2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500

Routine

Owners filed 37 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the vehicle speed control. It has been recalled 15 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
18,500 milesMedian miles at failure

30 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 010,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes10
001
Electronic Stability Control (esc)6
000
Vehicle Speed Control4
000
Air Bags3
000
Wheels2
000
Structure › Body2
000
Exterior Lighting2
000
Electrical System2
000
Visibility/Wiper1
000
Unknown or Other1
000

15 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Electronic Stability Control (esc) › Control Module21V042000
Filed Feb 3, 202148,667 vehiclesDaimler Vans Usa, Llc

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.

Remedy. 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 Connections20V663000
Filed Oct 28, 202047,667 vehiclesDaimler Vans Usa, Llc

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.

Remedy. 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.

Seats19V238000
Filed Mar 26, 201912 vehiclesVantage Mobility International, Llc

Defect. Vantage Mobility International, LLC (Vantage) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit Van, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2007 Ford F-250-based shuttle vehicles equipped with Freedman GO-3S foldaway seats. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.

Risk. In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

Remedy. Vantage has notified owners, instructing them to contact Freedman for a repair kit, free of charge. The recall began March 25, 2019. Owners may contact Freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module19V004000
Filed Jan 8, 201988,388 vehiclesDaimler Vans Usa, Llc

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 absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. 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.

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module19V003000
Filed Jan 8, 201971,301 vehiclesDaimler Vans Usa, Llc

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 absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. 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.

Equipment17V786000
Filed Dec 8, 2017550 vehiclesMidwest Automotive Designs, Llc

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 detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

Risk. In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy. 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.

Air Bags17V093000
Filed Feb 10, 201715,338 vehiclesDaimler Vans Usa, Llc

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.

Remedy. 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.

Fuel System, Diesel17V092000
Filed Feb 10, 20172 vehiclesDaimler Vans Usa, Llc

Defect. Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles were manufactured without a protective plate on the front of the gas tank and a foam ring at the filler neck. As such, these vehicles may not comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."

Risk. Without the protective plate and the foam ring installed, impacts may damage the tank resulting in a fuel leak that can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy. DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began on June 6, 2017. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft17V094000
Filed Feb 10, 20172 vehiclesDaimler Vans Usa, Llc

Defect. Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The affected vehicles were manufactured without a driveshaft catch strap, allowing a loose driveshaft to strike the fuel tank. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."

Risk. A loose driveshaft may strike and puncture the gas tank, resulting in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy. DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will install a driveshaft catch strap, free of charge. The recall began on April 27, 2017. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

Structure › Body › Roof and Pillars16V351000
Filed May 24, 20163 vehiclesDaimler Vans Usa, Llc

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.

Remedy. 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.

Showing 10 of 15 campaigns, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jul 29, 202152,000 milesWA

The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 mph, the transmission inadvertently downshifted into third gear and the vehicle stalled with an unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rear wheel speed sensors were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, and the failure was remedied. The contact later received notification of NHTSA campaign number 21V042000 (Electronic Stability Control) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not contacted. Vin tool confirms parts not available. The failure mileage was 52,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 22, 202118,500 milesFL

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE THE REAR SPEED SENSORS ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD BOTH FRONT SPEED SENSORS FAIL AND I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO AS WELL AS I BELIEVE THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM WAS EFFECTED BY MY FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILURES. THE FIRST SENSOR FAILED 30 DAYS AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 19,000 MILES. THE SECOND SENSOR FAILED ABOUT 3 MONTHS LATER.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 29, 202113,000 milesPA

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE BY ITSELF. THE BRAKES WILL PULSATE WHEN YOU TRY TO STOP AT THE ACCELERATED LEVEL YOU MUST PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL TO STOP. THEN 3 LIGHTS APPEAR ON DASH, ABS,TIRE AND TRACTION. WHEN THE LIGHTS APPEAR THE VEHICLE RUNS FINE BUT CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT WORK. WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF FOR THE DAY THE NEXT DAY THE LIGHTS ARE GONE FROM DASH AND THE VEHICLES RUNS PROPER FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THIS ISSUE IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT.

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 12, 20216,700 milesGA

WE WERE TRAVELING ON FLAT, OPEN INTERSTATE ROADWAY IN RAINY WEATHER AT NIGHT WITH CRUISE CONTROL SET WHEN THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED QUICKLY. I NOTICED THE VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT DOWNSHIFTED AND FELT LIKE IT WAS ACCELERATING HARD. I LOOKED AT SPEEDOMETER AND SPEED HAD INCREASED BY MORE THAN 5 MPH OVER WHAT CRUISE WAS SET IN A MATTER OF 4 SECONDS OR SO. I THEN APPLIED PRESSURE TO BRAKE PEDAL AT WHICH POINT THE VEHICLE FELT LIKE BRAKE SYSTEM PULSED 4 TIMES, AND CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT APPEAR TO DISENGAGE. I THEN HIT BRAKES AGAIN, AND PUSHED THE CRUISE CONTROL LEVEL TOWARD DASH AND CRUISE DISENGAGED THIS TIME. DURING OR IMMEDIATELY AFTER THIS EVENT, WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON IN DASH FOR ABS, ESP, VISIT WORKSHOP, AND OTHER WARNING LIGHTS THAT SAFETY FEATURES WERE DISABLED SUCH AS FORWARD COLLISION, BLIND SPOT INDICATORS IN MIRROR, ETC. THESE WARNING LIGHTS HAVE OCCASIONALLY WENT OFF FOR SHORT PERIODS OF TIME, BUT HAVE REMAINED ON FOR MOST OF TIME. SOMETIMES THEY WILL BE OFF WHEN STARTED, BUT COME ON AFTER TOUCHING BRAKE PEDAL. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ON PRIOR TO THIS EVENT.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jan 13, 20216,000 milesWA

BOTH REAR WHEEL SENSORS WENT OUT WITHIN 2 MONTHS OF EACH OTHER. ONE 6,000 MILES, THE OTHER 8,000 MILES. BOTH HIGHWAY DRIVING NO ROUGH ROAD

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Nov 24, 202022,800 milesWI

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 65. THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY STARTED ACCELERATING. FORTUNATELY I HAD LEFT MYSELF A GOOD DISTANCE FROM THE SEMI IN FRONT OF ME OR I WOULD HAVE RAMMED INTO THE BACK OF IT. THIS WAS QUITE UNNERVING AND AFTER BRAKING I RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING ERROR CODES: ABS, ESP, TRACTION CONTROL AND CRUISE CONTROL.

Service Brakes1 injured
Filed Nov 17, 202010,000 milesNC

THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD 4 SEPARATE WHEEL SPED SENSOR FAILURES. WHEN EACH INCIDENT OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN AND AT THE SAME TIME THE ABS WILL NOT ALLOW FULL BRAKING PRESSURE WHILE UNDERWAY. YOU WILL HEAR THE ABS SOUND LIKE IT'S SLIDING ON A SLIPPERY SURFACE IN ANY CONDITION. AS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES AND BRAKING PRESSURE IS GREATLY REDUCED, IT IS SOMETIMES NECESSARY TO QUICKLY SHOVE THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL TO KEEP FROM HITTING ANYTHING AHEAD. WHEN THESE FAILURES OCCUR IT CAN BE AT ANY SPEED OR ON ANY SURFACE. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND NOW HAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000 MILES. OCCASIONALLY, PRIOR TO THE DASH LIGHTS INDICATING A WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WILL ALSO CUT ALL POWER. THIS TYPICALLY HAS HAPPENED ON HARD ACCELERATION ONTO A HIGHWAY, BEING EQUALLY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE IS JUST GOING OUT OF WARRANTY AND I HAVE TRIED TO WORK OUT A SOLUTION WITH MERCEDES WHO HAVE NOW STATED I HAVE NO CLAIM. A FINAL FACTOR IS THAT AT ABOUT 10,000 MILES THIS VEHICLE HAD A MASSIVE SHORT THAT LITERALLY MELTED THE BATTERY DOWN. I HAVE SUGGESTED TO MERCEDES THAT THAT INCIDENT, UNDER WARRANTY, MAY HAVE DONE SEROUS HARM TO THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM/COMPUTERS.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 28, 2020400 milesFL

SEE UPLOADED DOCUMENT

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 25, 202012,000 milesLA

I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HWY AND THE ABS AND ESP WARNING MALFUNCTION OCCURED WITH A VISIT WORKSHOP MESSAGE. THE ENGINE RPM REVED UP AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED TO 40 MPH. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE. CONSULTATION WITH A REPAIR FACILITY DETERMINED THE CAUSE TO BE THE WHEEL SPEED SENSORS ON THE REAR WHEELS. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THIS SAME THING PREVIOUSLY OCCURED WITH THE PREVIOUS OWNER WITH 4000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE THE SPEED SENSORS WERE REPLACED AT FACTORY AUTH DEALER AT THAT TIME. THIS INCIDENT I AM DESCRIBING OCCURED AT 12000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I WAS 700 MILES FROM HOME AND THE NEAREST FACTORY REPAIR FACILITY'S ONLY EMERGENCY OPENING WAS 3 DAYS IN THE FUTURE. THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY THAT DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM WAS NOT ABLE TO PERFORM THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. I DROVE HOME IN LIMP MODE. 4 SPEED SENSORS WERE PURCHASED AT A MERCEDES DEALER FOR A COST OF $900.00 AND REPLACED BY MYSELF. PRIOR TO REPLACING THE SENSORS THE SECOND TIME THE ABS AND ESP WARNING OCCURED BRIEFLY AND CLEARED ON THEIR OWN. MUCH RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THIS IS A VERY COMMON FAILURE OF THESE VEHICLES.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 14, 202039,000 milesFL

IN OCTOBER OF 2018 AT 28,860 ODOMETER MILES, THE PASSENGER REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILED WHILE DRIVING FROM ATLANTA, GA TO WEST PALM BEACH, FL. CAUSING THE EPS, ABS, ANTI_COLLISION AND CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM TO STOP FUNCTIONING WITH WARNING MESSAGES DISPLAYED ON THE DASH. I EXPERIENCED ERRATIC SPEEDS WHILE MANUALLY DRIVING HOME. ON OCTOBER 3, 2020, AT 39,214 ODOMETER MILES, THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN, ONLY THIS TIME IT WAS THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL SPEED SENSOR THAT FAILED WITH ALL THE SAME WARNING LIGHTS AND DISABLED EPS, ABS, ANTI-COLLISION AND CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEMS BEING SHUT DOWN. IN BOTH CASES THE FAILED SENSORS WERE REPLACED UNDER THE MERCEDES-BENZ EMISSION WARRANTY. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THESE FAILURES ARE COMMON WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE AND I WILL CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE FAILURES OF THESE SENSORS AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES. I HAVE REPLACED TWO OF THEM SO FAR WITH LESS THAN 40,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND THERE ARE STILL TWO MORE ORIGINAL SENSORS YET TO FAIL.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Oct 11, 202047,500 milesTN

THIS IS A WINNEBAGO VIEW 24G ON SPRINTER 3500 CHASSIS. WHILE HIGHWAY DRIVING, SUDDEN ABS AND ESP WARNING LIGHT WITH MESSAGE TO GO TO WORKSHOP. CRUISE CONTROL STOPS WORKING. LOSS OF POWER AND SHIFTING ABILITY IS INTERMITTENT. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE (WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL AND WITH WARNING LIGHTS ON) FOR 100+ MILES TO SHOP. WHEN LOSS OF POWER OCCURED, I WOULD PULL OFF THE ROAD AND TURN OFF ENGINE, AND THIS WOULD TYPICALLY RESOLVE THE PROBLEM FOR AWHILE SPRINTER AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER REPLACED BOTH REAR WHEEL RPM SENSORS 7/3/20 ($581.09). SAME CONDITION RE-APPEARED DURING SIMILAR DRIVING CONDITION. SAME SPRINTER DEALER REPLACED RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM ON 8/18/20 ($507.48).

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 29, 202031,000 milesFL

VEHICLE HAS A HIGH FAILURE RATE FOR TIRE ROTATION SPEED SENSORS. THIS CONDITION IMMEDIATELY DISABLES THE ANTILOCK BRAKES, STABILITY CONTROL, TRACTION CONTROL AND CRUISE CONTROL. VEHICLE MILEAGE WAS 31000 MILES AT LOSS OF THIRD SENSOR. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AT THE TIME OF ALL FAILURES.

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 13, 202031,842 milesLA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 THOR SIESTA INSTALLED ON A 2015 MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER 3500 CHASSIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON APPROACHING A STOP, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD ABNORMAL GRATING NOISE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE RECEIVER HITCH THAT WAS ATTACHED TO A BAR HAD FRACTURED FROM THE CHASSIS. THE TOW BAR WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE RECEIVER HITCH HOWEVER, DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE TOW BAR WAS DRAGGING ON THE ROAD. THE SAFETY CABLE FROM THE TOW BAR WAS ALSO NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,842.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jul 31, 202027,907 milesCA

