The Lemon IndexAll carsMercedes-BenzSprinter2021
202020223rd generation
46 owner complaints, first 3 years — combined, EPA
When problems show up
Only 6 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 24V930000 (electrical), 23V875000 (body structure) and 23V876000 (body structure) done? It has 18 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- 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.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Mercedes-Benz sent dealers 144 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “15MPH Noise on propeller shaft/rear axle”?
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 46 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 22K miles (1K to 37K km) on the car (6 of all 46 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
I have had several occurrences of a stuttering and/or lagging acceleration when stepping on the accelerator.
2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter owner · NHTSA complaint 11485583
More owner reports
Engine throttle does not respond to input from accelerator pedal.
NHTSA complaint 11511865
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 2021 is the same generation.
Problems Mercedes-Benz told dealers about
Mercedes-Benz sent dealers 144 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- 15MPH Noise on propeller shaft/rear axle
- Complaint Distronic and/or Active Brake Assist inoperative after driving for an extended…
- Complaint: Noises when reversing slowly <5 km/h (squeaking) Cause: There is a seal in the…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 18
- 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 18 recalls
- Body structure · recall issued 2023
The topcoat paint formula may cause the windows and interior lashing rails to be insufficiently bonded to the vehicle.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2023
The fuel pump may shutdown, which can result in a loss of drive power.
- 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
The generator wiring harness may be incorrectly connected to the electric power steering, which can result in an electrical surge.
- 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.
- Suspension · recall issued 2022
The shim on the torsion bar was installed incorrectly during assembly.
- Equipment · recall issued 2022
The gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) may be improperly stated on the tire and loading label.
- Body structure · recall issued 2021
The spring-loaded rear step bolt fasteners were not properly tightened.
- Brakes · recall issued 2021
The front axle fender liner and brake hose may be too close, allowing the fender liner to contact and damage the brake hose.
- Electrical · recall issued 2021
A cable duct may drop out of place due to unlatched engagement hooks inside the battery case.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2021
The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly.
- 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.
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 Cargo VAN RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 Passenger VAN RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Every Mercedes-Benz Sprinter year. 2021 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.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2021 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mercedes-benz-sprinter/?y=2021" 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/2021/">Lemon Index</a> (2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew a bit more than the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 117; 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 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are automatic emergency braking (35%), transmission & drivetrain (13%) and brakes (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter have?
18 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 13% of its owner complaints.
What Mercedes-Benz Sprinter year is better than the 2021?
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