2016 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 3500: complaints, problems and recalls

THE VEHICLE HAS EXCESSIVE BRAKE PEDAL FREE-PLAY TRAVEL BEFORE BRAKING OCCURS. ALTHOUGH THE MANUFACTURER'S OWNERS MANUAL WARNS AGAINST PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE, IT IS IMPERATIVE TO DO SO ESPECIALLY IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. IF THE DRIVER HAS TO HESITATE TO MAKE A DECISION ON WHETHER TO BRAKE OR ACCELERATE, THE FREE-PLAY TRAVEL WILL NOT ALLOW THE DRIVER ENOUGH TIME TO BRAKE SAFELY. THE VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TO BRING TO A SAFE STOP UNLESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PUMPED AT LEAST TWO PUMPS BEFORE IT FEELS LIKE AND BRAKES LIKE A NORMAL…

Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10891844 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT YET SUPPLIED THE PARTS AND REMEDY FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V465000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM THE MANUFACTURER MONTHS AGO. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN OF WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10919917 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500. PRIOR TO PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED RUST ON THE REAR BUMPER AND CORROSION UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WEATHER CAULKING WAS NOT SEALED AND LEAKED WATER ON THE BUMP-OUT LOCATED BETWEEN THE HOLES OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH A CONTRACT THAT INDICATED A 2016 FOREST RIVER PRISM 2200 LE. THE DEALER WOULD NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT REFUSED TO ACCEPT THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER IN THAT …

Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10980246 at NHTSA ↗

HAD TO SLAM ON BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING A CAR THAT PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME AS I APPROACHED A RED LIGHT. REAR PASSENGER BRAKE LINE FAILED AS A RESULT OF THE STOP. PUMPING BRAKES RESULTED IN FLUID BEING PUMPED OUT OF THE LINES.

Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11011853 at NHTSA ↗

FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE, AND THE CARGO SLIDING DOOR, HANDLES PINCH FINGERS. THE WAY THE HANDLE LATCH OPENS PROVIDES THE OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUR FINGERS/HAND TO SLIDE INTO THE OPENING PART OF THE LATCH, AND GET SEVERELY PINCHED. BLEEDING WAS SOMEWHAT SEVER RECENTLY, WITH BLOOD STREAMING DOWN THE VEHICLE'S DOOR BODY. THE SKIN ON MY LEFT SMALL FINGERTIP WAS PINCHED ARE REMOVED, CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL BLEEDING. I HAD TO OFTEN CHANGE THE BANDAGES TO MAINTAIN PRESSURE. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, AND OCCURRED WHILE OPENING SLIDING CARGO DOOR L…

Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11016161 at NHTSA ↗

THE AIR CONDITION SHUTS DOWN AFTER A COUPLE OF HOURS. IT JUST COMES FROM THE VENTS HOT AIR AND STAUNCHY (BAD ODORS) ODORS. CONTACT MERCEDES BENZ AND THEY SAY THAT THEY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT ARE NOT WILLING TO FIX IT.

Owner-reported narrative. 3,021 miles reported. Look up ODI 11052317 at NHTSA ↗

OUR VIEW WAS SUBJECT TO A RECALL (NHTSA NOTICE - 17V-262) WHICH INVOLVED THE RADIO/CELL PHONE VOLUME & FUNCTION CONTROLS MOUNTED IN THE STEERING WHEEL. WINNEBAGO'S FIX WAS JUST REMOVING THE CONTROL. WHICH WAS A SAFETY FEATURE IN THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE TO TAKE OUR EYES OFF THE ROAD TO ANSWER THE PHONE OR ADJUST THE RADIO. IT SEEMS UNACCEPTABLE THAT WINNEBAGO'S ONLY ACTION WAS TO REMOVE THE CONTROL AND NOT REPLACE IT! MINNESOTA'S AG'S OFFICE RECOMMENDED CONTACTING NHTSA AND FILE A COMPLAINT.

Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11062574 at NHTSA ↗

SEPERATION OF BOTH FRONT TIRES ON MERCEDES 3500 SPRINTER. THIS TRUCK HAS HAD VERY LIGHT USE AND TRAVELS 17K PER YEAR. THE PHOTOS ARE ATTACHED.

Owner-reported narrative. 30,070 miles reported. Look up ODI 11064317 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: 2016-09-15 (September 15, 2016)

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain model year 2016 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured March 1, 2016, to May 31, 2016. The bolts connecting the lower seat belt connection to the rear bench seat may not have been properly tightened.

Consequence: If the bolts were not properly tightened, the seat belt may fail to secure the seat occupant in the event of a crash.

Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and Sprinter dealers will inspect the connecting bolts, tightening them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on November 18, 2016. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

Reported: 2016-11-28 (November 28, 2016)

Midwest Automotive Designs, LLC (Midwest) is recalling certain model year 2016 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2016, to September 30, 2016, equipped with certain left side seat adjusters, model number 486077 manufactured by Atwood. The affected seat adjusters may allow the seats to move in the event of a crash. As such, these adjusters fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages", and 207 "Seating Systems."

Consequence: If the seat moves in the event of a crash, the seat occupant would be at an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: Midwest will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left slide track, free of charge. The recall began on December 22, 2016. Owners may contact Midwest customer service at 1-574-522-4878.

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: 2017-03-07 (March 7, 2017)

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles and Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The bracket for the center support bearing of the drive shaft may not have been properly welded.

Consequence: If the event of a crash, the bracket may detach and the drive shaft may damage the fuel system, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners and dealers will install three additional rivets to secure the bracket, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on May 5, 2017. The recall began on July 7, 2017. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

Reported: 2017-06-05 (June 5, 2017)

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2016 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with reinforced front axles. The affected vehicles have tire labels on the B-pillar that list a tire pressure that is too low.

Consequence: Operating the vehicle with low front tire pressures may result in tire damage, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, Freightliner Sprinter and Mercedes-Benz dealers will check and replace the tire label, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 5, 2017. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

Reported: 2017-09-22 (September 22, 2017)

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500/3500 vehicles. The affected vehicles were manufactured without a driveshaft catch strap, allowing a loose driveshaft to strike the fuel tank.

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 the missing catch strap for the driveshaft, free of charge. Daimler issued an interim notification to owners on November 17, 2017. The recall began on December 21, 2017. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

Reported: 2017-10-16 (October 16, 2017)

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The label on the B-pillar may state a higher maximum vehicle load capacity than the vehicle is designed for. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

Consequence: If the load capacity information is incorrect on the label, the vehicle may be overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will check the label and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 15, 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: 2018-02-15 (February 15, 2018)

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and Sprinter 3500 vehicles, equipped with folding seats (sales code S20). The unloaded vehicle weight (UVW) label on these incomplete vehicles may be incorrect.

Consequence: The incorrect UVW label can result in final stage manufacturers exceeding the maximum vehicle weight once the vehicle is completed. A vehicle that exceeds its maximum weight has an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the UVW label and inspect the vehicle to make sure that it is not overloaded, free of charge. The recall began on April 3, 2018. 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 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: 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.