2015 Mercedes Benz SPRINTER 3500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
16 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
12,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2015 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 16 complaints (31.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 43.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 6.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 6.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 6.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 6.3% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Wheels | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Service Brakes: 4; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 3; Air Bags: 2; Power Train: 2; Seat Belts: 2; Wheels: 2; Electrical System: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 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: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 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 (10). 2 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 |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 4 |
2015: 4; 2016: 1; 2017: 2; 2019: 1; 2020: 4; 2021: 4
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10716903 · 2015-06-01 (June 1, 2015)
2015 MERCEDES SOLERA SPRINTER RV. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RV BRAKE PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED DURING A TEST DRIVE AT LO SPEEDS IN THE CITY, HE FOUND THE RV HAD A SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. IT WASN'T UNTIL AFTER HE PURCHASED THE RV THE SPONGY BRAKES WERE VERY NOTICEABLE WHEN TRYING TO STOP FROM HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10716903 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10758608 · 2015-08-22 (August 22, 2015)
THE VEHICLE IS A MERCEDES SPRINTER VAN CONVERTED BY WINNEBAGO INTO THEIR MODEL ERA RV. A PART OF THE CONVERSION IS CHANGING THE STANDARD, OUTER REAR WHEELS FROM MERCEDES AND REPLACING THEM WITH WINNEBAGO STEEL WHEELS. IN MAKING THIS CHANGE, THE VALVE STEM OF THE INNER TIRE BECOMES INACCESSIBLE TO BE ABLE TO CHECK THE TIRE PRESSURE OR TO ADD AIR TO AN UNDER INFLATED TIRE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LES SCHWAB TO HAVE BRASS VALVE STEMS PUT ON THE INNER REAR TIRES SO THEY WOULD PASS THROUGH THE WINNEBAGO REPLACEMENT WHEEL OPENINGS. AFTER TWO HOUR…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,113 miles reported. Look up ODI 10758608 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10763425 · 2015-09-13 (September 13, 2015)
THE VEHICLE HAS AUTOMATIC TURN INDICATORS WHICH ARE ACTIVATED AFTER THE WHEEL IS TURNED APPROXIMATELY 60 DEGREES AT SPEEDS BELOW 10 MPH. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE IS REGULARLY SIGNALING INCORRECT INTENTIONS TO SURROUNDING VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS WHEN MANEUVERING AT LOW SPEEDS SUCH AS IN PARKING LOTS, ON RESIDENTIAL STREETS, AND CURVED ROADWAYS APPROACHING TURNS.
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10763425 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10765225 · 2015-09-18 (September 18, 2015)
WINNEBAGO VIEW WITH MERCEDES SPRINTER CHASSIS AND CHROME REAR OUTSIDE DUAL WHEELS DOES NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE INNER DUAL TIRE TO CHECK AND CHANGE THE AIR PRESSURE. WINNEBAGO PROVIDES A RUBBER TUBE TO BE USED AS A TOOL TO REMOVE AND REINSTALL THE TIRE VALVE CAPS ON THE INNER WHEEL BUT THE ANGLE AND LENGTH OF THE INNER TIRE VALVE STEM MAKES THE JOB OF REINSTALLING THE VALVE CAP VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT REMOVAL OF THE OUTER CHROME DUAL WHEEL. AS A RESULT, MOST OWNERS CAN NOT AND WILL NOT CHECK THE TIRE PRESSURE ON THE INNER DUAL TIRE CREATI…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10765225 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 11014593 · 2017-08-11 (August 11, 2017)
WHILE DRIVING THE RV ON A HIGHWAY REFRIGERATOR CAME COMPLETELY OUT OF CABINET AND WHEN I TURNED IT FELL OUT INTO THE MIDDLE OF RV AISLE
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11014593 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 ↗
Owner report 11244907 · 2019-08-19 (August 19, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V004000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH ORLANDO (1100 RINEHART RD, SANFORD, FL 32771) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11244907 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
14V764000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V082000 · Structure:Body:Door
Reported: 2015-02-10 (February 10, 2015)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC - DBA Sprinter (Sprinter) is recalling certain model year 2015 Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2014, to October 14, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the abutting wedge, a component attached to the door jamb to make opening the door easier after a severe frontal impact, may have been installed incorrectly.
Consequence: If a vehicle that has an incorrectly installed abutting wedge is involved in a severe frontal accident, a greater force may be necessary to open the doors, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Sprinter will notify owners, and dealers will check the installation of the abutting wedge, correcting it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in March 2015. Owners may contact Sprinter customer service at 1-877-762-8267.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V261000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel
Reported: 2015-05-05 (May 5, 2015)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC - DBA Sprinter (Mercedes) is recalling certain model year 2015 Sprinter 2500 and Sprinter 3500 vehicles manufactured February 28, 2014, to January 22, 2015. 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 May 18, 2015. Owners may contact Mercedes customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Note: This recall is an expansion of 14V-764.
NHTSA campaign record ↗