NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
What can fail
This page covers 10 recalls and 26 owner complaints for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500.
The dominant complaint theme for the 2017 Sprinter 3500 centers on the diesel exhaust fluid system and wheel-related issues. Multiple owners report the DEF warning illuminating at highway speeds, followed by the vehicle entering limp mode and dropping to crawling speeds, sometimes as low as 5 mph, with the DEF tank flagged as the cause in at least some cases. On the wheel side, owners describe wheel covers shifting or partially detaching, raising concerns about valve stem damage and potential tire deflation. The ESC and ABS warning lights also draw repeated complaints, with owners describing sudden illumination accompanied by unusual sounds or brief brake pedal chatter, sometimes without any obvious road hazard. Vehicle speed control complaints largely overlap with the DEF-induced limp mode events rather than representing a separate system failure.
26
Total Complaints
By System
The 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 has 10 recalls, the most serious involving both the driver and passenger frontal airbag inflators, which can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, causing serious injury or death.
On the structural side, certain vehicles may be missing spot welds where the door frame connects to the A-pillar, which can reduce body strength in a crash. The hydraulic power steering return hose can detach under load, causing an abrupt loss of steering assist and spraying fluid onto the road. Electronic stability control can become disabled on units upfitted as campers or recreational vehicles, reducing the vehicle's ability to maintain control in difficult driving conditions. Vehicles equipped with the Crosswind Assist feature have a separate concern: the system's automatic braking response may not activate in strong crosswinds, leaving the driver without that correction. The spare tire holder under the vehicle may not be properly secured, allowing the tire to drop onto the road. There is also a recall covering certain upfitted custom and camper vans where a fire extinguisher may not function correctly. A label recall affects vehicles with folding seats, where an incorrect weight label could lead to the finished vehicle being overloaded once upfitted.
At a glance
What can fail
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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 →
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 front side wall may be missing spot welds that connect the door portal to the hinge reinforcements in the A-pillar area, potentially reducing vehicle structural strength in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect your vehicle and add any missing spot welds at no cost.
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
Crosswind Assist software is incorrectly programmed and does not work. In strong, gusty crosswinds, the automatic stability braking system may not activate, increasing crash risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the software in the stability control unit to fix the Crosswind Assist programming.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The vehicle's stability control system may fail to automatically apply brakes during strong crosswinds when Crosswind Assist is active.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the stability control system's software at no cost to restore proper brake response during crosswinds.
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 spare tire holder mounted underneath the vehicle may not be properly secured to the frame.
What the fix does
Dealers will lift the spare tire holder and tighten all securing screws as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