WHILE GOING UPHILL AT ABOUT 50 MPH ON A HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE DID A HARD DOWNSHIFT AND THREE ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON,ESP,ABS&ASR . I STOPPED AND CHECK TIRES AND AIR PRESSURE ALL OK. AT TIMES THE ENGINE WOULD BUCK, THEN SPEED UP. TURNED OFF ENGINE THEN STARTED IT AGAIN. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ABOUT 50 MILES TO MERCEDES DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED AS THE REAR AXEL SPEED SENSORS FAILURE. MEDFORD MERCEDES-BENZ REPLACED BOTH REAR REAL AXEL SPEED SENSORS (VEHICLE MILEAGE 27907) COST $909.00. VEHICLE WARRANTY ON SPEED SENSOR IS 5 YR OR 100,000 MILES.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 23, 202024,500 milesAL

I WAS DRIVING AT 65 MILES AN HOUR ON INTERSTATE AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND THEN ACCELERATED AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ON AT THE TIME. I TRIED TO BRAKE BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRY TO ACCELERATE AS I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PETAL. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THIS WAS TO PHYSICALLY PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL. AFTER SITTING FOR A PERIOD OF TIME MULTIPLE ALARMS WERE DISPLAYED. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AGAIN ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS IN ALARM MODE AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM HAD DISABLED ITSELF. I AM AN EXPERIENCE DRIVER. I AM AFRAID THAT ANOTHER PERSON MAY HAVE PANICKED AND THE RESULT MAY HAVE BEEN MUCH DIFFERENT. THE ATTACHED IMAGES SHOWS THE ALARMS THAT WERE PRESENT AFTER THE INCIDENT, ABS ALARM, ESP ALARM, AND ANTI TRACTION LIGHT THE PROBLEM WAS ULTIMATELY FOUND TO BE A FAULTY WHEEL SPEED SENSOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE. VERY DANGEROUS, I HAVE ALSO FOUND OTHER TESTIMONIALS ONLINE SINCE THIS INCIDENT

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed May 24, 202025,450 milesLA

I'M EXPERIENCING WHEEL SPEED SENSOR MALFUNCTION AND FAILURE AT INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SPEED. IT'S HAPPENED APPROX 10 TIMES. ONCE WHEN ENCOUNTERING A DIP IN THE ROAD. ONCE IN HEAVY CROSS WINDS. AND LASTLY WHEN PASSING AN 18 WHEELER. UPON MALFUNCTION, MY CAMPER LOOSES POWER DUE TO CRUISE CONTROL DROPPING OUT. THIS PUT ME IN UNSAFE CONDITION PASSING 18 WHEELER. FIRST FAILURE WAS ON I-8 IN REMOTE COUNTRY. I MADE IT TO SAFE AREA BUT WAS VERY STRESSED. FAULT CLEARED AFTER RESTARTING MY ENGINE. NEXT EVENT WAS IN COLORADO IN AUGUST 2019. IN HEAVY CROSSWIND ON INTERSTATE SYSTEM CODED 'WHEEL SPIN, LOSS OF TRACTION.' MULTIPLE TIMES I STOPPED, KILLED ENGINE, BUT CODES DIDN'T CLEAR. UPON LEAVING CAMP IT CODED ADDITIONAL ABS FAILURE. THIS RESULTED IN BREAKDOWN. VEHICLE BECAME ERRATIC JERKING AND LURCHING. I CALLED MERCEDES AND WAS TOWED 250 MILES TO DEALER IN LITTLETON CO. RIGHT REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR REPLACED. LASTLY THIS HAPPEN AGAIN TWO DAYS AGO ON I-20 IN LOUISIANA. WHILE PASSING AN 18 WHEELER MY SPRINTER CODED 'WHEEL SPIN, VEHICLE SKID'.' IMMEDIATE LOSS OF CRUISE CONTROL CAUSED LOSS OF SPEED. THE LARGE TRUCK SPED BY ME IN THE INSIDE LANE BUFFETING ME BADLY! I MAINTAINED CONTROL BUT THIS WAS UNSAFE FOR MYSELF AND THE TRUCK DRIVER! UPON GETTING OFF INTERSTATE I GOT ABS CODE WITH VEHICLE STUCK IN LOW GEAR (COMPUTER GENERATED RESPONSE).MERCEDES HAS ONCE AGAIN TOWED MY SPRINTER TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. ALL SAID THESE SENSORS ARE NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE. THEIR FAILURES AT HIGHWAY SPEED PUT OPERATORS

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 6, 202048,271 milesIA

WHILE DRIVING OUR 2015 MERCEDES SPRINTER 3500 ON I-5 SOUTH FROM OAKLAND, CA TO JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK ON THURSDAY, MARCH 19 SUDDENLY OUR SPEED CONTROL QUIT FUNCTIONING AND THE ABS, ESP AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ON OUR INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTED UP. WE IMMEDIATELY CALLED A MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN BAKERSFIELD, CA AND WERE TOLD THAT AS LONG AS THE VAN SEEMED TO BE DRIVING , BRAKING AND HANDLING NORMALLY WE DID NOT NEED TO BRING IT IN FOR SERVICE BUT COULD CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VAN DID SEEM TO BE RUNNING NORMALLY SO WE DROVE ON WITHOUT SPEED CONTROL. ABOUT 400 MILES LATER AS WE WERE DRIVING INTO JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK THE BRAKES STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD CLICKING NOISE WHEN THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED COMPLETELY AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NO LONGER SHIFT OUT OF 2ND GEAR MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE OVER 30 MPH. WE HAD TO HAVE THE VAN TOWED 46 MILES BACK TO PALM SPRINGS, CA AND AWAIT THE MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE DEPARTMENT THERE OPENING ON MONDAY, MARCH 23. AT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THEY DIAGNOSED THE REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSORS HAD FAILED WITH ONLY 48,271 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE FOLLOWING DAY THEY REPLACED THE REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSORS AND THE VAN WAS RUNNING NORMALLY AGAIN. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM WITH THE WHEEL SPEED SENSORS ON MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER VANS. IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AT LEAST FROM THE YEAR 2013-2016. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT A VAN THAT MERCEDES PROMOTES FOR ITS UTILITY HAS THIS KIND OF FAILURE COMMONLY. IT IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. WE WERE

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Feb 21, 202023,000 milesSC

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE RPM SPEED SENSORS HAVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ON MY 2016, 3500 MERCEDES SPRINTER

Seat Belts
Filed Feb 2, 202032,000 milesIL

THE 2015 SPRINTER VAN WAS CONVERTED TO RECREATIONAL VEHICLE (RV) BY ERWIN-HYMER GROUP NA AKA ROADTREK WHICH I PURCHASED IN 2016. IT WAS SOLD AS SEATING FOR 4 (ORIGINAL SPRINTER VAN - DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND AN ADDED ROW/2 CAPTAIN CHAIRS BEHIND THAT) IN 2019 ERWIN-HYMER NA GROUP /ROADTREK FILED BANKRUPTCY TAKING AWAY 4 OF THE 6 YEARS WARRANTY I PURCHASED (VIOLATION OF MAGNUSON-MOSS WARRANTY ACT). I REACHED OUT TO THE COURT APPOINTED RECEIVER ALVAREZ&MARSAL CANADA WHO SAID THAT NO FUNDS WERE SET ASIDE FOR CONSUMERS. ADDITIONALLY, IN 2019 I WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE SECOND ROW/ 2 ADDED CAPTAIN SEATS/SEAT BELTS COULD FAIL IN A CRASH AND NOW MY VEHICLES SECOND ROW SHOULD NOT BE OCCUPIED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. (NOTIFIED IN JAN. 2020 NHTSA 19V450) YES THIS IS A SAFETY VIOLATION BUT ALSO A CONSUMER AND ROAD SAFETY ISSUE. THE RV INDUSTRY IS PUTTING LARGE VEHICLES ON THE ROAD AND THEIR IS NOT ENOUGH REGULATION TO INSURE HIGHWAY SAFETY.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Wheel Speed Sensor/Tone Ring
Filed Nov 5, 201912,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SURGED AND THE ANTI-SKID AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF MELBOURNE (509 E NASA BLVD, MELBOURNE, FL 32901) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR WHEEL SENSORS WERE REPLACED WITHIN THE LAST YEAR. THE REPAIRS WOULD LAST APPROXIMATELY FIVE MONTHS BEFORE THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED 10% OFF THE REPAIR COST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. *PM CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN RAIN OR ON WET ROADS. *DL

20 of 37 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2016
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20243300Routine
202317600Routine
20228600Routine
202181600Routine
2020132200Routine
2019274110Routine
201891000Routine
201728900Routine
2016621620Routine
2015 — this page371500Routine
201454710Routine
201345500Routine
201221411Fatalities reported
20118400Routine
20104600Routine
20091110Routine
20081000Routine
20070100Routine

Compare every Sprinter 3500 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Feb 3, 2021. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.