2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (12) · Vehicle Speed Control (10) · Wheels (7)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
44 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (16)
Electronic Stability Control (Esc):control Module 2021-02-03 · campaign 21V042000 · 48,667 vehicles
Defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 3500 and Freightliner Sprinter 3500 vehicles upfitted into campers or recreational vehicles. The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) unit may become disabled on these vehicles.
Risk: If ESC becomes disabled, vehicle driving stability may be impacted under certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear-wheel speed sensor with a more robust sensor, free of charge. DVUSA issued owners an interim notification on March 10, 2021. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is NC3DREZAHA.
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections 2020-10-28 · campaign 20V663000 · 47,667 vehicles
Defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Mercedes Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The hydraulic power steering return line hoses may detach at their connection points under certain operating conditions, causing hydraulic fluid to leak.
Risk: The sudden loss of power steering assist and hydraulic steering fluid leaking onto the roadway may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will check the return line connections of the power steering system, correcting it as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2020. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this campaign is NV3LETULPE.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2019-01-08 · campaign 19V003000 · 71,301 vehicles
Defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the driver frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolu
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall is began March 15, 2019. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2019-01-08 · campaign 19V004000 · 88,388 vehicles
Defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 15, 2019. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.
Equipment:other:labels 2018-02-15 · campaign 18V113000 · 17 vehicles
Defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and Sprinter 3500 vehicles, equipped with folding seats (sales code S20). The unloaded vehicle weight (UVW) label on these incomplete vehicles may be incorrect.
Risk: The incorrect UVW label can result in final stage manufacturers exceeding the maximum vehicle weight once the vehicle is completed. A vehicle that exceeds its maximum weight has an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the UVW label and inspect the vehicle to make sure that it is not overloaded, free of charge. The recall began on April 3, 2018. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.
Equipment 2017-12-08 · campaign 17V786000 · 550 vehicles
Defect: Midwest Automotive Designs, LLC (Midwest) is recalling certain Custom Vans and Camper Van recreational vehicles built on 2014-2017 Mercedes Benz Sprinter chassis and 2016-2017 RAM Promaster chassis. These vehicles are equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' fire extinguishers that may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detac
Risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Midwest will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fire extinguisher with a different brand, free of charge. The recall began on December 11, 2017. Owners may contact Kidde customer service for their replacement extinguisher at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information.
Equipment:other:labels 2017-10-16 · campaign 17V650000 · 2 vehicles
Defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The label on the B-pillar may state a higher maximum vehicle load capacity than the vehicle is designed for. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."
Risk: If the load capacity information is incorrect on the label, the vehicle may be overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will check the label and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 15, 2017. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.
Power Train:driveline:driveshaft 2017-09-22 · campaign 17V592000 · 109 vehicles
Defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500/3500 vehicles. The affected vehicles were manufactured without a driveshaft catch strap, allowing a loose driveshaft to strike the fuel tank.
Risk: A loose driveshaft may strike and puncture the gas tank, resulting in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will install the missing catch strap for the driveshaft, free of charge. Daimler issued an interim notification to owners on November 17, 2017. The recall began on December 21, 2017. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.
Equipment:other:labels 2017-06-05 · campaign 17V364000 · 1,257 vehicles
Defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2016 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with reinforced front axles. The affected vehicles have tire labels on the B-pillar that list a tire pressure that is too low.
Risk: Operating the vehicle with low front tire pressures may result in tire damage, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: DVUSA will notify owners, Freightliner Sprinter and Mercedes-Benz dealers will check and replace the tire label, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 5, 2017. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.
Power Train:driveline:driveshaft 2017-03-07 · campaign 17V149000 · 892 vehicles
Defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles and Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The bracket for the center support bearing of the drive shaft may not have been properly welded.
Risk: If the event of a crash, the bracket may detach and the drive shaft may damage the fuel system, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: DVUSA will notify owners and dealers will install three additional rivets to secure the bracket, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on May 5, 2017. The recall began on July 7, 2017. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.
Air Bags 2017-02-10 · campaign 17V093000 · 15,338 vehicles
Defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 and Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vans. These vehicles were manufactured without a reinforcement plate and protective bracket on the air bag control unit. As a result, the air bag control unit may not remain functional after the initial impact, possibly preventing additional air bags from deploying in response to a secondary impact.
Risk: If additional air bags do not deploy as intended, the occupants are at an increased risk of injury.
Fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will install a reinforcement plate and protective bracket around the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2017. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.
Seat Belts:front:anchorage 2016-11-28 · campaign 16V853000 · 28 vehicles
Defect: Midwest Automotive Designs, LLC (Midwest) is recalling certain model year 2016 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2016, to September 30, 2016, equipped with certain left side seat adjusters, model number 486077 manufactured by Atwood. The affected seat adjusters may allow the seats to move in the event of a crash. As such, these adjusters fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchora
Risk: If the seat moves in the event of a crash, the seat occupant would be at an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Midwest will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left slide track, free of charge. The recall began on December 22, 2016. Owners may contact Midwest customer service at 1-574-522-4878.
Seat Belts:rear/Other 2016-09-15 · campaign 16V670000 · 271 vehicles
Defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain model year 2016 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured March 1, 2016, to May 31, 2016. The bolts connecting the lower seat belt connection to the rear bench seat may not have been properly tightened.
Risk: If the bolts were not properly tightened, the seat belt may fail to secure the seat occupant in the event of a crash.
Fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and Sprinter dealers will inspect the connecting bolts, tightening them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on November 18, 2016. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.
Structure:body:roof And Pillars 2016-05-24 · campaign 16V351000 · 3 vehicles
Defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured May 31, 2015, to April 30, 2016, and 2015-2016 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured May 1, 2015, to April 30, 2016. The affected vehicles are configured to have super-high roofs, but may not be equipped with the required crash pads.
Risk: If the required crash pads are missing, it can increase the risk of injury to a front passenger seat occupant if they are unbelted.
Fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will install the required crash-pads, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2016. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.
Structure:body 2016-04-29 · campaign 16V261000 · 55 vehicles
Defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Mercedes Benz and Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured April 1, 2015, to October 31, 2015. The affected vehicles may have had multiple layers of paint applied, and as a result, in a crash, the windows may separate from the vehicle when the outer layer of paint peels from the layer below.
Risk: If the windows separate from the vehicle in a crash, the occupants are at a greater risk of injury.
Fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will remove the windows and inspect the paintwork, repainting the vehicles as necessary, free of charge. This recall began August 4, 2016. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-770-705-2070.
Equipment:other:labels 2016-02-18 · campaign 16V093000 · 2,278 vehicles
Defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vans manufactured April 29, 2015, to December 15, 2015. The affected vehicles have a tire pressure label that incorrectly states a higher maximum load capacity than the vehicle is designed for.
Risk: The vehicle may be overloaded if loaded to the incorrect weight shown on the label, possibly resulting in axle or tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner dealers will replace the incorrect tire pressure label, free of charge. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.
Service bulletins (129)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-19 · LI82_85_N_080972_1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
unavailability of mb apps complaint a popup is seen on the hu with the message "data connection temporarily not available". cause mb apps is officially sundowned for all vehicles with ntg5 head unit variant. remedy no support available for ntg5 head unit variants for mb app related topics.
