NHTSA (USA)High Risk
This page covers 14 recalls and 37 owner complaints for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500.
Wheel speed sensor failures are the dominant thread running through 2015 Sprinter 3500 complaints. Owners frequently report front and rear wheel speed sensors failing at relatively low mileage, sometimes under 10,000 miles, and often in pairs, with both sides of an axle failing within a short window of each other. The knock-on effects are what generate the most concern: when a sensor goes, owners describe the ABS warning light illuminating, traction control and stability control disabling, and cruise control dropping out. Several owners also report unexpected acceleration events while cruise control is engaged, describing the vehicle surging or feeling as though it downshifted and accelerated without input. In some of those cases, brake pulsation during attempted stops is part of the reported sequence, with ABS, tire pressure, and traction warning lights appearing together on the dash.
37
Total Complaints
1
With Injuries
By System
The 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 has 14 recalls, the most serious involving airbag inflators on both the driver and passenger sides that can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin, along with two separate fuel system defects that can lead to a fire.
The fuel risks involve a missing driveshaft catch strap that can allow the driveshaft to drop and puncture the fuel tank, and a missing protective plate and foam ring near the tank that leaves it vulnerable to impact damage. On the engine side, oil can leak from the chain tensioner gasket area and drip onto hot surfaces, also raising fire risk. The power steering return line hose can detach under load, causing sudden loss of steering assist and spraying hydraulic fluid onto the road. Electronic stability control can become disabled on vehicles that have been converted into campers or recreational vehicles, reducing driving stability. Several structural and safety equipment issues round out the list: windows may separate from the vehicle in a crash due to a paint layering problem; the airbag control unit on some vehicles lacks a reinforcement plate, which can prevent secondary airbags from deploying; and Freedman GO-3S foldaway seats on certain converted vehicles may not lock upright, leaving occupants unrestrained in a crash. Other concerns include incorrectly installed door jamb wedges that make doors harder to open after a frontal impact, missing overhead crash pads on super-high-roof configurations, a fire extinguisher that may not function on certain camper conversions, and a tire pressure label that overstates the vehicle's load capacity
Looking to upgrade?
Find accessories for your 2015 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500 at Amazon.
We may earn a commission for purchases made through these links.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
At a glance
What can fail
The Electronic Stability Control system may stop working on certain 2012-2018 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter 3500 campers and recreational vehicles.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rear-wheel speed sensor with a more durable sensor at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The hydraulic hoses that return fluid from the power steering system may come loose at their connection points during normal driving, causing steering fluid to leak out.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the power steering return line connections and tighten or repair them as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The foldaway seat cushion may not stay locked in the upright position during a crash or sudden stop, potentially allowing it to move.
What the fix does
Freedman will provide and install a repair kit at no cost. Contact Freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver front air bag inflator may explode during a crash due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver front air bag module at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may break apart instead of inflating normally during a crash due to propellant breaking down over time from heat and moisture exposure.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fire extinguisher may clog and fail to spray, require excessive force to activate, or have a nozzle that detaches and causes injury.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fire extinguisher with a different brand at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driveshaft catch strap is missing, which allows the driveshaft to come loose and strike the fuel tank.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a driveshaft catch strap at no charge to secure the driveshaft.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel tank lacks a protective plate at the front and a foam ring at the filler neck, which may compromise fuel system integrity in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel tank at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The air bag control unit lacks a reinforcement plate and protective bracket. After an initial impact, the unit may stop working, preventing air bags from deploying in a secondary impact.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a reinforcement plate and protective bracket around the air bag control unit at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Certain 2015-2016 Sprinter vans with super-high roofs may lack the required crash pads needed for safety.
What the fix does
Dealers will install the required crash pads at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Multiple paint layers may cause windows to separate from the vehicle during a crash when the outer paint layer peels away from the layer underneath.
What the fix does
Dealers will remove the windows, inspect the paintwork, and repaint the vehicle as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The tire pressure label lists a maximum load capacity higher than what the vehicle can safely carry.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the incorrect tire pressure label at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Oil may leak from the chain tensioner gasket area in certain 2015 Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles built between February 28, 2014, and January 22, 2015.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the chain tensioner gasket at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The abutting wedge, which helps the door open after a severe frontal crash, may have been installed incorrectly on the door jamb.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the abutment wedge installation and correct it if needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
