NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
This page covers 17 recalls and 61 owner complaints for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500.
Complaints about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 cluster most heavily around the airbag system and vehicle speed control. On the airbag side, owners report warning lights illuminating unexpectedly, often alongside stability control alerts and unusual suspension or drivetrain sounds. Speed control complaints center on a recurring pattern of severe, abrupt power loss on inclines, owners describe the vehicle dropping from highway speeds to near-crawl without intentional input, creating a hazard for following traffic. Wheel-related complaints are the third most-reported area, with owners noting instability and abnormal sounds tied to that system. A smaller number of reports mention the hood latch failing while driving, with the hood lifting and contacting the windshield at speed. ABS warning lights illuminating during normal driving, sometimes paired with clunking from the chassis, appear across several reports as a secondary electrical or braking concern.
61
Total Complaints
3
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
3
With Injuries
By System
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 has 17 recalls, the most serious being airbag inflators on both the driver and passenger sides that can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin, along with two separate driveshaft defects that can puncture the fuel tank and cause a fire.
On the structural and safety equipment side, windows may separate from the body in a crash due to a paint layering issue, and some vehicles configured with super-high roofs may be missing required crash pads that protect an unbelted front passenger. The airbag control unit on certain vehicles lacks a reinforcement plate and protective bracket, which can prevent side airbags from deploying in a crash. Two occupant restraint recalls cover seat hardware: a seat adjuster on certain vehicles can allow the seat to slide in a crash, and rear bench seat belt anchor bolts may not be tight enough to hold the belt under crash loads.
On the mechanical side, power steering return line hoses can detach and leak fluid, causing sudden loss of steering assist. The electronic stability control unit can disable itself on vehicles converted into campers or recreational vehicles, reducing driving stability. Some camper conversions are also missing a functioning fire extinguisher. Several recalls address incorrect B-pillar labels showing wrong load capacity, vehicle weight, or tire pressure, which can lead to overloading or tire failure.
At a glance
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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 →
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 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 unloaded vehicle weight label on certain Sprinter vans with folding seats may show an incorrect weight, which could lead to overloading.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the weight label and inspect your vehicle to ensure it is not overloaded.
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 weight capacity label on the B-pillar may show a higher maximum load than the vehicle can safely carry.
What the fix does
Dealers will check and replace the label if needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driveshaft lacks a catch strap, which allows it to move freely and potentially strike the fuel tank.
What the fix does
Dealers will install the missing driveshaft catch strap at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The tire pressure label on the B-pillar may show incorrect front tire pressure information. Using wrong tire pressure can cause tire failure and loss of vehicle control.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the tire pressure label and replace it if necessary.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The tire pressure label on the B-pillar lists a pressure that is too low for the reinforced front axles on these vehicles.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the tire label with the correct pressure information at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bracket that supports the center bearing on the driveshaft may not be properly welded, which could cause it to fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will install three additional rivets to secure the bracket 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
The left side seat adjusters may allow seats to shift during a crash instead of staying firmly in place.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the left slide track at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts that attach the lower seat belt connection to the rear bench seat may not be properly tightened, which could cause the seat belt attachment to loosen.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the connecting bolts and tighten 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
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.
