2017 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 3500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
28 owner complaints analyzed
9 distinct recall campaigns
18,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 17 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 28 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 25.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.6% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 7 |
| Service Brakes | 5 |
| Wheels | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 7; Service Brakes: 5; Wheels: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Electrical System: 3; Air Bags: 2; Fuel System, Diesel: 2; Structure:Body: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 11 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2019: 4; 2020: 6; 2021: 9; 2023: 5; 2024: 2; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11319376 · 2020-03-26 (March 26, 2020)
WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILURE. ABS, TRACTION CONTROL SIT DOWN UNTIL REPLACED SENSOR.
Owner-reported narrative. 29,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11319376 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11342776 · 2020-08-02 (August 2, 2020)
TRAVELING ON I-95 WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 70 MPH. SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND THREE WARNING LIGHTS (ABS, TRACTION & THE ACCELERATION SKID CONTROL / ELECTRONIC BRAKING ASSIST) CAME ON THE DASH. THE VEHICLE FELT SLUGGISH AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NO LONGER WORK. THERE ARE ONLY 21,200+ MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR MY FAMILY AND I WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE.
Owner-reported narrative. 20,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11342776 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11185622 · 2019-03-10 (March 10, 2019)
SPRINTER COMPLETELY LOST ELECTRICAL POWER, ENGINE AND DRIVE TRAIN PROPULSION. THE TACH AND SPEEDOMETER FROZE IN PLACE AT 2500 RPM AND 15MPH. 60 SECONDS PASSED AND THE DASH LIGHTS BLINKED AND THEN ALLOWED ME TO RESTART VEHICLE. IT WAS LIKE THE SYSTEM RE-BOOTED ITSELF. LUCKILY I WAS NOT AT SPEED OR IN A DRIVING LANE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I HAD JUST FILLED THE TANK WITH DIESEL, MY DEF WAS AT 80% FULL AND I WAS DEPARTING THE SERVICE STATION. I WAS ABLE TO START VEHICLE AND RETURN HOME, 10 MILES. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AT HOME THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11185622 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11430294 · 2021-08-24 (August 24, 2021)
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V663000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The 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 time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11430294 at NHTSA ↗