What 21 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Mercedes-benz Sprinter 2500 Crew Van (swb)

The right rear axle shaft assembly wheel bearing seal failed. The right rear ABS Sensor, aka (rotational Speed Sensor, wheel speed sensor) failed. These parts are available for inspection. The vehicle unexpectedly accelerated without me pressing the accelerator as I approached a red light at an intersection, putting my safety and others at risk. I had to slam on the brakes with all my might to get the vehicle to stop from going through the intersection. The road was wet, and the front wheels locked while the rear wheels continued to be driven by the engine without any input from the accelerator pedal. Eventually, the vehicle stopped, and the engine acceleration went back to normal operation. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. The vehicle and parts have been inspected by me, as the vehicle owner. The warning lamps suddenly illuminated on the instrument panel just prior to the incident. The warning lamps came on as I was approaching the intersection. The warning lamps that came on were the engine diagnostic indicator lamp aka Malfunction indicator lamp, the Anti-lock brake system warning light, the brake assist system warning light, the electronic stability program warning light. I also hear what sounded like the ABS Control Unit rapidly cycling just prior to the uncontrolled acceleration while nearing the intersection. I used diagnostic equipment and performed a visual inspection of the components, concluding that they needed replacement. Grease from the leaking right rear wheel bearing seal fouled the right rear wheel speed sensor. The wheel speed sensor cable develops cracks near the wheel hub. I believe these parts are defective and can cause erratic, uncontrollable, unsafe driving risks that could lead to accidents and injuries. The symptoms and warning indications went away after the parts were replaced. I still have these parts as I feel they should be inspected by NHTSA personnel to make a safety recall.

NHTSA ODI 11666918

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking engine oil with the oil warning light flashing on the instrument panel. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the VIN regarding the issue. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

NHTSA ODI 11554053

The electronic steering lock "jams". The only way to get the ignition to turn is to jack up the front tires to release the pressure on the wheels and jiggle the steering wheel while trying to start the car. Even doing this isn't instantaneous. Sometimes you have to physically wiggle the tires left/right while jiggling the wheel. This is well documented on Youtube/other internet sites. This has happened at least 6 or more times and has been taken into the Sprinter Dealer for repair. They couldn't replicate the issue and therefore did nothing.

NHTSA ODI 11501311

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX. 65 MPH THE CRUISE CONTROL WENT OFF AND THREE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON INCLUDING ABS AND 2 OTHER NEXT THAT ONE LOOKING LIKE A SWERVE CONTROL OR SLIPPERY ROAD CONDITION AND ANOTHER TIRE LOOKING LIGHT. NOT SURE OF OTHER TWO LIGHT AS THIS WAS MY FIRST DRIVE IN THIS VEHICLE WHICH I HAD DRIVEN AROUND 800 MILES THIS DAY. I PULLED OVER AND ATTEMPTED TO GET BACK ON THE ROAD AS I WAS IN A DANGEROUS LOCATION ON A STEEP HILL. UPON RESTART IT STARTED TO REV THEN BRAKE MULTIPLE TIMES CAUSING GREAT DANGER IN MY ATTEMPT TO GET BACK ON THE ROAD. I IMMEDIATELY WENT INTO NEXT SIDE EXIT AND SHIP OFF. IT WAS AN EXTREMELY COLD NIGHT AND I HAD TO SPEND THE NIGHT IN MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11389718

MERCEDES BENZ 2500 2013 V6 DIESEL. YELLOW ENGINE WARNING LIGHT AND THE EBT YELLOW WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND ANOTHER WARNING ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THERE ARE 5 MORE ENGINE STARTS REMAINING AND IT WILL NOT START IF DRIVEN MORE THAN 340 MILES. BOTH THE ERG VALVE AND THE EBT TANK AND HEATER HAVE BEEN REPLACED. WE WERE DRIVING UNDER AN EVACUATION ALERT BECAUSE OF FIRE. SPEED WAS 45-50 MPH. THIS INCIDENT HAS PUT US IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE WE ARE DEPENDENT IN THE SPRINTER FOR EVACUATION. THE DEALER IS 40 MILES AWAY AND CANNOT SERVICE THE SPRINTER UNTIL THE END OF SEPTEMBER. LAST NIGHT WE READ ABOUT MERCEDES BENZ EPA SETTLEMENT BECAUSE OF A DEFEAT PROGRAM AND FAULTY EMISSION COMPONENTS. WHAT CAN WE DO?

