints and 92 total recall campaigns for the Sprinter 2500.