What are the most common Mercedes-Benz Sprinter problems?
According to Au7o's analysis of 4,400+ owner reports, the 2008 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has 11 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: OM642 V6 Oil Cooler Seal Leak (Oil in the Engine Valley), 722.6 (NAG1) Automatic Transmission Conductor Plate Failure / Limp Mode, Turbocharger VNT Actuator Failure (Boost Faults, Limp Mode). Of these, 3 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter reliable?
The 2008 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has 11 known issues documented across 4,400+ owner reports. 3 issues are rated critical: OM642 V6 Oil Cooler Seal Leak (Oil in the Engine Valley) and 722.6 (NAG1) Automatic Transmission Conductor Plate Failure / Limp Mode and Turbocharger VNT Actuator Failure (Boost Faults, Limp Mode). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Mercedes-Benz Sprinter problems?
Repair costs for known Mercedes-Benz Sprinter issues range from $50 to $3,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, OM642 V6 Oil Cooler Seal Leak (Oil in the Engine Valley), typically costs $900-$2,000 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2007-2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter OM642 V6 Oil Cooler Seal Leak (Oil in the Engine Valley)?
On 3.0L V6 OM642 diesel Sprinters the engine oil cooler sits deep in the valley of the V, sealed to the block by O-rings. The early orange seals harden and shrink from constant heat and weep engine oil, which collects in the valley and runs down the back of the block, often mista… Repairs typically run $900-$2,000. Severity: high.
What is the 2007-2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 722.6 (NAG1) Automatic Transmission Conductor Plate Failure / Limp Mode?
Sprinters with the 5-speed 722.6 (NAG1) automatic use an internal conductor plate that carries the shift-solenoid wiring and the input/output speed sensors. The conductor plate is a known weak point: when it fails the transmission control unit gets bad speed signals, lights the w… Repairs typically run $300-$1,200. Severity: high.
What is the 2007-2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Turbocharger VNT Actuator Failure (Boost Faults, Limp Mode)?
Sprinter diesels use a variable-geometry turbo whose vane position is controlled by an electronic actuator (PWM-driven on the OM642; vacuum/wastegate-controlled on some OM651). The actuator's electronics or worm-drive wear out, so the ECU can no longer command correct boost. The… Repairs typically run $400-$1,500. Severity: high.
What is the 2007-2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Turbo Resonator Crack and Boost Leak?
The plastic turbo resonator (charge air pipe) on OM642-equipped Sprinters cracks from heat cycling and vibration, causing a significant boost leak. The engine loses power dramatically, especially under load or when climbing grades. This is one of the most common failure items on… Repairs typically run $200-$600. Severity: medium.
What is the 2007-2025 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Glow Plug Failure and Cold Start Issues?
Sprinter glow plugs fail with age, causing hard starting in cold weather, rough idle when cold, and white smoke on startup. The OM642 V6 is particularly prone to glow plug seizure in the cylinder head, making removal difficult and risking broken glow plugs that require cylinder h… Repairs typically run $300-$1,500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2007-2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Rear Wheel-Arch and Body Seam Corrosion (Pre-VS30 W906)?
Older NCV3/W906 Sprinters are well known for rusting at the rear wheel arches, lower door edges, around the rear door hinges and in the wheel-well pinch welds. Thin factory corrosion protection on these high-wear panels, combined with road salt and stone strike, lets rust take ho… Repairs typically run $150-$2,500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2007-2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter EGR Valve and EGR Cooler Carbon Clogging (Limp Mode, P0400-Series Codes)?
Sprinter diesels (OM642 V6 and OM651 4-cylinder) recirculate soot-laden exhaust through the EGR valve and cooler. Over tens of thousands of miles the valve and the cooler's small passages choke with hard carbon, causing the valve to stick, EGR flow to read out of range, rough run… Repairs typically run $550-$1,900. Severity: medium.
What is the 2007-2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Intake Manifold Swirl Flap Linkage Breakage (P2015)?
The OM642 V6 intake manifolds use plastic swirl/runner flaps driven by a small actuator through a plastic connecting linkage. Oil mist and heat make the plastic linkage and pivots brittle; they crack and break, leaving the flaps stuck and triggering P2015 (and runner-control code… Repairs typically run $50-$900. Severity: medium.
What is the 2007-2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter OM642 Harmonic Balancer / Crankshaft Pulley Rubber Failure?
The OM642 crankshaft pulley is a harmonic balancer with a bonded rubber ring between an inner hub and outer pulley. With age the rubber degrades and the outer ring separates or wobbles, causing belt-drive vibration, accessory misalignment and squeal. If left unchecked, uncontroll… Repairs typically run $250-$700. Severity: medium.
What is the 2007-2025 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Clogging from Short-Trip / Urban Use?
Sprinters used for city delivery — frequent stops, short trips and long idles — rarely reach the exhaust temperatures needed to complete a DPF regeneration. Soot accumulates until the filter is restricted, lighting the DPF warning, reducing power and eventually forcing limp mode… Repairs typically run $300-$3,000. Severity: medium.
What is the 2007-2025 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Sliding Door Roller and Track Wear?
The Sprinter sliding door rollers and track wear out from the heavy door weight and frequent commercial use. The upper and center rollers are most commonly affected, causing the door to become difficult to open or close, bind in the track, or hang crooked. In commercial fleet use… Repairs typically run $200-$800. Severity: low.
