What 79 owners told NHTSA about the 2020 Mercedes-benz Sprinter 2500 Cargo Diesel

None responsive throttle, driving on highway and engine loses power and loses all throttle response causing rapid slowing to traffic behind the vehicle. No warning lamps and CEL’s. Problem occurs at random times with no CEL or warning.

NHTSA ODI 11519989

The cruise control system and related systems (distance control and automatic braking) repeatedly malfunction. Specifically the systems go off and on without warning. For example, when driving at highway speed the systems will suddenly shut off causing the vehicle to slow down (presumably without brake lights to alert the driver behind). Also presumably the automatic braking ceases to work when this happens This problem began shortly after I purchased the vehicle in May 2021 and I have brought it in for three unsuccessful repair attempts. Internet research reveals that this is apparently a common problem.

NHTSA ODI 11491500

The adaptive cruise control system and forward collision system since the vehicle was new has frequently not worked or stops working. The cruise control system that is tied to the forward collision systems would stop working causing the vehicle to decelerate as no throttle input was present and cause the need to use the foot throttle. The vehicle is available for inspection. As this has happened while driving at freeway speeds with traffic around I consider this a hazard. This problem has been present since the vehicle was new and continues to the present time even after dealership fixes. The dealership is aware of this problem and initially tried to “ recalibrate the sensors “ with no success, and finally found that the wire connectors were not connected properly. Since this fix was performed the cruise control has continued to turn off primarily if minimal forward traffic is sensed, but proceeds to reset either later the same day or the following day. As the vehicle his under warranty and has not been involved in an accident the only people who have seen it are the dealership. The vehicle will give two warnings at the time of the system failing 1.”Active Distance Assist Inoperative “, and 2. “Active Brake Assist Functions Limited See Owners Manual”. For the dates and mileage listed below this issue has been present with the vehicle since new to current as an intermittent issue so the dates and mileage do not represent the actual events. Having looked at van blogs on this issue this is an common problem with owners of vans and other Mercedes vehicles with the radar adaptive cruise control referred to as “Distronic “

NHTSA ODI 11488639

VEHICLE ACCELERATES UNCHARACTERISTICALLY SLOWLY UPON COLD START IN COLD TEMPERATURES / HIGH ELEVATION. MANY DOCUMENTED CASES IN PREVIOUS AND CURRENT MODEL SPRINTER WHICH USES THE SAME OM642 DIESEL ENGINE. HTTPS://SPRINTER-SOURCE.COM/FORUMS/INDEX.PHP?THREADS/71254/ THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE TIMES WHERE I TRIED TO CROSS AN INTERSECTION OR MAKE A LEFT ACROSS A HIGHWAY UPON RECENT COLD START AND THE VAN ACCELERATED VERY SLOWLY, LEAVING ME MOVING VERY SLOWLY ACROSS THE OPPOSING TRAFFIC LANE(S).

NHTSA ODI 11406089

WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND PASSING UNDER A ROAD SIGN DESCRIBING THE NEXT EXIT, THE SPRINTER VAN AUTOMATIC CRASH AVOIDANCE KICKED IN, CAUSING THE VAN TO AUTOMATICALLY JAM ON THE BRAKES AND LOSE APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHILE CAUSING THE WHEEL TO PULL DECIDEDLY TO THE LEFT. THERE WERE NO VEHICLES IN FRONT OR BEHIND, AND THANKFULLY ENOUGH NONE CLOSE ENOUGH TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON OCCURRENCE, AND EVEN IF THE BRAKES DO NOT ENGAGE, THE CRASH AVOIDANCE ALERT SOUND WILL OFTEN TIMES CHIME AND STARTLE THE DRIVER FOR OTHER OVERHEAD OBSTACLES LIKE TRAFFIC SIGNS AND TUNNEL ENTRIES. THIS FEATURE, ALONG WITH LANE DEPARTURE ASSIST (WHICH ALSO IS BUGGY) AUTOMATICALLY TURNS ON AFTER EVERY RESTART, EVEN AFTER BEING TURNED OFF MANUALLY. IT IS UNSAFE.

NHTSA ODI 11397255