Freightliner Sprinter 2500 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints across the 3 model years of the Freightliner Sprinter 2500 (2003–2020) that have at least 5 complaints. 2020 has the most, with 7. Across all years, the part named most often is engine (6 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All Sprinter 2500 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 7 | 300 | 17 | 50 | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 5 | 71,200 | 5 | 101 | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 6 | 281,500 | 5 | 19 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Engine6 38%
- Air bags4 25%
- Vehicle speed control1 6.3%
- Suspension1 6.3%
- Other or unknown1 6.3%
- Lane departure1 6.3%
- Fuel system1 6.3%
- Forward collision avoidance1 6.3%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2008: “Daimler has no authorized repair facility within my state. The closest repair location is in austin, tx, 900 miles away, one way!! There are two authorized sprinter repair locations within 10 miles of my location that have performed mechanical/engine repairs in the past. Can they be authorized to perform the repairs to the airbags?”
NHTSA complaint #10924020, filed 2016-11, 71,200 miles2020: “Color instrument cluster including color display between the speedometer and tachometer will not dim at night. The resulting wash of light makes seeing out the side mirrors or anything at night very difficult. Van is not safe to drive at night. Manufacture confirms the problem but has no fix.”
NHTSA complaint #11389057, filed 2021-01, 300 miles2003: “Vehicle experienced reduced power and whoosh sound. Found intake manifold with cracks leaking exhaust from EGR runner. Made temporary repair on the road and was able to return to shop. Found there was a recall on this part (2010-040002) but have been unable to get repair from daimler vans USA.”
NHTSA complaint #10615198, filed 2014-07, 243,000 milesOther Freightliner models
245 complaintsFreightliner Freightliner
112 complaintsFreightliner Columbia
86 complaintsFreightliner Conventional
58 complaintsFreightliner Century
36 complaintsFreightliner Business Class M2
31 complaintsFreightliner FS-65
29 complaintsFreightliner FL-70
24 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology