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Electrical systemPart report

2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 Electrical system Problems

Complaints
20about this part
Share
25%of 80 total for the year
Median mileage
10,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the electrical system of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500, 25% of the 80 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 10,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 6 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11354158, filed 2020-09, 5,200 miles

“The rear camera has gone out on numerous occasions. When I place the vehicle in reverse, my infotainment displays a black area with a camera with a line through it, indicating the rear camera is not working. I’m not sure if it’s the same issue as issue “21V411” that affected other 19-21 Mercedes Sprinter vans but it seems like it from what was described.”

NHTSA complaint #11520784, filed 2023-05

“On November 28, 2025, I experienced a vehicle fire in my Mercedes 2020 Sprinter 2500 4WD van. The van engine was on and idling while heating up with the van heater blower on level 6 (out of 7). After about 45 minutes, I saw a haze first and then smelled smoke. Unsure of the source, I turned the vehicle off and exited with my dog. I opened the hood to look for smoke in the engine bay. No smoke under the hood. I contact Mercedes Roadside and open the driver side door where I see flames under the seat. …”

NHTSA complaint #11703896, filed 2025-12

“On Sept 6 2021 the engine suddenly stalled/stopped while driving on 194 west of Pullman Wa. A partial restart enabled me to move to a safer location. The Check Engine light came on. I used myOBD scanner to identify engine failure fault codes. Electrical sensor short circuits were identified. Vehicle was transported to a MB dealer in Spokane where a chaffed engine wiring harness was identified as the cause. MB engineers in Stuttgart Germany confirmed this diagnosis. …”

NHTSA complaint #11434506, filed 2021-09

“Bought vehicle 26 sep 20 from general rv in draper, utah I was informed of the winnebago revel 2nd alternator recall number 162 had to be completed before I drove the vehicle off the lot. So, I was told [per manager mike mallory] it was completed on october 10th and thus drove it off the lot on october 22nd, 2020. Fast forward four months to feb 2021 as started to notice a god-awful squealing sound when I started the vehicle no matter what temperatures and it has progressively got worse up until april now. …”

NHTSA complaint #11414506, filed 2021-04

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2024217%
2023211%
2022923%
2021920%
20202025%
2019913%
2018214%
2017323%
2016311%
201529%
201438%
201315%
2011214%
2010214%

Other parts of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500

Transmission and drivetrain
18 complaintsEngine
15 complaintsForward collision avoidance
14 complaintsBrakes
12 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsLane departure
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsSeats
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology