Model year record

2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 recalls & problems

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 has 9 safety recalls and 28 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is wheels (7 complaints).

Recalls9safety recalls

Complaints28filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Electronic stability control (esc)Feb 3, 2021

Control module

Recall 21V04200048,667 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

SteeringOct 28, 2020

Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections

Recall 20V66300047,667 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

Air bagsJan 8, 2019

Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Recall 19V00300071,301 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

Air bagsJan 8, 2019

Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

Recall 19V00400088,388 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

StructureMay 3, 2018

Body

Recall 18V288000153 vehicles

Problem: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2017 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles may be missing spot welds on the front side wall, connecting the door portal to the hinge reinforcements in the A-pillar area, possibly affecting vehicle strength in a crash.
Risk: If the missing welds affect body strength, there may be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and add any missing spot welds, free of charge. The recall began on July 2, 2018. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

EquipmentFeb 15, 2018

Other › Labels

Recall 18V11300017 vehicles

Problem: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and Sprinter 3500 vehicles, equipped with folding seats (sales code S20). The unloaded vehicle weight (UVW) label on these incomplete vehicles may be incorrect.
Risk: The incorrect UVW label can result in final stage manufacturers exceeding the maximum vehicle weight once the vehicle is completed. A vehicle that exceeds its maximum weight has an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the UVW label and inspect the vehicle to make sure that it is not overloaded, free of charge. The recall began on April 3, 2018. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

Lane departureDec 14, 2017

Assist

Recall 17V8040002,177 vehicles

Problem: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 and Freightliner Sprinter 3500 vehicles equipped with the Crosswind Assist function. In the event of strong crosswind, automatic brake interventions by the vehicle dynamics control system (ADAPTIVE ESP) might not be activated.
Risk: If Crosswind Assist system does not activate the automatic braking system as expected in the event of a strong crosswind, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the ESP control unit with corrected software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in January 2018. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-854-888-3214.

EquipmentDec 8, 2017

Equipment

Recall 17V786000550 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

TiresNov 21, 2017

Temporary/emergency spare tire

Recall 17V742000773 vehicles

Problem: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2017 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vans. The spare tire holder under the vehicle may not be properly secured.
Risk: If the spare tire holder is not properly secured, the spare tire may separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: DVUSA will notify owners and dealers will lift the spare tire holder completely and tighten the securing screws as necessary, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact DVUSA custom service at 1-854-888-3214.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Typical mileage*
WheelsRim	7	15,000 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)	7	17,380 mi
Service brakes	5	20,200 mi
Vehicle speed control	4	—
Electrical system	3	—
StructureBody	3	—
Air bags	2	—
Unknown or other	2	—
Fuel system, diesel	2	—
Engine	1	—
Power train	1	—
Fuel/propulsion system	1	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Wheels › Rim
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver's side tire became deflated. The vehicle was driven to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the front driver's side rim was cracked. The contact was informed that the front driver's side rim needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the parts were unavailable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the failure had reoccurred due to potholes in the road. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The failure became a persistent failure. Additionally, the contact stated that the…
May 18, 2026 · 15,000 miles
Air bags
The vehicle has swivel seats. When the driverâs seat swivel, itâs severed the wires, the control the SRS system.
Jun 5, 2019
Fuel system, diesel
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz M3CA76 Sprinter 3500. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the diesel purifier, Diesel Exhaust Fluid, DEF system, warning illuminated. The contact stated that the failure of the DEF system had occurred before the recent failure. The contact stated that the first failure had occurred several years ago. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the DEF system again needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 325,000.
Dec 16, 2024 · 325,000 miles
Fuel system, diesel
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes- Benz Sprinter 350. The contact stated that while driving at various highway speeds the warning message "DEF Is Low" had suddenly displayed and the vehicle went into "Limp Mode" causing the speed to suddenly reduce to 5 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the DEF tank was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 44,000.
Nov 19, 2024 · 44,000 miles
Structure
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, he had to brake abruptly, due to an animal crossing the roadway. Then he heard a loud sound coming from underneath the vehicle, when he took his foot off the brake. . The contact pulled over to the side of the road and saw the water tank had fallen to the ground. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the water tank was firmly re-attached to the RV. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but has to date denied responsibility for inadequately attaching the water tank to its RVs. The failure mileage was 49,500.
Jul 28, 2023 · 49,500 miles
Service brakes
The ESP and ABS warning lights went on suddenly after what sounded like a thud. The car had not run over anything. There was some initial brief chattering of the break pedal, and that subsided. The car was not near a suitable and available repair shop at the time. It was driven to complete a trip. There were several instances of break pedal chattering that led concern about the controllability of the vehicle. During the trip, it was taken to a brake shop, and the technicians felt it was likely safe to drive. Eventually after the servicing dealer first replaced the front speed sensors, the ESP unit was found to be shorted. This event is of concern because the speed sensors on the rear have…
Jul 23, 2023
Unknown or other
The front left wheel cover shifted and nearly sheared off the tire valve stem. Had this happened while we were on the road, the tire would have had a very fast deflate/explosion. This would have put the 24ft. RV into an uncontrollable nose-dive and possible crash situation. The nearly-sheared valve stem was discovered by technicians while we were having routine maintenance done at the authorized Mercedes dealership. They removed the tire and replaced the valve stem. We were told by the Service Manager that this usually happens to the rear dual wheels, not the front. We have had zip ties put on to keep the wheel "hubcaps" (beauty rings) on the wheels because they are notorious for flying…
Jun 26, 2023
Service brakes
I'm getting wheel sensor errors and the vehicle goes into limp mode and disables the cruise control, even after replacing the sensors. Very frustrated with this dangerous situation!
May 30, 2023

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled…
EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021
Rear Wheel Speed Sensor FailureClosedLed to recall 21V042000
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by Daimler Vans USA, LLC (Daimler) as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers to identify incidents related to Rear Wheel Speed Sensors (RWSS) failures. ODI's analysis identified 6,710 incidents of RWSS failure (unique VINs) in MY 2012-2018 Mercedes- Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles upfitted to campers or recreational vehicles (RVs) representing 81 percent of all Sprinter RWSS reports. Complaint and warranty analysis indicated that the majority of incidents (approximately 99%) were related to RWSS moisture intrusion condition in the Sprinter 3500 5-ton variant, which accounts for 98 percent of upfit campers, where moisture build-up and crystal dendrite formation develop in parked RVs and lead to sensor failures. According to the Daimler Information Request (IR) response, if the wheel speed…
PE20014 · opened Sep 21, 2020 · closed Mar 30, 2021