Mercedes Benz SPRINTER 3500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
34 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
20,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 to 2015 model years. Data snapshot: . 23 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 34 complaints (29.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 12 | 35.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 5.9% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.9% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 10 |
| Air Bags | 9 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 8 |
| Service Brakes | 6 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Wheels | 3 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 10; Air Bags: 9; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 8; Service Brakes: 6; Power Train: 3; Wheels: 3; Seat Belts: 2; Unknown Or Other: 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 | 13 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 9 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 13; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 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 |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2012: 1; 2015: 4; 2016: 1; 2017: 8; 2018: 2; 2019: 2; 2020: 5; 2021: 9; 2022: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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 11139000 · 2018-10-08 (October 8, 2018)
REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILURE. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE A REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR IN EACH OF THE LAST 3 YEARS. WHEN THE SENSOR FAILS THE ABS SYSTEM STOPS OPERATING. CRUISE CONTROL IS DISABLED AND TRACTION CONTROL IS DISABLED. VEHICLE IS STILL DRIVABLE, BUT SAFETY SYSTEMS ARE LOST UNTIL REPAIRED. BASED ON WEB SEARCHES THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE AND MODEL YEAR. I HAVE NOT HAD A DANGEROUS INCIDENT WHEN THE SENSOR GAVE OUT THOUGH I HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH SOME UNCOMMANDED BRAKING.
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11139000 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11365194 · 2020-10-19 (October 19, 2020)
I HAVE HAD TWO FAILURES OF A REAR SPEED SENSOR WHICH HAVE CAUSED A LOSS OF ANTI LOCK BRAKING, TRACTION CONTROL, AND CRUISE CONTROL. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE ON OCT 14, 2020 ALSO RESULTED IN SOME ERRATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTING. ALL OF THESE THINGS IMPACT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. IN BOTH FAILURES THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11365194 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11426973 · 2021-07-29 (July 29, 2021)
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 Contro…
Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11426973 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10888804 · 2016-07-26 (July 26, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500. WHILE ROTATING THE SEATS, THE SEAT BELT AND AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,657.
Owner-reported narrative. 11,657 miles reported. Look up ODI 10888804 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11021326 · 2017-09-04 (September 4, 2017)
PURCHASED VEHICLE WITH STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS FOR RADIO VOLUME AND HANDLESS TELEPHONE ANSWERING AS I PREFER TO TO KEEP BOTH HANDS ON THE WHEEL WITH A LARGER, HEAVIER VEHICLE. RECALL REMOVED FUNCTION OF SAID CONTROL AND WAS TOLD IT WILL NOT BE FIXED. VERIFIED BY PHONE CALL TO WINNEBAGO. INQUIRED AT FACTORY AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAD TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO SPEAK TO A TECHNICIAN, OR CALL. TO ANSWER THE PHONE, I NOW HAVE TO TAKE MY EYES OFF THE ROAD, FIND THE SMALL SQUARE ON THE TOUCH SCREEN TO ANSWER AND DISCONNECT . I ALSO HAVE TO CONTINUALLY A…
Owner-reported narrative. 29,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11021326 at NHTSA ↗
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2015 | 3 |
2013: 0; 2015: 3