NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The spring U-bolts that hold the rear axle in place may be weakened from improper heat-treatment during manufacturing. This weakness can allow the rear axle to shift out of its proper position.
This page covers 6 recalls and 15 owner complaints for the 2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500.
Complaints on the 2023 Sprinter 3500 are spread across a handful of systems, with forward collision avoidance drawing the most reports. Owners describe the automatic braking system activating unexpectedly, triggering hard, abrupt stops when no obstacle is present, including during lane changes and merges. Powertrain behavior also comes up, with owners reporting sudden loss of acceleration and, in at least one case, a stall with no warning light followed by a no-restart condition. A couple of electrical complaints involve the airbag system, where owners report a warning indicating the system is non-functional, with dealership attempts to resolve the issue through component replacement not fully resolving the problem.
15
Total Complaints
By System
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 has 6 recalls, the most serious being three separate issues that can each cause a sudden loss of vehicle control: a rear axle that can shift out of position, a front suspension strut bolt that can come loose and eliminate steering, and a wiring harness that can chafe against the driveshaft and cut power to the engine, steering, and brakes simultaneously.
Both wiring recalls also carry a fire risk. The chafing harness can short-circuit and ignite, and separately, a 12-volt ground connection that is not properly secured can overheat and cause a fire, while also cutting drive power without warning. On the structural side, windows may not be properly bonded to the body and can detach in a crash, and cargo secured to interior lashing rails may pull free if those rails separate from the wall. There is also a recall covering the partition wall between the cab and cargo area, which may be missing bolts and can break loose in a collision, becoming a hazard to anyone in the vehicle.
At a glance
What can fail
The spring U-bolts that hold the rear axle in place may be weakened from improper heat-treatment during manufacturing. This weakness can allow the rear axle to shift out of its proper position.
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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 the fix does
Dealers will replace the spring U-bolts with properly treated parts at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A 12-volt ground connection may not be properly secured, causing it to overheat and result in loss of drive power.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and repair the 12-volt ground connection as needed at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The main wiring harness may rub against the drive shaft, causing it to short circuit and potentially result in loss of drive power, power steering, and brake system control.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect how the main wiring harness is routed and reposition it as needed to prevent contact with the drive shaft.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The partition wall separating the cab from the cargo area may be missing bolts, which could cause it to detach during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the partition wall and secure any loose bolts at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front left suspension strut bolt may not be properly secured, which can cause loss of steering control.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the front left suspension strut bolt connection and repair the body contact surface as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The topcoat paint formula may not bond windows and interior lashing rails securely to the vehicle body.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect paint adhesion and repair as needed at no cost. Vehicle repurchase may be offered depending on damage extent.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.