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U.S. public vehicle records

Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 3500 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

312 owner complaints analyzed

89 distinct recall campaigns

18,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2007 to 2024 model years. Data snapshot: . 174 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 62 of 312 complaints (19.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior9028.8%
Transmission and shifting3210.3%
Electrical and battery issues185.8%
Steering behavior134.2%
Engine operation82.6%
Fuel system concerns10.3%

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.

Air Bags
62
Service Brakes
58
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
51
Vehicle Speed Control
50
Electrical System
39
Power Train
29
Unknown Or Other
28
Wheels
24
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags62
Service Brakes58
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)51
Vehicle Speed Control50
Electrical System39
Power Train29
Unknown Or Other28
Wheels24

Air Bags: 62; Service Brakes: 58; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 51; Vehicle Speed Control: 50; Electrical System: 39; Power Train: 29; Unknown Or Other: 28; Wheels: 24

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
113
25,000 to 49,999
49
50,000 to 74,999
6
75,000 to 99,999
1
100,000 to 149,999
3
150,000 and above
2
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,000113
25,000 to 49,99949
50,000 to 74,9996
75,000 to 99,9991
100,000 to 149,9993
150,000 and above2

Under 25,000: 113; 25,000 to 49,999: 49; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 2

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (113). 138 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.

2013
1
2014
2
2015
8
2016
14
2017
23
2018
30
2019
33
2020
69
2021
52
2022
15
2023
19
2024
25
2025
10
2026
11
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20131
20142
20158
201614
201723
201830
201933
202069
202152
202215
202319
202425
202510
202611

2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 8; 2016: 14; 2017: 23; 2018: 30; 2019: 33; 2020: 69; 2021: 52; 2022: 15; 2023: 19; 2024: 25; 2025: 10; 2026: 11

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 90 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 32 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 18 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 11432113 · 2021-09-08 (September 8, 2021)

The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal would depress to the floorboard without warning. The contact stated that he had to pump the brake pedal several times for the vehicle to come to a complete stop. The contact had initially taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where he had the brake pads and rotors replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact then took the vehicle to a dealer where they performed an inspection and found no defects with the…

Owner-reported narrative. 74,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11432113 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10628368 · 2014-08-26 (August 26, 2014)

VEHICLE COMPLETELY TURNED OFF WHILE GOING 70MPH ON I95 IN JACKSONVILLE FL.LOST ALL POWER FOR STEERING, BRAKES AND ALL INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON. NO POWER FOR RADIO/A/C OR ANYTHING. MANAGED TO MANEUVER VEHICLE IN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TRAFFIC OVER 5 LANES ONTO OFFING RAMP, AND STOP ON SIDE OF RAMP. THIS WAS A VERY HORRIFIC EXPERIENCE.THE VEHICLE GAVE NO WARNING LIGHTS, JUST A MILD "BEEP" TYPE SOUND AND THEN SHUT DOWN. AFTER PULLING TO SIDE OF ROAD THERE WERE NO CODES THAT CAME UP ON DASH...COULD OF CAUSED FATALITY. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 6,738 miles reported. Look up ODI 10628368 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11094122 · 2018-05-16 (May 16, 2018)

DROVE ON INTERSTATE EXPRESSWAY AT 60 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE DISCONNECTED FROM THE TRANSMISSION. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, ABS WARNING, ESC WARNING AND ASC WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. HAD TO CAREFULLY COAST TO THE ROAD SHOULDER. TURNED OFF ENGINE AND CHECKED FOR OBVIOUS PROBLEMS UNDER THE HOOD, BUT FOUND NOTHING. STARTED ENGINE UP AGAIN AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME, ALTHOUGH ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ON. MB DEALER DIAGNOSIS SHOWED A MALFUNCTIONING WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND REPLACED IT. NOT EXACTLY A PLEASANT FEELING WHEN YOU'RE IN EXPRESSWAY TRAFF…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11094122 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11382947 · 2020-12-10 (December 10, 2020)

THIS SPRINTER IS A WINNEBAGO 170X RV CONVERSION. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS SINCE BUYING THE VEHICLE IN 2016 WE HAVE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING. THE ENGINE REMAINS ON BUT THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT ENGAGED. STOPPING THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTING CLEARS UP THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY BUT IT WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN UNTIL A FAILING REAR SPEED SENSOR IS REPLACED. THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED THE LOCAL MB DEALER REPLACED BOTH REAR SENSORS FREE OF CHARGE EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE SECOND TIME A WHEEL SENSOR FAILED WE…

Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11382947 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11366929 · 2020-10-28 (October 28, 2020)

