2015 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 3500: complaints, problems and recalls

UNABLE TO READ SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER WHEN THE SUN IS SHINNING. BOTH HAVE BLACK BACKGROUND WITH VERY NARROW WHITE NEEDLES. THE DASH LIGHTS WILL NOT GET BRIGHT ENOUGH TO LIGHT UP THE AREA. I HAVE PURCHASED A BATTERY POWERED LIGHT TO LIGHT UP THE DASH WHEN SUN IS BRIGHT. IT THINK THIS IS A SAFTY HAZARD. DEALER SAYS IT IS NORMAL.

Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10884676 at NHTSA ↗

ON A SUNNY DAY, I CANNOT SEE MY TURN SIGNALS. THEY ARE TOO DEM. DEALER SAYS THEY ARE NORMAL. I CANNOT HEAR THEM EITHER. THIS IS A SAFTY HAZARD BECAUSE THEY COULD BE ON AND I DON'T KNOW IT OR I CAN BE PREOCUPIED TRYING TO SEE IF THEY ARE ON OR NOT.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10884678 at NHTSA ↗

THIS IS A 2016 WINNEBAGO VIEW RV ON A 2015 MERCEDES BENZ 3500 CHASSIS. THE HANDLEING IS DANGEROUS. IT ROCK AND ROLLS UPON THE SLIGHTEST UNEVEN ROAD. ON SHALLOW CURVES IT FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO ROLL OVER. WINNEBAGO SAYS THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE MERCEDES BENZ WON'T LET THEM CHANGE ANYTHING ON THE CHASSIS. MERCEDES BENZ DOES SEEM TO CARE.I WONDER HOW MANY ACCIDENTS HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THIS ROCK AND ROLL ACTION.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10884682 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, IT EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO RESPOND. AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED A SECOND TIME, IT RESET BACK TO THE PROPER POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,500. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10903107 at NHTSA ↗

CURRENT ISSUE AND PAST PROBLEMS WITH THE PROPANE SYSTEM. ON MY 2015 WINNEBAGO ERA. IT CONTINUES TO VENT ENTIRE PROPANE TANK INSPIT OF THREE PRIOR ATTEMPTS BY WINNABAGO DEALERS EFFORTS TO FIX PROBLEM. *BF AFTER I FINALLY GOT MY VEHICLE IN AUGUST 18. I USED IT ON A FOUR DAY TRIP TO SEE THE ECLIPSE. SINCE THEN I HAVE TAKEN IT FOR A RIDE TWICE A MONTH AND I RAN THE GENERATOR THREE TIMES, AS INSTRUCTIONS DICTATE. PROPANE TANK SHOWED NEARLY FULL THREE WEEKS AGO. LAST WEEK I SMELT PROPANE GAS COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE IN MY DRIVE WA…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11048545 at NHTSA ↗

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE PARTY IN 2016 IT IS A SPRINTER WITH A COACHMAN FOREST RIVER MOTORHOME/COACH ON THE CHASSIS I HAVE ALMOST NO VISIBILITY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE LOOKING IN THE SIDE VIEW MIRROR. BECAUSE THEY INSTALLED AN AWNING AT THE FACTORY BEFORE THEY SOLD IT AS A NEW VEHICLE. I CONTACTED THE NTSB AND FILED A COMPLAINT IN JULY OF 2016(APPROXIMATELY) AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE LOOKED INTO. I NEVER HEARD BACK. I COMPLAINED TO MERCEDES AND THEY SAID THEY SELL THOUSANDS OF CHASSIS TO COACH MANUFACTURERS AND IT IS NOT THEIR PROBL…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11189990 at NHTSA ↗

ABS,ESP AND TRACTION CONTROL OUT. WHEEL SPEED SENSORS CAUSE FAULT THAT TRIGGERS ALL THREE SYSTEMS TO FAIL. I HAVE REPLACED REAR WHEEL SENSORS THREE TIMES. WHEN FAILING THE TRANSMISSION IS ERRATIC AND WANTS TO SURGE AHEAD. I MUST STAND ON THE BRAKE TO NOT HIT THE CARS IN FRONT. MY VEHICLE HAS 22,000 MILES AND ISSUE STARTED ON OUR FIRST ROAD TRIP. IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN GOING ABOUT 5 MPH IN TRAFFIC. OUR VEHICLE IS A WINNEBEGO NAVION WITH A MB SPRINTER BASE. THIS PROBLEM IS STRICTLY A MERCEDES PROBLEM. *DT*JB

Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11194330 at NHTSA ↗

TAKATA RECALL: MERCEDES ADVISED ME THAT THE REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS FOR PASSENGER SIDE MAY NOT BE READY UNTIL 2020. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. THEREFORE THIS IS MY FORMAL COMPLAINT.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11233973 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2016-02-18 (February 18, 2016)

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vans manufactured April 29, 2015, to December 15, 2015. The affected vehicles have a tire pressure label that incorrectly states a higher maximum load capacity than the vehicle is designed for.

Consequence: The vehicle may be overloaded if loaded to the incorrect weight shown on the label, possibly resulting in axle or tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner dealers will replace the incorrect tire pressure label, free of charge. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

Reported: 2016-04-29 (April 29, 2016)

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Mercedes Benz and Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured April 1, 2015, to October 31, 2015. The affected vehicles may have had multiple layers of paint applied, and as a result, in a crash, the windows may separate from the vehicle when the outer layer of paint peels from the layer below.

Consequence: If the windows separate from the vehicle in a crash, the occupants are at a greater risk of injury.

Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will remove the windows and inspect the paintwork, repainting the vehicles as necessary, free of charge. This recall began August 4, 2016. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-770-705-2070.

Reported: 2016-05-24 (May 24, 2016)

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured May 31, 2015, to April 30, 2016, and 2015-2016 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured May 1, 2015, to April 30, 2016. The affected vehicles are configured to have super-high roofs, but may not be equipped with the required crash pads.

Consequence: If the required crash pads are missing, it can increase the risk of injury to a front passenger seat occupant if they are unbelted.

Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will install the required crash-pads, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2016. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

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

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles were manufactured without a protective plate on the front of the gas tank and a foam ring at the filler neck. As such, these vehicles may not comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."

Consequence: Without the protective plate and the foam ring installed, impacts may damage the tank resulting in a fuel leak that can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began on June 6, 2017. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

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

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The affected vehicles were manufactured without a driveshaft catch strap, allowing a loose driveshaft to strike the fuel tank. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."

Consequence: A loose driveshaft may strike and puncture the gas tank, resulting in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will install a driveshaft catch strap, free of charge. The recall began on April 27, 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 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.

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 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.

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: 2019-03-26 (March 26, 2019)

Vantage Mobility International, LLC (Vantage) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit Van, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2007 Ford F-250-based shuttle vehicles equipped with Freedman GO-3S foldaway seats. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.

Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: Vantage has notified owners, instructing them to contact Freedman for a repair kit, free of charge. The recall began March 25, 2019. Owners may contact Freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540.

Reported: 2020-10-28 (October 28, 2020)

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.

Consequence: The sudden loss of power steering assist and hydraulic steering fluid leaking onto the roadway may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

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.