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What 4 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 Mercedes-benz Sprinter (vs30)

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (4)Crash / fire / injury (2)Brakes (1)Electrical system (1)Engine (1)Equipment (1)Trailer Hitches (1)Transmission & drivetrain (1)

Newest first · 4 complaints

Dec 23, 2023BrakesEngineFire

At approximately 104 miles into a recent trip in our RV, while traveling at highway speed under cruise control, we noticed a strange odor. Almost at the same moment we immediately lost engine and braking power. The check engine light came on. We then noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment and noxious fumes had begun to enter the cabin area. After pulling to the side of the highway by use of the emergency brake, we were able to exit the vehicle. Flames could be seen coming from the engine bay and quickly engulfed the RV giving my wife, myself, and our dog only enough time to exit and get a safe distance away. The RV burned to basically nothing but the frame left.

NHTSA ODI 11561668

Apr 27, 2022Electrical system

The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated that while seated in the swivel chair inside the vehicle, she turned the swivel chair around to watch the television and several unknown warning lights started flashing on and off and the vehicle would not start. The contact stated that an independent mechanic was contacted and arrived at the residence to service the vehicle. An unknown repair was performed and the vehicle was able to be started. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the contact was informed that the seat wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the contact was concerned that by using electrical tape in the repair, the repair was not properly completed. The contact stated that while researching the failure, she became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V410000 (Electrical System, Back Over Prevention) which she related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 15,000.

NHTSA ODI 11462472

Dec 17, 2021Trailer HitchesEquipment

The contact owns a 2020 Tiffin Wayfarer Motorhome built on a 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500/4500 chassis. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55-65 MPH, the water tank fell onto the exhaust system. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 21V610000 (Trailer Hitches) and 21V753000 (Equipment). The contact called the local dealer who stated additional hours were needed to complete the repairs. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified however, declined the repairs. Parts distribution disconnect. The approximate failure mileage was 15,000.

NHTSA ODI 11444190

Mar 25, 2021Transmission & drivetrainCrash

ACCIDENT ON 10/15/2020, UNOCCUPIED VEHICLE ROLLED FROM A PARKED POSITION DOWN A HILL AND STRUCK A HOUSE. THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT TO PARK WHEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS OPEN, AND THIS SYSTEM WAS FUNCTIONAL AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. DISENGAGEMENT OF THE PARKING PAWL WAS THE CAUSE OF THE EVENT.

NHTSA ODI 11404891

Working with the data? Download all 4 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 21, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2019 Mercedes-benz Sprinter (vs30) verdict →