Sep 10, 2020Electrical system
MERCEDES HAS LOCATED A DASHBOARD DRINK HOLDER DIRECTLY ABOVE A VENT THAT OPENS TO THE STARTER ELECTRICAL MODULE AND CIRCUIT BOARD. THE DRINK HOLDERS ARE VERY SHALLOW, AND UNSTABLE. THE LOCATION ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DASH, NEXT TO A VENT THAT LEADS TO THE STARTER CIRCUIT BOARD IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I ACCIDENTLY SPILLED COFFEE ON THE DASH DRINK HOLDERS, AND THE SUBSEQUENT SPILL LED TO THE STARTER MODULE TO SHORT CIRCUIT, STRANDING OUR SPRINTER VAN, WHICH WOULD NOT START FOR OVER AN HOUR. ONCE STARTED AND DRIVEN FOR AWHILE, THE VAN WOULD NOT TURN OFF UNTIL PUSHING THE STARTER BUTTON CONTINUALLY FOR 20 MINUTES.
NHTSA ODI 11354158
Aug 30, 2020SteeringElectronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes
THE ACTIVE LANE KEEPING ASSIST IS HIGHLY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE PERMANENTLY DISABLED OR REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. I NARROWLY AVOIDED GETTING INTO A ACCIDENT. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE LEFT LANE AND HAD TO SERVE AROUND SOME DUMP ITEMS THAT FELL OF THE BACK OF THE TRUCK AHEAD. THE ACTIVE LANE KEEPING ASSIST FORCED THE VAN BACK INTO THE LANE AND TOWARDS THE JUNK IN THE ROAD AND ENDED UP RUNNING OVER IT. IT COULD OF BEEN A LOT WORSE IF THE OBJECT WAS BIGGER, A CAR, PERSON OR ANIMAL. I SHOULD BE ABLE TO TURN IT OFF ONCE! NOT EVERY TIME I HAVE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THIS WORRIES ME ESPECIALLY. WITH ALL THE SPRINTER VANS I SEE OUT THERE ON THE ROAD EVERYDAY
NHTSA ODI 11352167
Aug 15, 2020Steering
BOTTOM POWER STEERING HOSE COMING LOOSE ... NOT A SOLID CLAMP.. REPLACED WITH REAL HOSE CLAMP BEFORE THE POPPED OFF.
NHTSA ODI 11349553
Jul 28, 2020Transmission & drivetrain
THE 4WD IN THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT DISENGAGE PROPERLY EVEN WHEN DONE PER THE OWNERS MANUAL INSTRUCTIONS. UNDER 1,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE . FOR EXAMPLE, I STOPPED THE VEHICLE, SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL, ENGAGED 4WD AND DROVE FOR 15-20 MINUTES ON A DIRT ROAD. I PULLED OVER TO ENJOY THE VIEW, PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK BUT LEFT THE ENGINE RUNNING. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE VEHICLE BACK INTO DRIVE, THE 4WD DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO DISENGAGE (WITHOUT ME PUSHING THE BUTTON TO DO SO) AND IT MADE ALL SORTS OF LOUD GRINDING AND CLANGING SOUNDS AS THE MECHANICAL PARTS BASHED AROUND. I WENT TO NEUTRAL TO DISENGAGE AND THAT DID NOT SOLVE IT. IT REFUSED TO GO BACK TO 4WD EITHER AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS INOPERABLE. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF SEVERAL TIMES AND FINALLY GOT IT TO BE DRIVABLE AGAIN IN 4WD. ALL OF THIS HAPPENED ON A FOREST SERVICE DIRT ROAD, ALMOST FLAT SURFACE WITH JUST A SLIGHT ANGLE BACKWARD IF I TOOK FOOT OFF BRAKE.
NHTSA ODI 11341881