Community Forums

jchantry · 04-19-2025, 03:35 PM

2022 Sprinter with 2023 Thor Delano body

Just back from a 600 mile trip. 4 times the cruise control dropped out. Display showed " Active Distance Assist Inoperative" and Active Brake Assist Functions Limited". After about 5 to 10 minutes, the cruise control came back and I was able to reset the cruise control. It would work fine for several hours, then drop out again. I read the owner's manual but no help there.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

oldenavy · 04-19-2025, 03:40 PM

Have you checked the radar sensor(s) for your adaptive cruise control? On our Freightliner, it gets very unhappy if there are too many bugs smashed onto the front radar sensor. If that's not it, maybe other sprinter owners can chime in...

bigb56 · 04-19-2025, 03:55 PM

This is a well documented issue with the adaptive cruise control when driving on roads with nobody in front of you for long stretches, the CC just shuts down. As far as I know MB never figured out a solution and they claim it's operating as designed. It's been discussed on the Sprinter-Source forum for several years now, and on the Winnie forum. https://sprinter-source.com/forums/i...hreads/100524/

https://www.winnieowners.com/threads...n-flaw.723530/

DarkSideJeep · 04-19-2025, 04:09 PM

By any chance is it shutting down while going uphill?

jchantry · 04-19-2025, 06:07 PM

Thanks All !!

Excellent post on the Winnebago forum. This is exactly what it was doing. The trip mostly involved driving in western Kansas (flat and straight) with very little traffic. So, I will turnoff cruise control every 30 - 60 minutes. Wish Mercedes would revise the software to prevent this!

Thanks!!

DarkSideJeep · 04-19-2025, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jchantry

Thanks All !!

Excellent post on the Winnebago forum. This is exactly what it was doing. The trip mostly involved driving in western Kansas (flat and straight) with very little traffic. So, I will turnoff cruise control every 30 - 60 minutes. Wish Mercedes would revise the software to prevent this!

Thanks!!

I know I don't have a Sprinter based vehicle but I do have a thought or 2 about this issue. First has this been reported to NHTSA? Seems to me this is something that would cause NHTSA to force MB to fix. Second dose the Sprinter chassis have a Cruise control only setting? If it does all that you need to do is enable cruise with ACC disabled when driving with no traffic around.

bigb56 · 04-19-2025, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkSideJeep

I know I don't have a Sprinter based vehicle but I do have a thought or 2 about this issue. First has this been reported to NHTSA? Seems to me this is something that would cause NHTSA to force MB to fix. Second dose the Sprinter chassis have a Cruise control only setting? If it does all that you need to do is enable cruise with ACC disabled when driving with no traffic around.

On the Sprinters with adaptive cruise control there is no other choice, it's either adaptive CC or manually operating the pedal.

I'm not sure that the NHTSA would consider this a safety issue though. The CC is a convenience item that is not required and the brake assist is an added safety item that is also not required.

DarkSideJeep · 04-19-2025, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigb56

On the Sprinters with adaptive cruise control there is no other choice, it's either adaptive CC or manually operating the pedal.

I'm not sure that the NHTSA would consider this a safety issue though. The CC is a convenience item that is not required and the brake assist is an added safety item that is also not required.

Having a vehicle suddenly slow down for no apparent reason is an invitation for a rear end collision. When in doubt it should be reported and let NHTSA make a determination. If it is not reported it will not change that s a guarantee.

Bunnz · 04-20-2025, 12:07 PM

following.

Supersail · 04-21-2025, 05:55 AM

There is now a software update/adjustment procedure for this issue, we just had it done under warranty recently on a 22 Sprinter. Have not had a chance to test it in an area with little traffic yet though.

jchantry · 04-21-2025, 08:32 AM

Thanks Supersail for that info!
I will check with my local dealer to get the upgrade.

jchantry · 04-21-2025, 08:48 AM

Just talked with my local dealer. Said to bring it in and they will do diagnostics on it then do adjustments and /or software upgrade. They acknowledged it is a common problem. Scheduled for service on 30 April so I'll post update after that.

Thanks all!!

Bunnz · 04-21-2025, 10:43 PM

please post after you have successfully (or not) used your Sprinter with this update..

anitar · 04-24-2025, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigb56

I'm not sure that the NHTSA would consider this a safety issue though.

In June of 2023 I submitted a report to the NHTSA after a safety issue regarding a semi truck making a passing run on me and the cruse shuts down, it looked like the truck almost lost control attempting not to hit me from behind. I think the truck driver thought I was screwing with him.

In June of 2024 we drove RT from Golden Co to Homer Alaska (8K miles), after MANY cruise failures we probably drove 4-5 hundred miles without a cruise. We did confirm that if you follow another vehicle at about 1/8 mile or closer for 15 minutes the system starts working again.

Search for "Sprinter Distronic shuts down" to research...
Mercedes Benz refused to address the issue because they could not-create the symptom, Last fall they said they re-calibrated the forward facing radar sensor but I think only a firmware upgrade will fix it. I guess in Germany you would never drive for a long period without approaching another vehicle.