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2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500

Reliability tier: verified - see /disclosure/

Engine: OM642 3.0L V6 BlueTEC (Mercedes-Benz OM642, 3.0L)

72-degree V6 turbodiesel, 188 hp / 325 lb-ft in this era, 7-speed automatic. VS30 generation (W907, built in Charleston SC since 2018): 188 hp / 325 lb-ft V6 diesel paired with the 7-speed automatic. Freightliner badging ended after MY2021.

Applicable failure modes (7)

• BlueTEC DEF/SCR: sensors, DEF quality, countdown derate (2010+)
• EGR valve and intake coking
• Fuel system: hard start / long crank and injector complaints
• Glow plug module and cold-start roughness
• Intake port shutoff (swirl) flap motor and stuck flaps
• Oil cooler stack seal leak (the signature OM642 repair)
• Turbo boost control: VNT actuator, leaks, limp episodes

Applicable parts (1)

• mercedes-sprinter-om642: nox-sensor (honest catalog gap)

Platform recipes (3)

• BlueTEC DEF/SCR derate (2010+): the countdown is a diagnosis chain, not a parts verdict - DEF quality and level sensing first, then the supply pump, tank hardware last (the big bill)
• Diagnosis-driven EGR/intake service: clean before you replace
• The signature OM642 repair: the oil-to-coolant stack sits deep in the V of the banks, so the intake and ancillaries come off for access

Reference for this truck