NHTSA ODI 11355406

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS WATER IN BOTH HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. IN ADDITION, THE LOW BEAM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF TAMPA (866-342-3941, LOCATED AT 4400 N DALE MABRY HWY, TAMPA, FL 33614) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS WATER CONDENSATION IN THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES AND THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000.

NHTSA ODI 11256129

WHEN I TURN ON MY VEHICLE IT SHOWS LOW BEAM RIGHT LEFT I TAKE IT TO THE BENZ DEALER IN TAMPA THE PROBLEM THEY CAME UP WITH WATER INTRUSION IN BOTH FRONT HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLE. HEAD LAMP UNIT FOUND CONDENSATION FORMING IN HEADLAMPS. THEY RECOMMEND REPLACING ENTIRE ASSEMBLY AS NO REPAIR CAN BE PERFORMED TOTAL COST $4230.14. GOT INTOUCH WITH THE EXEC. REFERRAL MANAGER TO SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE BUT WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL. I THINK THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE A RECALL. I DON'T SEE WHY I HAVE TO PAY TO FIX PROBLEM THEIR SHOULD BE NO CONDENSATION AT ALL SO I LEFT WITH ONLY DRIVING MY VEHICLE DURING THE DAY I CANNOT DRIVE AT NIGHTS WITH NO LIGHT. YOUR EARLY ATTENTION TO MY PROBLEM WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. SINCERELY, [XXX] REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC *TR

NHTSA ODI 11255765

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ENGAGE IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER MERCEDES-BENZ OF RENO (11500 S VIRGINIA ST, RENO, NV 89511, (855) 661-9151) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER CHECKING THE OIL AND OIL FILTER, THE ENGINE FROZE WHILE DRIVING. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A LACK OF OIL. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS INDICATING THE VEHICLE NEEDED OIL. THE VEHICLE ALSO LACKS ENOUGH POWER TO REVERSE UP AN INCLINE, SUCH AS A DRIVEWAY.*JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE'S HAVE PERSISTED SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT SEEMS AS IF THE COMPUTER WAS NOT COMMUNICATING WITH THE OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN THE VEHICLE SUCH AS LIGHTING, TORQUE CONVERTER AND TRANSMISSION. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11206848

TAKATA RECALL: FOR 25 YEARS WE HAVE HAD A SERIES OF MOTOR HOMES THAT WE USED FOR WEEKEND TRIPS AND LONGER VACATIONS. WE BOUGHT OUR CURRENT RV (WHICH IS OUR THIRD ONE) AS A NEW VEHICLE IN EARLY 2013. IT IS A WINNEBAGO VIEW THAT IS ON A 2013 MERCEDES SPRINTER CHASSIS (VIN: XXXX). WE ARE VERY DISSATISFIED WITH MERCEDES BENZ AND WITH OUR VEHICLE WHICH HAS A LONG-STANDING RECALL FOR THE TAKATA AIRBAGS. MERCEDES HAS ALREADY REPLACED OUR DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG, BUT AFTER MANY MONTHS WE ARE STILL ON A WAITING LIST FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. OUR DEALER, TYSINGER MERCEDES IN VIRGINIA, IS UNABLE TO TELL US WHEN OUR DEFECTIVE AIRBAG WILL BE REPLACED. THIS VEHICLE WAS INTENDED TO BE THE SOURCE OF MANY TRIPS FOR US DURING OUR RETIREMENT. AFTER WORKING FOR NEARLY 50 YEARS INCLUDING A MILITARY CAREER, WE ARE STUCK WITH A VERY EXPENSIVE VEHICLE THAT HAS A FATAL SAFETY FLAW AND WE ARE EFFECTIVELY DENIED OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO ON THE TRIPS THAT WE SO EAGERLY ANTICIPATED. WE REJECT MERCEDES' EXPLANATIONS: --THE STATE THAT THEY HAVE NOT SEEN ANY TAKATA-RELATED INJURIES IN THEIR VEHICLES, IMPLYING THAT INCIDENTS ARE ALL BUT IMPOSSIBLE FOR MERCEDES VEHICLES. BUT NHTSA HAS DETERMINED THAT TAKATA AIRBAGS ARE DEFECTIVE AND THE INFLATORS COULD EXPLODE CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH. MERCEDES LEGAL LIABILITY IS THE PRIMARY REASON THAT MERCEDES DECIDED TO REPLACE THEM. --WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT IF WE WERE TO EXPERIENCE AN AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT THAT WE WOULD MOVE TO THE TOP OF THE LIST FOR REPLACEMENT, EVIDENCE THAT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. --THEY HAVE STATED THAT THEY ARE SUBJECT TO MANUFACTURE, BUT THIS PIPELINE BELONGS TO THEM. --THEY HAVE STATED THAT THEY ARE TAKING STEPS TO MINIMIZE CUSTOMER INCONVENIENCE BUT SHOW NO INTEREST IN KEEPING US INFORMED. WE WANT MERCEDES TO REPAIR THIS DANGEROUS AIRBAG OR TO COMPENSATE US FOR THE LOSS OF THIS VEHICLE. REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11157082

