The 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 has 22 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA, including 1 crash.
The most-reported problem area is Electrical System (6 reports).
2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 recalls
Dash Lights Too Bright, Harder to Read While Driving
The instrument cluster display on certain Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans may not be adjustable and can appear too bright in some lighting conditions.
Loose Driveshaft Bearing Can Reduce Control, Risk Fire
On certain 2020 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vans, the connection between the propeller shaft bearing and the crossmember may loosen.
Missing Frame Fasteners Can Reduce Stability and Crash Safety
Some 2019 Sprinter vans may be missing reinforcement fasteners on the longitudinal frame members.
Partition Wall Bolts May Be Missing, Risking Injury
Some Sprinter vans may be missing bolts that secure the partition wall.
Instrument Panel May Go Blank, Hiding Speed and Warnings
The instrument cluster in certain Sprinter vans may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started.
Parking Pawl May Fail, Allowing Vehicle Rollaway
The parking pawl inside the automatic transmission has a guide bushing that can wear out over time.
Emergency call system may fail to connect in crash
Certain 2019 Freightliner Sprinter, Mercedes-Benz Metris, and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles have a software error in the communication module's SIM card.
Rearview Camera May Not Display Image, Raising Crash Risk
The rearview camera display in certain Sprinter vans may not show the rear view because of a software error.
Van Can Roll After Shifting to Park, Crash Risk
A software error in the park lock system can let the vehicle move after the gear selector is placed in Park 'P' even though the parking brake is not applied.
Seat Wiring Can Be Damaged, Affecting Side Airbag Deployment
Wiring harnesses for the front swivel seats may have been routed incorrectly.
Rearview camera may show a black screen, raising crash risk
Certain 2019 Sprinter vans sold under the Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner names have multimedia system software that can leave the display black or cause it to reboot after startup.
Loose Front Door Hinge Screws Can Affect Crash Safety
Some 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans may have front door hinge screws that were not tightened properly during assembly.
Power Steering Hose May Detach, Causing Sudden Steering Loss
Certain 2019 Sprinter vans sold under the Freightliner and Mercedes-Benz names have a power steering return line hose that may detach from its connection.
Dashboard display can be too bright, hindering vision
The multifunctional display in the instrument cluster of certain 2019 Sprinter vans may not be adjustable and can appear too bright in some lighting conditions.
Brake Pedal May Detach, Causing Lights to Stay On
The retaining washer and bolt that attach the brake pedal to its bearing block can loosen and come off.
Sliding Door Lock May Fail to Hold in a Crash
The auxiliary lock on the electric sliding door may be the wrong type for this door design.
Rearview camera may display late or be blocked
The rearview camera image may not appear within 2 seconds after you start backing up, and the camera picture can be covered by the emergency call (eCall) pop-up window if that system is activated while the vehicle is in reverse.
Emergency Call System May Send Crash Help to Wrong Location
The software in the communication module of certain Mercedes-Benz Metris and Sprinter vans may fail to send the correct vehicle location through the automatic emergency call system (eCall) after a crash.
Rear brake leaks can cause longer pedal travel and crash risk
Certain Sprinter vans with electric parking brakes may have rear brake calipers that leak brake fluid into the housing of the electric parking brake on the rear axle.
Power Steering Hose May Detach, Causing Sudden Steering Loss
Certain Sprinter vans have power steering return line hoses that can detach at their connection points under some operating conditions.
Brake hoses may leak fluid, risking loss of braking control
Some 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans may have had their brake hoses on the front and rear axles damaged during production.
Loose fuel line clamps can leak fuel and cause fire
Some Sprinter vans have fuel line clamps that may loosen over time.
Most common 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 problems
Problem areas named in the 13 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Structure | 2 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 |
| Seats | 1 |
| Communication | 1 |
| Trailer Hitches | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 |
What owners report
This vehicle with 19711 mileage was parked in the driveway. The engine started normally, but a red error message stated, "Service Required Do Not Shift Gears Visit Dealer". I contacted the local dealership and Mercedes Roadside Assistance was not able to reset the software. The driveshaft was disconnected and two tow trucks were needed to pull the vehicle out of the driveway and then tow to the dealership. The technician found "internal electrical fault in ISM causing shifter not to come out of park". The electronic shifting unit was replaced and the vehicle is functioning normally. The switching unit did not have any external damage and there was no evidence of corrosion on the electr
See attached document for complaint.
We were driving on Rt. 32 north of Canaan Valley State Park in West Virginia. Suddenly the dashboard display began flickering on and off, displaying numerous multiple warning errors and alarms, and the windshield wipers began working and would not shut off. Turn signals would not function. Warning messages included instructions not to shift gears, lane keeping assist and automatic braking disabled, "Steering Malfunction", and many other errors. We have a partial video showing part on the incident. Dealer found evidence of corrosion on the Electronic Ignition System module, and sticking ignition on/off switch, which was indicated as the cause of the problem.
Mercedes Benz 3500 XL Sprinter motorhome, 2020 chassis. May 2023 MB did several recalls & software updates which MB USA headquarters said those changes could've affected the Cruise Control & Adaptive Cruise Control because these systems worked excellently until May '23, in my local MB Sprinter service. These systems have not worked more than 2% of the time. MB keeps changing items with no improvement. I told them to test on I-95 or The turnpike, as that's when we use it safely. Service tech said they're not allowed to test it there; we told them that's when it won't work, when we need it. Dozens of trips keep proving MB needs a permanent fix for the safety features we paid & need. I KEEP TRY
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated that the message âBrake Assist Inoperable - See Ownerâs Manualâ message was displayed. The warning light remained illuminated for several miles before turning off. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on three occasions, where it was diagnosed that there was a low sensor, approximately 1.5 centimeters, and the sensor was adjusted. The fault code displayed was C174AFB on two diagnostic tests. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. Additionally, the mechanic informed the contact to keep the front of the vehicle clean. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.
2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 questions
Does the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 22 safety recalls for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500: Dash Lights Too Bright, Harder to Read While Driving; Loose Driveshaft Bearing Can Reduce Control, Risk Fire; Missing Frame Fasteners Can Reduce Stability and Crash Safety; Partition Wall Bolts May Be Missing, Risking Injury; Instrument Panel May Go Blank, Hiding Speed and Warnings. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500?
Based on 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (6), Structure (2), Air Bags (2).
How do I check if a recall on my 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.