2014 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 3500: complaints, problems and recalls

WHILE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEED, THE E. V. S. LTD. MEDICAL ATTENDANT SEAT FELT LOOSE. ON MOVING IT SLIGHTLY, THE SEAT BASE SEPARATED AND THE SEAT FELL OFF WITH HALF THE BASE. UPON INSPECTION OF THE ADDITIONAL SEAT BASES, THERE WERE SEVERAL CRACKS IN THE BASE WELDS FOUND. ALL BASES HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THESE SEATS ARE ADVERTISED AS MEETING FVMSS 207/210 TESTING.

Owner-reported narrative. 27,585 miles reported. Look up ODI 10761792 at NHTSA ↗

I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE BRAKES FELT VERY SOFT AND MADE LONG BRAKING DISTANCE. WHEN I TOWED THE SMALL SUV, I THOUGHT IT WAS NORMAL BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING WITH OVER ITS GVWR. BUT ALL THE TIME I HAVE TO STEP MORE TIME(LIKE PUMPING) TO STOP EVEN ON DRIVING UNDER 40MPH. IT NEVER ALLOW ME TO STEP ONE TIME.

Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10765196 at NHTSA ↗

BRAKES FEEL INEFFECTIVE AND SOFT ON FIRST APPLICATION OF PEDAL. REQUIRE 2ND APPLICATION OF BRAKE PEDAL TO FEEL CONFIDENT BRAKING ACTION. MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS 2014 CHASSIS SPRINTER 3500 REPORT SAME ISSUE. DEALERS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REMEDY THE PROBLEM. INDICATES A DESIGN / ENGINEERING FLAW, RATHER THAN, A MECHANICAL FAILURE. THIS BRAKING ISSUE WAS CONSISTENT SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. HTTP://WWW.FORESTRIVERFORUMS.COM/FORUMS/F191/WHO-ELSE-HAS-SOFT-SPONGY-BRAKES-ON-THEIR-MB-93102.HTML

Owner-reported narrative. 8,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10778042 at NHTSA ↗

BREAKS ARE SOFT AND SPONGY AND THE PEDAL GOES WITHIN 1-INCH FROM THE FLOOR. THIS IS VERY NERVE RACKING AND UNSAFE. I HAVE TO START APPLYING THE BREAKS FAR AHEAD FROM WHERE IS NORMAL AND HOPE I STOP IN TIME. THIS RIG IS HEAVY AND THE BREAKS SHOULD WORK JUST THE OPPOSITE TO GIVE MORE TIME TO STOP. HAD BREAKS CHECKED AT DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG BUT WANTED TO CHARGE ME TO FLUSH BREAKS. WENT TO MANAGER AND THEY PAID THE COST TO FLUSH BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL THE SAME. THIS CONDITION HAPPENS EVERY TIME YOU USE THE BREA…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10778553 at NHTSA ↗

CALIFORNIA SMOG. 9TH EMISSION MONITOR FAILS TO CLEAR. DEALER KEEPS SENDING ME OUT TO DRIVE HUNDREDS OF MILES. DOESN'T REPAIR. UNDER WARRANTY. CAL SMOG BOARD AWARE OF THIS KNOWN DEFECT.

Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10789660 at NHTSA ↗

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V077000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROGRESSING FAILURE IN WHICH THE REAR TURN SIGNALS AND BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER PULLED THE PANELS, TRACED THE WIRES, AND TESTED THE BULBS, BUT WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10865067 at NHTSA ↗

I HAVE A 2015 COACHMAN PRISM RV ON A 2014 MERCEDES SPRINTER. IT HAS DUAL WHEELS. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CHECK AIR PRESSURE ON THE DUAL . I TOOK IT TOO MERCEDES DEALERSHIP AND THEY PUT ON EXTENDERS. THE ONE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FAILED WITHIN 500 MILES. IT DUG A GROOVE IN THE ON TIRE AND THE VALVE STEM SPLIT. THE OTHER SIDE FAILED AFTER 3000 MILES. THE VALVE STEM SPLIT. I AM SURPRISED WITH THE EMPHASIS PUT ON PROPER TIRE PRESSURE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM TODAY. I AM STILL LOOKING FOR SOLUTION. I AM LOOKING FOR HIGH QUALITY VALVE EXTENDERS AND A G…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10937321 at NHTSA ↗

TAKATA RECALL - THIS RECALL WAS IDENTIFIED IN JANUARY 2016 - ALMOST ONE YEAR AGO. HAVING SEEN THE POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO A PASSENGER, IT IS IMPERATIVE TO RESOLVE THIS QUICKLY. I DO NOT WANT TO BE FILING A COMPLAINT AFTER THE AIR BAG BLOWS UP! *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 19,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10937734 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2014-11-05 (November 5, 2014)

Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply (Cummings) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, E-350, Chevrolet Express, 2006-2008 Dodge Sprinter, and 2009-2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2013 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured January 1, 2006, to October 8, 2014, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation after January 1, 2006. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.

Consequence: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.

Remedy: Cummings will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2015. Owners may contact Cumming's customer service at 1-800-639-5438 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Cumming's number for this recall is 14E-041.

Reported: 2014-12-01 (December 1, 2014)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC - DBA Sprinter (Mercedes) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Sprinter 2500, and Sprinter 3500 vehicles manufactured February 28, 2014, to November 21, 2014. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from around the chain tensioner gasket area.

Consequence: Leaking oil may drip onto a hot engine surface, increasing the risk of a fire. Additionally, the leaking oil may be a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Mercedes will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chain tensioner gasket, free of charge. The recall began on December 19, 2014. Owners may contact Mercedes customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Mercedes' number for this recall is 2014120003.

Reported: 2016-02-10 (February 10, 2016)

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (Daimler Vans) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Dodge Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2006, to July 31, 2008, 2007-2014 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2006, to July 1, 2014, and 2010-2014 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2010, to July 1, 2014. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Daimler Vans will notify the Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner owners and Fiat Chrysler will notify the Dodge owners. The respective dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2017. Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner owners may contact Daimler Van's customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Dodge owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Reported: 2017-02-10 (February 10, 2017)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2017-12-08 (December 8, 2017)

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

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2019-01-08 (January 8, 2019)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2021-02-03 (February 3, 2021)

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.

Consequence: 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.