2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter: common problems and reliability
One of the worst Sprinter years.
One of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter years to avoid. All Sprinter years
508 owner complaints, most about electrical system. 25 recalls.
Should I buy a 2020 Sprinter?The 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has 508 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 25 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and power train.
Safety record for the 2020 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Sprinter years only. How we score it
Is 2020 a good year for the Sprinter?
Across the 8 Sprinter model years we track, complaint volume runs from 25 (2018) to 508 (2020). With 508 complaints, the 2020 Sprinter sits above the model's median of 258.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2020 Sprinter
service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper
Campaign 20V802000Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles equipped with electric parking brakes. The rear brake calipers may leak brake fluid into the housing of the electric parking brake connected to the rear axle service brake system, allowing air to enter the hydraulic brake system.
service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Campaign 20V631000Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The outer area of the brake hoses on the front and rear axles may have been damaged during production.
electrical system:software
Campaign 21V055000Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2016-2020 Mercedes-Benz Metris and 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the event of a crash.
electrical system
Campaign 21V410000Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling 2019-2021 Mercedes Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles equipped with swivel seats. The wiring harnesses for the front seats may have been routed incorrectly and could become jammed and damaged in the swivel seat frames.
Show 21 more recalls
electrical system:software
Campaign 21V411000Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The MBUX multimedia system software may cause the display to remain black, or reboot after startup. This could result in the rearview camera image not displaying properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections
Campaign 21V241000Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mercedes Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The hydraulic power steering return line hoses may detach and cause hydraulic fluid to leak.
fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Campaign 20V595000Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling 2019-2020 Mercedes Benz and Freightliner Sprinters. The fuel line clamps may loosen and result in a fuel leak.
electrical system:software
Campaign 21V972000Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. A software error in the park lock system may allow the vehicle to move after the gear selector has been placed in the Park 'P' position without the parking brake applied.
electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Campaign 21V235000Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mercedes Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The multifunctional display in the instrument cluster 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, "Control and Displays."
latches/locks/linkages:doors:lock
Campaign 21V153000Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mercedes Benz Sprinter vehicles equipped with an optional electric sliding door. The auxiliary lock on the sliding door may be the incorrect type for an electric sliding door. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 226, "Ejection Mitigation."
service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages
Campaign 21V152000Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The retaining washer and bolt that connect the brake pedal to the bearing block, may come loose and detach. This could cause the brake lights to stay illuminated, even when the brake pedal is not pressed.
back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Campaign 21V077000Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mercedes Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles equipped with the multimedia system "Connect 5" and a rearview camera. The rearview image may not display within 2 seconds from the start of the backing event. In addition, the rearview image may be obscured or covered by the visual display of the Emergency Call (eCall) pop-up window if the eCall system is activated while the reverse gear is engaged. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
structure:body:door:hinge and attachments
Campaign 21V359000Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The screws for the front door hinges may not have been tightened properly.
steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections
Campaign 20V663000Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Mercedes Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The hydraulic power steering return line hoses may detach at their connection points under certain operating conditions, causing hydraulic fluid to leak.
back over prevention:display function
Campaign 22V281000Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Freightliner Sprinter and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The rearview camera may not display the rearview image due to a software error. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
electrical system:software
Campaign 22V360000Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Freightliner Sprinter, Mercedes-Benz Metris, and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. An error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system.
power train:automatic transmission:internal:park pawl
Campaign 22V796000Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles equipped with a manual parking brake and 7-speed automatic transmission. The guide bushing on the parking pawl may fatigue, which can cause the parking pawl not to engage and result in vehicle rollaway.
electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Campaign 23V204000Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and 2019-2021 Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The instrument cluster may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started.
structure:critical fasteners
Campaign 23V875000Daimler 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.
structure:critical fasteners
Campaign 23V876000Daimler 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.
structure:body
Campaign 23V874000Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The connection between the propeller shaft bearing and crossmember may loosen, reducing vehicle control.
electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Campaign 24V930000Daimler 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."
service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc
Campaign 21V854000Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling one 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicle. The front axle was equipped with the incorrect-size brake discs.
air bags:side/window
Campaign 20V322000Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Spinter vans (platform 970 (VS30)), equipped with swivel seats. The wiring harnesses for the front seats may have been routed incorrectly and could become jammed and damaged in the swivel seat frames.
visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:fan/motor
Campaign 23V100000Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter VS30 and Freightliner Sprinter VS30 vehicles. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) blower motor circuit may be inadequate, which can allow the wiring harness to overheat.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is sharply divided by generation and use case.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Sprinter. See the full Sprinter owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Sprinter listings typically run $44,993–$51,874 across 2019 to 2026 model years.
Other Sprinter model years
Compare every Sprinter year side by side to see how 2020 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Sprinter against its rivals
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