2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
43/100
#9 most-complained of 15 Sprinter 3500 years
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 has a Complaint Index of 43 and ranks 9th worst out of 15 model years, earning a "Good" verdict relative to other Sprinter years. NHTSA lists 13 complaints, 22 recalls, and 1 crash, with Electrical System issues topping the list at 46% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 13
- Recalls
- 22
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System6 (46%)
- Brakes4 (31%)
- Structure & Body4 (31%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (23%)
- Airbags2 (15%)
- Engine1 (8%)
- Other1 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (8%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (8%)
What owners report
- Owners report the backup camera and lane watch display being unreadable in daylight, along with other electrical glitches like an inoperative door lock.
- Cruise control and Forward Collision systems reportedly stopped working after electrical/airbag recall campaigns were issued.
- Crosswind Assist has been described as malfunctioning at highway speeds, causing abrupt braking and unexpected steering input that could not be turned off.
- Some owners report the brake assist system going inoperable with a warning message, tied to a sensor issue found by dealers.
- Dashboard displays have been reported to flicker with multiple warning alarms while windshield wipers and turn signals stopped functioning correctly.
- Owners report recall repairs, such as for trailer hitches and communication modules, being delayed due to unavailable parts.
2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 recalls
22 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 22 recalls for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 →
2020 compared with other Sprinter 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 reliable?
- Compared to other Sprinter 3500 years, the 2020 model has a Complaint Index of 43 and ranks 9th worst out of 15 years, giving it a "Good" verdict relative to the rest of the lineup.
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Sprinter 3500?
- NHTSA data shows Electrical System complaints make up 46% of reports, followed by Brakes and Structure & Body issues at 31% each.
- How many recalls does the 2020 Sprinter 3500 have?
- NHTSA lists 22 recalls for the 2020 Sprinter 3500, covering areas like the instrument cluster, frame reinforcement, partition wall bolts, and rearview camera software.
- Are there any 'do not drive' recalls for the 2020 Sprinter 3500?
- No. NHTSA lists 0 do-not-drive recalls among the 22 recalls issued for this model year.
- What year Sprinter 3500 should I avoid instead of 2020?
- Based on NHTSA data, 2014 (Complaint Index 93), 2016 (Complaint Index 100), 2012 (Complaint Index 79), and 2019 (Complaint Index 86) all carry "Avoid" verdicts, while 2020 is rated "Good."