TAKATA RECALL - I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG PRIOR TO RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG ON MARCH 2018. I TOOK MY SPRINTER TO THE DEALERSHIP ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2018 FOR REPLACEMENT. AFTER RECEIVING MY SPRINTER BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIP, I NOTICED THAT ONLY THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG HAD BEEN REPLACED. I CONTACTED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ABOUT THIS, AND WAS TOLD THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND WOULD NOT BE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. CONSIDERING HOW DANGEROUS THESE AIRBAGS ARE, IT SEEMS THAT A WAIT TIME OF CURRENTLY SEVEN MONTHS AND EXPECTING A DELAY OF ANOTHER SEVERAL MONTHS IS UNACCEPTABLY LONG.

NHTSA ODI 11133055

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500 (M2CV144). THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICES FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 18V032000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V077000 (AIR BAGS). MERCEDES-BENZ OF LONG BEACH (2300 EAST SPRING STREET, SIGNAL HILL, CA 90755, (888)-340-8366) STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE FOR 18V032000 AND PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT FOR 16V077000.

NHTSA ODI 11133141

TAKATA RECALL - UNABLE TO GET DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE AIRBAG

NHTSA ODI 11104538

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V032000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF ST. GEORGE (1792 S BLACK RIDGE DR., ST. GEORGE, UT 84770, (435) 634-7500) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11102806

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V032000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG, BUT NOT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND THERE WAS NO REMEDY YET FOR THE RECALL. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11096503

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE MOVED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF MASSAPEQUA (101 EAST SUNRISE HIGHWAY, AMITYVILLE, NY 11701, (631) 213-2023) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE TIRES NEEDED AIR. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS WORKING AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,092.

NHTSA ODI 11084997

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V032000 (AIR BAGS), BUT THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT *TR

NHTSA ODI 11083263

TAKATA RECALL - IT APPEARS THAT MERCEDES, LIKE MANY, REMAINS CONVINCED THAT THEY CAN EVADE THE COST OF APPROPRIATE REPAIRS BY SIMPLY STATING THERE IS NO REMEDY YET AVAILABLE. HOWEVER, AS A CONSUMER I FIND THIS UNACCEPTABLE. THEY ARE SIDE STEPPING THEIR RESPONSIBILITY AND MY FAMILY IS ONE BEARING IT. THEY NEED TO FIND A SOLUTION AND IMPLEMENT IT. NOT ONLY IS THERE AN ISSUE OF SAFETY, BUT THEIR LACK OF A TIMELY SOLUTION HAS ECONOMIC IMPACTS. I WAS RECENTLY TOLD THAT I COULD NOT RECEIVE FAIR VALUE FOR A TRADE A THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP DUE TO THIS RECALL. THE DEALER INDICATED THEY COULD NOT SELL THE CAR ON THEIR LOT DUE TO THE AIRBAG ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 10985441

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V077000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 10946330

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V073000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 10920180

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V077000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN APRIL OF 2016. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE GIVEN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 10862613

I HAVE REPLACED AS OF TODAY 7/7/2015 -4 RIMS ON MY VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY KEEP CRACKING/ SPLITTING 1 EVEN HAD PIN HOLES. NOT ONLY IS THIS DANGEROUS TO ME AND WIFE. BUT COSTLY AS WELL FOR THE PRICE AND SITTING 2 DAYS WAITING FOR RIM. MY ENTIRE LIFE I HAVE NEVER OF STEEL RIMS DOING THIS.

NHTSA ODI 10732377