Power Train 2026-08-26 · LI28_00-N-079097_1_en · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint while driving through muddy / sandy/ off road terrain "4matic currently unavailable" message on the dash cause this vehicle is not equipped with a fixed force distribution awd, rather force is only applied to the front axle according to esp calculations. as per gf28.00‑d‑ 9900a: "vehicles
Unknown Or Other 2026-07-01 · LI54_30-N-080701 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
assyst plus service reminder appears earlier than expected due to vehicle operating conditions complaint the assyst plus service reminder appears earlier than expected. the customer or dealer may report that the vehicle did not reach the starting maintenance interval shown in vehicle documentation
Power Train 2026-06-15 · LI14.20-N-073867 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint complaint a: the engine is jolting/bucking between 1700 and 1900 rpm. complaint b: one or more mechanical related fault codes for egr valve stored in cdi control unit, with possible check engine light. review list of mechanical fault codes in table below. note: if one or more electrical r
Fuel/Propulsion System 2026-06-03 · LI49.10-N-080528 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
om642 dpf filter cracked or broken complaint vehicle will not start or exhibits noisy exhaust. check engine lamp (cel) is on. multiple control unit communication and system faults may be present, including but not limited to: 134800, 134900, 11b300, 11ec00, 15e100, 155700, 162500. additional event
Engine 2026-04-18 · LI4910-N-060969 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint rattling noise from underneath the vehicle. cause one or more of the following conditions may be present: 1. the exhaust bracket from the dpf to the transmission is cracked or broken. • see pic. 1 for an example of a broken bracket. 2. transmission bell housing cracked or broken at the exh
Showing the 6 most recent of 129 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-03 · Engine“1. what component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request?** the engine/internal engine components and fuel injection system failed. was stated in video that fuel injector looked fine. cylinder #2, including a burnt valve and damage to the top of the piston. the mercedes-benz dealership also stated that i…”
2025-10-07 · Unknown Or Other · 🔥 fire“unshielded rear-center generator exhaust pipe positioned with approx 12 in clearance above the ground, ignited the exterior of vehicle when generator operated, causing total loss. my safety as well as my pets was put at great risk due to this design and lack of shielding. the problem has not been reproduced of confirmed by dealer or independent …”
2024-11-07 · Steering“power steering return hose slipped off 1/2” and fluid leak. has a recall, but not applicable to this vin. although it appears to be effecting it? secured line to best abilities. …”
2024-05-23 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:hood:latch · 200,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 mercedes-benz sprinter 3500. the contact stated while driving approximately 65-70 mph, the hood unintendedly opened, striking the windshield. the contact pulled to the side of the road and became aware that the latch screws had detached; however, the latch was still welded to the vehicle. the contact was able to clamp the ho…”
2022-01-03 · Service Brakes, Air:antilock:abs Warning Light · 2,000 mi · 💥 crash“the contact owns a 2016 mercedes-benz sprinter 3500. the contact stated that while driving at 30 mph, the abs warning light and the electronic stability control warning lights illuminated. the contact also stated that the motorhome was making abnormal clunking sounds. the contact was able to continue to drive at less than 30 mph. the manufacturer …”
2021-11-19 · Vehicle Speed Control“trucks cut speed limit 65 to 10 normal highway i do understood %35 degrees slow down but its only %2 degrees uprise there is no power at engine rpm is shows less then 1 rpm and even if press the gas pedal all the way the truck does not accelerate like truck is lock right there very dangers any one drive back of me they are not accept …”
2021-10-18 · Electrical System · 8,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 mercedes-benz sprinter 3500. the contact stated that while driving, several unknown warning lights illuminated. the contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 21v042000 (electronic stability control) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. the…”
2021-09-24 · Electrical System“the nhtsa law requires that the recall be done on a timely manner . mercedes benz is not doing this . the wheel sensor recall is being not being done in a timely manner by mercedes benz. they are typically making appointments 1 month to 3 months out to do a recall that takes 40 minutes to accomplish. .they are purposely endangering sprinter r…”
2021-07-16 · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · 23,580 mi“the contact owns a 2016 mercedes-benz sprinter 3500. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 21v042000 (electronic stability control) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. the contact stated that while driving over a railroad track at a slow speed, the vehicle independently accelerated with the abs, check en…”
2021-03-19 · Electronic Stability Control (Esc)“tl* the contact owns a 2016 mercedes-benz sprinter 3500. the contact discovered that the vehicle was included in nhtsa campaign number: 21v042000 (electronic stability control) however, the parts to do the recall repair was unavailable. mercedes-benz of wilsonville (25035 sw parkway ave, wilsonville, or 97070, 503-454-5000) was contacted and it was…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.