2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500: sudden loss of power

Filed Jan 13, 2025 · Steering · 22,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the power steering functionality returned. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power steering hose had detached and had lost power steering fluid. The vehicle was repaired, and the mechanic informed the contact that there were metal shavings found in the power steering pump. The contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who diagnosed and determined that the power steering pump needed to be flushed and refilled. The contact was informed that metal shavings were found in the power steering pump. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V241000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000.

Filed Aug 30, 2021 · Steering · CA

I took my vehicle in for a recall on power steering hose 12/20. They said it was fixed. Last week I was driving down a 9000 foot mountain with my family when the power steering hose disconnected and I lost power steering while coming down an 8% grade. We almost went over the edge but luckily I was able to engage my brake fast enough to stop us just before the guard rail. We nearly died. This recall was supposedly fixed and it wasn't. I contacted the MB dealer where I bought the van and was given a non-reassuring answer that they'll take a look at it but no real concrete reasoning as to why this happened even after having it fixed.

Filed Aug 24, 2020 · Steering · 5,000 miles · CA

As is now commonly being reported with these vehicles, the lower power steering hose clamp is inadequate and the hose is slipping off the pump. This would lead to a total lose of power steering. This was purchased new and now has 5000 miles on it.

Filed Aug 13, 2020 · Steering · 23 miles · CO

Lower power steering hose detaching from cooler potentially causing loss of power steering. I have 23 miles on the van. This is a known issue across sprinter forums.

Filed Aug 9, 2020 · Steering · 3,600 miles · CO

This afternoon (2020-08-09) the power steering system on my van failed. No warning, no warning lights on the dash. Just a sudden desire to not want to go round a corner and plow straight on just as I was entering a twisty mountain canyon with precipitous drops (lee hill dr, boulder, co). Luckily I was able to hold the curve (at the limit of my arm strength) and not run off the road. My wife would not have been able to hold it. This could have been deadly. Once I realized I lost power assistance, I was able to turn around and head back home. I'm not sure this is a blessing but I'm so happy it failed right at the start of the canyon and not when there was a 500ft drop beside me. I was able to drive the van home, as I was just physically strong enough to turn the steering wheel to navigate intersections however, it was a close call to needing a tow truck. On twisty roads the van is essentially underivable. Once safely parked I noticed fluid pooling under the van and it has sprayed throughout the engine bay so this looked like a hydraulic hose or clamp failure.