The Lemon IndexAll carsMercedes-BenzSprinter2020
201920213rd generation
83 owner complaints, first 3 years — combined, EPA
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 700 and 7,000 miles (1,100–11,000 km) (the middle half of the 27 complaints, of all 83 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 24V930000 (electrical), 23V875000 (body structure) and 23V876000 (body structure) done? It has 22 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Has it ever braked hard for no reason? Ask whether the safety-system software was updated.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Mercedes-Benz sent dealers 141 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Noise from propeller shaft/rear axle from approx”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Mercedes-Benz's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 83 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 0K to 7K miles (1K to 11K km) on the car (27 of all 83 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
crosswind assist randomly kicking in, acting in a dangerous manner. Vehicle swirl, almost fish tailing. Other times it randomly slams on the brakes, slows down by 10mph, almost got rear ended.
2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter owner · NHTSA complaint 11531538
More owner reports
Active brake assist inoperable and cruise control is not available when this occurs
NHTSA complaint 11441463
2020 mercedes benz Sprinter 3500. Consumer writes regarding a defective backup camera and lane watch.
NHTSA complaint 11407676
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 29.7M views · 2019–2025 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
- Oil changes & service294K views
2021+ Mercedes Sprinter Oil Reset (Big Dash Screen)Huey866 · 141K views · 6 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring289K views
2019+ sprinter reset service light 👍Ultimate D I Y · 275K views · 2 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank126K views
![Fuel filter replacement on a 2020 Mercedes Sprinter 3.0L V6 diesel OM642 [Service B]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fd2h4g80SGs/mqdefault.jpg)
Fuel filter replacement on a 2020 Mercedes Sprinter 3.0L V6 diesel OM642 [Service B]Out of Ipswich · 40K views · 4 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door82K views
2019 Mercedes Sprinter Heater Blowing Cold Air DIY repairMERCEDES SPRINTER TECH | VAN LIFE | · 61K views · 2 videos
Show 4 more
- Brakes & ABS50K views
2019 - 2023 Mercedes Benz Sprinter Passenger Van 2500 3.0 VS30 - Replacing Front Brake Pads & RotorsDan the Fix it Man · 24K views · 3 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors43K views
How to: Mercedes Sprinter V6 Diesel EGR Valve Cleaning (2019-2022).I Am A Travel Addict · 43K views - Infotainment, battery & electrical36K views
2019+ Sprinter 907 Battery ReplacementHuey866 · 19K views · 2 videos - Death wobble & steering16K views
Mercedes-Benz | Sprinter 2024 | How To Adjust The Seat And Steering WheelMercedes-Benz Vans · 16K views
Before you buy, watch
2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van Expert Buyer Review: Watch This Before You Buy One!The Fast Lane Truck · 526K views
Should you buy a 4x4 2022 Mercedes Sprinter?ILoveProperty · 30K views
2024 Mercedes Sprinter VIP Luxury KING VAN - Full Review Interior ExteriorMercBenzKing · 3.1M viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2020 is the same generation.
Problems Mercedes-Benz told dealers about
Mercedes-Benz sent dealers 141 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Noise from propeller shaft/rear axle from approx
- Noise on propeller shaft/rear axle from approx
- 15MPH Noise on propeller shaft/rear axle
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 22
- Electrical · recall issued 2024
The instrument cluster illumination may not be adjustable and appear too bright in certain lighting conditions.
- Body structure · recall issued 2023
The longitudinal frame members may be missing reinforcement fasteners, reducing vehicle stability and decreasing the structural integrity of the third-row seats.
- Body structure · recall issued 2023
The partition wall may be missing bolts, allowing the wall to detach during a crash.
Show all 22 recalls
- Body structure · recall issued 2023
The connection between the propeller shaft bearing and crossmember may loosen, reducing vehicle control.
- Electrical · recall issued 2023
The instrument cluster may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2022
The guide bushing on the parking pawl may fatigue, which can cause the parking pawl not to engage and result in vehicle rollaway.
- Electrical · recall issued 2022
An error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2022
The rearview camera may not display the rearview image due to a software error.
- Electrical · recall issued 2021
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 · recall issued 2021
The MBUX multimedia system software may cause the display to remain black, or reboot after startup.
- Electrical · recall issued 2021
The wiring harnesses for the front seats may have been routed incorrectly and could become jammed and damaged in the swivel seat frames.
- Body structure · recall issued 2021
The screws for the front door hinges may not have been tightened properly.
- Steering · recall issued 2021
The hydraulic power steering return line hoses may detach and cause hydraulic fluid to leak.
- Electrical · recall issued 2021
The multifunctional display in the instrument cluster may not be adjustable and appear too bright in certain lighting conditions.
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2021
The auxiliary lock on the sliding door may be the incorrect type for an electric sliding door.
- Brakes · recall issued 2021
The retaining washer and bolt that connect the brake pedal to the bearing block, may come loose and detach.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2021
The rearview image may not display within 2 seconds from the start of the backing event.
- Electrical · recall issued 2021
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.
- Brakes · recall issued 2020
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.
- Steering · recall issued 2020
The hydraulic power steering return line hoses may detach at their connection points under certain operating conditions, causing hydraulic fluid to leak.
- Brakes · recall issued 2020
The outer area of the brake hoses on the front and rear axles may have been damaged during production.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2020
A fuel leak can increase the risk of a fire.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Mercedes-Benz Sprinter recall, all years · All Mercedes-Benz recalls
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 12 Passenger Van RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 Cargo Van RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Every Mercedes-Benz Sprinter year. 2020 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 2 older years (2007–2008, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 11 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2020 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mercedes-benz-sprinter/?y=2020" title="Mercedes-Benz Sprinter reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="468" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/mercedes-benz-sprinter/2020/">Lemon Index</a> (2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about twice the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 229; 100 is average, lower is better). The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2015.
What are the most common 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (25%), automatic emergency braking (25%) and transmission & drivetrain (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter have?
22 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage do 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 700 and 7,000 miles (1,100–11,000 km) (the middle half of the 27 complaints, of all 83 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2020 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 17% of its owner complaints.
What Mercedes-Benz Sprinter year is better than the 2020?
Nearby, the 2022 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2015 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works