2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 most often report Takata air bag inflator recall repairs that stayed open because replacement parts were not available. Wheel speed sensor failures that switch off ABS, traction, and stability systems while driving are also common, along with soft brake pedal feel and engine or emissions warnings. Sensor warnings tend to appear suddenly while driving, while recall complaints describe long waits for parts.

1. 1
   Air bags

   Takata air bag recall repairs delayed by missing parts

   • 23 complaints (42%)
   • median 21,500 mi at 5.1 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2016–2021

   Owners describe air bag inflator recall repairs that stayed open for a long time because the replacement part was not available. In some cases a letter said parts were available, but the dealer later said they were not, and owners say the manufacturer gave no date for the repair. A complaint says the owner was told not to drive the vehicle, and another says recall notices kept arriving after the work was done. Owners also say they worry about the inflator in a crash. Where mileage is given, reports fall between about 10,000 and 27,800 miles, and the remedy is often described as still pending.

   Recall 16V077000Recall 19V0040001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask the dealer to confirm in writing whether Takata inflator recall 16V077000 has been completed on this vehicle, since complaints describe it as still open. If it is still open, ask for the parts date in writing.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata recall not about an accident. I received a letter from mercedes benz dated january 2018 saying that remedy parts are now available for your vehicle to replace the driver's side takata airbag. But when I called my dealer (berglund mercedes benz in roanoke, va, I was told they cannot get enough of them from whoever is supposed to supply them, and the service manager could not say when they will be available. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11085115, filed 2018-04

   “My motor home has been on recall for years and mercedes dealership still doesn't have parts. I live in south florida which makes me a high risk for injury”

   NHTSA complaint #11048016, filed 2017-11
2. 2
   Electronic stability control

   Wheel speed sensor failures and ABS warning lights

   • 21 complaints (38%)
   • median 23,000 mi at 5.8 yrs old (19 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $600 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2018–2023

   Owners describe a wheel speed sensor failing while driving, which turns on the ABS, traction, and stability warning lights and can switch off those systems. Some describe cruise control dropping out, a sudden downshift, or the vehicle surging, and another describes unexpected acceleration from a stop. Some complaints say the sensor was replaced and the warnings returned, and a dealer could not duplicate the failure during diagnosis. Where mileage is given, reports range from about 8,450 to 46,000 miles, and most describe the warning lights coming on while driving.

   Recall 21V042000

   What to check: On a test drive, check for ABS, traction, and stability warning lights at speed, and confirm the cruise control works normally. Ask the dealer whether the wheel speed sensors have been replaced on this vehicle and whether recall 21V042000 has been completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Problem with speed sensors . I have replaced the speed sensor on my vehicle on four different occasions. This seems to be a reoccurring problem that needs to be addressed before someone gets seriously injured. Mercedes benz seems to be doing nothings to rectify this problem. Please be concerned that the public needs your help with this as soon as possible.”

   NHTSA complaint #11308318, filed 2020-02, 20,000 miles

   “On: city street, in stop and go traffic. Upon pulling off from a dead stop, the vehicle began jerking, then accelerating uncontrollably. I could not slow the vehicle with the brakes. If I had not moved the gear selector to neutral, I would have hit the car in front of me. Abs, anti-skid, and traction warning lights came on, and I barely had enough power to pull off to a safe place. After sitting a few minutes, I was able to drive the vehicle safely to the dealer. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11164250, filed 2018-12, 36,878 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Engine warnings, limp mode, and smog test failures

   • 8 complaints (15%)
   • median 25,000 mi at 2.4 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2015–2026

   Owners describe warning messages from the diesel exhaust fluid system that limited the number of engine starts remaining. A complaint describes a check engine light with codes piling up, followed by limp mode on the highway after an exhaust recall repair. Another describes a front exhaust pipe with the catalytic converter failing while driving, and the exhaust burned nearby wiring and fuel lines. Other reports describe a stall with the check engine light on that recurred, and a California smog test that would not clear the emissions monitor. Where mileage is given, reports range from about 1,100 to 181,810 miles, with no clear pattern.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the exhaust recall and any diesel exhaust fluid or emissions repairs were completed, and scan the vehicle for stored codes. Before purchase, have the emissions readiness monitors checked, since complaints describe smog test failures.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “At approximately 11,600 vehicle miles the def warning message came on stating that there were only 10 remaining starts left on the vehicle. Previous message prior to this was to check the def system level. Def had been added for the previous 2500 miles every 500 miles to maintain a full tank. Since I was in wyoming there were no mercedes dealers available to troubleshoot the warning messages. After the limiting start message I contacted the nearest mercedes dealer in farmington, utah for an emergency appointment the following day. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11354416, filed 2020-09, 11,600 miles

   “THE FOLLOWING HAS BEEN SENT TO MERCEDES CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE All of the following has started happening since an exhaust recall was done by Mercedes. In September 2022, we were driving cross country to Denver Colorado and enough codes piled up in the background that we went into limp mode in the middle of 70 MPH highway traffic. This happened without warning and was an extreme safety concern. But I was lucky to be near an exit and already in the right lane. I reset these codes and finished going to Denver the next day. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11505086, filed 2023-02
4. 4
   Brakes

   Soft or spongy brakes and recurring ABS warning light

   • 10 complaints (18%)
   • median 25,125 mi at 5.1 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • filed 2015–2021

   Owners describe the brake pedal feeling soft or spongy, with the pedal reaching close to the floor or needing a second press before the brakes feel confident. A dealer reportedly could not find a fault and flushed the brake fluid, but the feel did not change. Another complaint describes the ABS warning light coming on repeatedly, resetting after short stops, and returning after short distances. Dealers reportedly were unable to diagnose or remedy the soft pedal in some cases. Where mileage is given, reports range from about 1,200 to 30,000 miles, and the soft feel is described as present every time the brakes are used.

   What to check: On a test drive, press the brake pedal from a moving start and check for a firm pedal that does not sink toward the floor, and watch for any ABS warning light. Ask for the brake and ABS repair history, including any wheel speed sensor replacements, before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10765196, filed 2015-09, 3,500 miles

   “Abs brake safety issue with 2014 mercedes SPRINTER 3500. Just completed 5,000 mile trip where the ABS warning light came on less than 200 miles after starting the trip. The ABS warning came on every day of driving after 5 to 100 miles and would reset after short stops with engine turned off for 30 minutes or less and the ABS light would go off but came back on after short distance. If the vehicle sat over night the ABS light would stay off from 5 to 100 miles the next day before coming back on. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11141273, filed 2018-10, 30,000 miles

Buying note. Check whether the Takata air bag recall has been completed for the specific vehicle, since complaints describe repairs waiting on parts. Test drive for warning lights, cruise control behavior, and brake pedal firmness, and ask for the wheel speed sensor and ABS repair history before buying.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 51 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.