2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Aug 12, 2026 · Driver assistance · KS

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The Adaptive Cruise Control turns off and then won't reset while driving. When the Adaptive Cruise Control turns off and then won't reset while driving. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? This causes the vehicle to immediately loose power. When traveling at highway speeds and vehicles are getting ready to pass us, then the cruise stops, we have been nearly rear ended multiple times on our last trip. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? This has been inspected but the service center couldn’t reproduce because it happens after several hours of driving. We had this problem several times while traveling from Denver Colorado to Pittsburg Kansas. If we stopped for fuel or food, and turned the vehicle off it would be fine on restart. If we were driving when it turned off we would have to follow another vehicle at a constant distance for more than 5 minutes to get the system to reset. Sometimes it worked sometimes it didn't. This is also a safety issue because we were having to follow fairly close to a vehicle in front of us to get the system to reset. We also tried turning the system off every hour or so, use the “cancel” button while driving, but it didn’t seem to make a difference. The system continued to randomly turn itself off. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? We took the Sprinter in to a Mercedes-Benz dealer service center and they checked everything and said it was fine. Then we took it back a second time and asked if there was some sort of calibration or computer software update needed. They inspected the vehicle again and informed us everything was up to date. I do not feel that this issue was being taken seriously as it is very nerve racking when it happens and then trying to not get in an accident when traveling

Filed Aug 7, 2023 · Driver assistance · CA

The adaptive cruise control, auto emergency breaking and collision warning stopped working on the vehicle on a clear day as I was entering the freeway for a long drive. It said sensors were dirty. I stopped, shut off vehicle, cleaned all sensor locations, and restarted vehicle. Sensors worked for 5min and then stopped again and have yet to start functioning after 4 days and extensive driving. It appears that this is a common issue for other 2019+ Sprinter owners. This definitely reduces the safety of the vehicle for the driver, passengers and other vehicles. Shut-off without warning, reduces speed unexpectedly in traffic is a risk. The distractions of looking down for solutions to see what's going on and trying to reset system.

Filed Nov 10, 2022 · Brakes, Driver assistance · NY

Adaptive Cruise Control as well as Forward Collison warning fail to work properly when in use. Both unexpectedly malfunction for no apparent reason and vehicle will not cruise control will not function at all. The vehicle was taken back to the dealership where it was supposedly addressed and fixed, however, the issue has not been fixed. The vehicle presents the same issues as prior to the inspection and "repair" from the dealership. While driving with Adaptive Cruise Control/Forward Collison Warning, the system will malfunction. A light on the dash will indicate that it has been disabled, simultaneously, the vehicle will lose cruise control, foward collision warning immediately. Vehicle will not regain any form of cruise control or forward collison warning for an unspecified amount of time. Could be minutes, hours, or even days. Dash warnings also include cleaning sensors and cameras. Doing so does not correct the problem.

Filed Oct 30, 2022 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · CA

The cruise control system and related systems (distance control and automatic braking) repeatedly malfunction. Specifically the systems go off and on without warning. For example, when driving at highway speed the systems will suddenly shut off causing the vehicle to slow down (presumably without brake lights to alert the driver behind). Also presumably the automatic braking ceases to work when this happens This problem began shortly after I purchased the vehicle in May 2021 and I have brought it in for three unsuccessful repair attempts. Internet research reveals that this is apparently a common problem.

Filed Oct 10, 2022 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · OR

The adaptive cruise control system and forward collision system since the vehicle was new has frequently not worked or stops working. The cruise control system that is tied to the forward collision systems would stop working causing the vehicle to decelerate as no throttle input was present and cause the need to use the foot throttle. The vehicle is available for inspection. As this has happened while driving at freeway speeds with traffic around I consider this a hazard. This problem has been present since the vehicle was new and continues to the present time even after dealership fixes. The dealership is aware of this problem and initially tried to “ recalibrate the sensors “ with no success, and finally found that the wire connectors were not connected properly. Since this fix was performed the cruise control has continued to turn off primarily if minimal forward traffic is sensed, but proceeds to reset either later the same day or the following day. As the vehicle his under warranty and has not been involved in an accident the only people who have seen it are the dealership. The vehicle will give two warnings at the time of the system failing 1.”Active Distance Assist Inoperative “, and 2. “Active Brake Assist Functions Limited See Owners Manual”. For the dates and mileage listed below this issue has been present with the vehicle since new to current as an intermittent issue so the dates and mileage do not represent the actual events. Having looked at van blogs on this issue this is an common problem with owners of vans and other Mercedes vehicles with the radar adaptive cruise control referred to as “Distronic “

Filed Sep 27, 2022 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 10,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated that after inclement weather, the cruise control, Forward Collision Avoidance, and Automatic Emergency braking feature failed to operate as needed. The contact restarted the vehicle however, the vehicle would intermittently return to normal operation. The contact had taken the vehicle to various different dealers where the camera, unknown sensors, and other unknown parts were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.

Filed Apr 29, 2021 · Driver assistance, Electrical · UT

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. On 8 april 21 while at a mercedes-benz dealer in farmington, ut I was told the secondary alternator was out of alignment and the one and only serpentine belt had excessive wear, plus the issue was not a mercedes-benz warranty issue,, but rather a an up-fitter (winnebago) problem per mechanic trevor and service rep alex! So, on 9 apr 21 I contacted general rv again & said what the mercedes dealer told me and on the 22nd of april I provided photos of the alternator issue, so they (paul deluca lead svc rep) ordered the recall kit #162 from wb. However, here's the real kick in the face aka complaint... Why would they need to order another recall kit when they told me they stalled it in october 2020 before I could even drive it off the lot? Therefore, general rv flat out lied to me which is unbelievable and totally unacceptable especially with the severity of a serpentine belt failure at speed equals loss of steering and crash and/or death no to mention totalled vehicle! Second issue/complaint is my active brake and distance sensor behind the grill has been randomly failing especially at the worst times I.e. Long road trips! So, this renders the cruise control & smart braking inoperable which is unacceptable on a new vehicle with only a few thousand miles on it. So, I have been to the same mb dealer in farmington, ut 3nor 4 times to finally fix it, but no fix!!