2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 has a complaint index of 82, ranking 4th worst out of 18 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict due to 45 complaints and 18 recall campaigns. Electrical System issues lead at 24% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 82/100
- #4 of 18 Sprinter 2500 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 45
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 18
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Electrical System
Top 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System11 (24%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras10 (22%)
- Brakes8 (18%)
- Lane Departure7 (16%)
- Other7 (16%)
- Structure & Body7 (16%)
- Engine6 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (11%)
- Fuel System3 (7%)
- Steering3 (7%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Active brake assist and forward collision warning activate without cause, sometimes abruptly stopping the van while driving.
- Lane departure assist triggers false warnings and shakes the steering wheel near construction zones, reported around 400 miles.
- Crosswind assist has been described as taking control of steering unexpectedly, contributing to a crash.
- Alternator and serpentine belts have come loose, causing the air conditioning to fail, reported around 54,000 miles.
- At high altitude, the engine has failed to respond to the throttle when shifting into drive or reverse.
- Owners report recall parts for electrical back-over prevention and seat belt campaigns were unavailable for extended periods.
2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 recalls
18 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V930000Dec 13, 2024Electrical System697 vehicles
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
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."
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.
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.
- NHTSA 23V875000Dec 21, 2023Structure & Body3,739 vehicles
Structure:critical fasteners
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The longitudinal frame members may be missing reinforcement fasteners, reducing vehicle stability and decreasing the structural integrity of the third-row seats.
Risk: Reduced stability increases the risk of a crash. Additionally, the third-row seat mountings can fail, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the frame members as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 4, 2024. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3ROHRAH.
- NHTSA 23V876000Dec 21, 2023Structure & Body387 vehicles
Structure:critical fasteners
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.
Risk: A detached partition wall can increase the risk of injury.
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.
See all 18 recalls for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 →
2021 compared with other Sprinter 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 reliable?
- NHTSA data shows a complaint index of 82 for the 2021 Sprinter 2500, the 4th worst of 18 model years tracked, with 45 complaints and 18 recall campaigns, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other Sprinter years.
- What is the top problem area for the 2021 Sprinter 2500?
- Electrical System issues account for 24% of complaints (11 of 45), with a median failure mileage of 20,000 miles.
- Does the 2021 Sprinter 2500 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 18 recall campaigns for the 2021 Sprinter 2500, covering electrical, structure and body, fuel system, and transmission components; none are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2021 Sprinter 2500 compare to other years?
- The 2021 model's complaint index of 82 is lower than 2019 (100) and 2020 (94) but still ranks among the worst years, with 2012 (complaint index 12) rated Best among Sprinter years.