A THOR MOTOR COACH ON A 2012 MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER MDB 11K 170 16 0257554 CHASSIS. ON 4/17/2019 THE DEF SENSOR FAILED ON 05/18/2020 THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILED. ON 09/14/2020 THE BATTERY FAULT PANEL BLEW OUT. ON 10/12/2020 THE EXHAUST GAS SENSOR FAILED. ON 10/22/2020 THE LEFT REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILED. THESE FAILURES HAPPENED WHILE ON TRIPS WITH NO AUTHORIZED REPAIR FACILITIES WITHIN 100 MILES LEAVING THE PEOPLE IN THE COACH IN UNSAFE LOCATIONS WITH NO CELL PHONE SERVICE. THIS COACH HAS A FEATURE THAT PUTS IT INTO A LIMP M…

Owner-reported narrative. 45,692 miles reported. Look up ODI 11366929 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10888826 · 2016-07-26 (July 26, 2016)

THIS 120 VAC ELECTRICAL ISSUE (SHOCK HAZARD) IS IN REGARD TO AN RV - A WINNEBAGO VIEW PROFILE SITTING ATOP A MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER 3500 CHASSIS. THERE ARE TWO A/C CIRCUITS FOR "OUTLETS" (120 VAC PLUGS). #2 OUTLET CIRCUIT HAS A GROUND FAULT YET THE GFCI AT THE FIRST OUTLET IN THE CIRCUIT DOES NOT TRIP NOR DOES THE CIRCUIT BREAKER. WHEN MY RV IS POWERED FROM MY GARAGE 120 VAC GFCI PLUG IT IS NOT TRIPPED EITHER. I'VE GOTTEN ELECTRICAL SHOCKS AT THE WATER/ELECTRICAL STORAGE / ACCESS AREA WHILE ATTACHED TO A 120 VAC POWER SOURCE AND UNDER THE E…

Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10888826 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11548679 · 2023-10-06 (October 6, 2023)

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the vehicle became difficult to steer. The contact stated that she safely drove the vehicle to her residence. The contact stated that when she opened the hood, she discovered that the vehicle was leaking power steering fluid. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approxi…

Owner-reported narrative. 61,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11548679 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11098720 · 2018-05-30 (May 30, 2018)

LOSS OF POWER WILL NOT GO MORE THAN 15-20 MPH VEHICLE IN MOTION ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND LOSS OF EXCELLERATION ON HIGHWAY

Owner-reported narrative. 19,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11098720 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11003106 · 2017-07-05 (July 5, 2017)

WHILE IN MOTION AND ACCELERATING, VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLS WHEN ABRUPTLY TAKING FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR REQUIRING COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, SHIFT TO PARK, RESTART. AFTER RESTART, ENGINE OPERATES NORMALLY UNTIL ABRUPTLY TAKING FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR. WHEN TAKING FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR SLOWLY, ENGINE DOES NOT STALL. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON. VERY DANGEROUS ON A LEFT TURN OR IN TRAFFIC. I FOUND A SIMILAR COMPLAINT: ​NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10628368

Owner-reported narrative. 38,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11003106 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11761821 · 2026-09-03 (September 3, 2026)

1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request?** The engine/internal engine components and fuel injection system failed. was stated in video that fuel injector looked fine. cylinder #2, including a burnt valve and damage to the top of the piston. The Mercedes-Benz dealership also stated that it was highly likely that the cylinder #2 potentially by becoming stuck wide open or developing a severely abnormal spray pattern. The failed engine and components may be available for inspection upon …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11761821 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

2008
0
2009
1
2010
6
2011
4
2012
4
2013
5
2014
7
2015
12
2016
16
2017
9
2018
10
2019
41
2020
22
2021
16
2022
6
2023
6
2024
3
Recall campaigns data
CategoryCount
20080
20091
20106
20114
20124
20135
20147
201512
201616
20179
201810
201941
202022
202116
20226
20236
20243

2008: 0; 2009: 1; 2010: 6; 2011: 4; 2012: 4; 2013: 5; 2014: 7; 2015: 12; 2016: 16; 2017: 9; 2018: 10; 2019: 41; 2020: 22; 2021: 16; 2022: 6; 2023: 6; 2024: 3

Year-by-year records

Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 3500 model-year comparison
Model yearComplaintsRecallsChange in recalls
200701Not available
200810-1
200911+1
201046+5
201184-2
20122140
2013275+1
2014547+2
20152112+5
20166216+4
2017289-7
2018910+1
20192741+31
20201322-19
2021816-6
202286-10
20231760
202433-3