2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 most often describe wheel speed sensor failures that switch on stability, ABS and traction warnings and can bring erratic shifting or limited-speed operation. Recall repairs waiting on parts or appointments come up often, including airbag and stability control recalls, along with sudden surges or power loss, transmission shifting faults, and brake complaints. Many complaints that give mileage fall between about 8,000 and 25,000 miles, while several describe vehicles with under 8,000 miles.

1. 1
   Electronic stability control

   Wheel speed sensor failures trigger stability warnings

   • 23 complaints (37%)
   • median 18,000 mi at 4.7 yrs old (22 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2022

   Owners describe one or more wheel speed sensors failing, which they say switched on ABS, stability and traction warnings and sometimes disabled cruise control. Complaints describe the transmission staying in one gear, shifting erratically, or entering a limited mode that restricts speed. Several owners say sensors were replaced more than once, that some repairs were paid out of pocket, and that not every dealer could perform the service. Where mileage is given, reports range from about 3,000 to 50,000 miles, and most fall between about 8,000 and 25,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask for the repair history and whether each wheel speed sensor was replaced under warranty, and check for stored ABS or stability fault codes with a scan. On a test drive, watch the dashboard for ABS, stability or traction lights and note whether cruise control stays available.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driving along on cruise control. Cruise control deactivates, anti-lock, traction control and anti-skid lights come on. I stop the vehicle, the transmission wanders between gears jerking. I go to mb dealership they replace r rear speed sensor mileage:9659miles. At 12,060 miles the same thing happens. I drivea five hour round trip to mb dealer, they replace the l rear speed sensor. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11331427, filed 2020-06, 9,659 miles

   “I own an rv on a mercedes 3500 sprinter chasis. I have experienced numerous failures that cause the rv to speed up rapidly and I have to take emergency action to avoid an accident. Usually, I shift into neutral to disengage the transmission. I have ~43,000 miles on my rv and I have experienced this issue and mercedes has replaced the wheel sensors 6 different times. All maintenance performed on the vehicle has been provided by a mercedes dealer service center. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11387156, filed 2021-01, 43,000 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Recall repairs waiting on parts or appointments

   • 23 complaints (37%)
   • median 18,881 mi at 4.4 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2024

   Owners describe airbag, stability control and tail light recall notices where the dealer could not complete the repair because parts were not available or no date was given. Some say they waited many months, and some were unable to sell the vehicle while the recall remained open. Others describe appointments that were weeks or months away, a dealer that had parts in stock but still listed the repair as pending, and a case where the vehicle was left out of a recall through an error. Where mileage is given, these reports range from about 8,000 to 25,000 miles, and many do not state mileage.

   Recall 21V042000Recall 19V003000Recall 19V0040002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask the dealer whether any airbag or stability control recall repair is still open for the vehicle, and check the recall status using the vehicle identification number on the NHTSA recall lookup. Ask for a parts date in writing and keep records of any promised repair dates.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have received notices of 2 airbag recalls on this vehicle. One for driver side, one for passenger side. Dealer tells me he has all parts in stock for both repairs, but passenger side airbag is listed on his records as pending. Therefore, he cannot proceed with that repair, as he will not be reimbursed. Is the passenger airbag in this vehicle in fact subject to recall? If so, why is it that it cannot be repaired a full seven months after I received a recall notice in march, 2019 when the dealer has the parts? …”

   NHTSA complaint #11281785, filed 2019-11

   “This recall goes back to march 2019. I need to sell this vehicle and I can't sell it with the recall not performed. When will the parts be available for the recall?”

   NHTSA complaint #11289709, filed 2019-12
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Erratic or jerky transmission shifting

   • 17 complaints (27%)
   • median 12,750 mi at 4.8 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2022

   Owners describe erratic, jerky or violent shifting, with the transmission sometimes stuck in one gear, dropping out of drive, or refusing to engage. Some report a bang from the drivetrain after a turn, and another describes a shifter that would not move into park or reverse. Some owners say the shifting problem came back after a repair, and some dealers could not duplicate the failure. Where mileage is given, these reports range from about 5,000 to 34,500 miles, and most are under 15,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask whether any transmission software or control unit work was recorded and whether any shifting fault was linked to a wheel sensor repair. On a test drive, check for smooth shifts between park, reverse and drive, and for any jerks at low speed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On february 14, 2019, we were driving our 2016 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 3500 rv in heavy traffic during a rainstorm in spring hill, florida. Multiple dash warning lights came on indicating the vehicle ABS braking system had failed. The vehicle began shifting very erratically while we were in traffic. The vehicle eventually would not shift out of first gear which placed us in a very dangerous situation as we tried to get out of the traffic stream and find a safe place to park the vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11232230, filed 2019-07, 34,500 miles

   “7-9-2018: pulling out of my driveway with a 2018 thor chateau 24fs (with a 2016 SPRINTER 3500 diesel chassis) with less than 9k miles, I had a bang from the transmission. In hindsight, this was just after a right turn. About 300 miles later after a stop light and 90 degree right turn, the transmission started trying to shift back and forth between 2 and and 3 (or maybe 1st and 2nd) in somewhat violent rapid alternation. I stopped and restarted the rv. Ran fine. About 75 miles later after a right turn, same thing. Stopped & restarted. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11124129, filed 2018-09, 9,000 miles
4. 4
   Vehicle speed control

   Sudden surges or sudden loss of power

   • 16 complaints (26%)
   • median 18,000 mi at 5.0 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe the vehicle accelerating or surging on its own, including while stationary, or after driving over a railroad track at low speed. Some say the brake pedal did not slow the vehicle while it was accelerating, and others describe a sudden loss of power, with the vehicle slowing sharply or unable to accelerate or shift gears on the highway. Several of these complaints also mention a wheel speed sensor or stability control warning at the same time. Where mileage is given, these reports range from about 8,500 to 43,000 miles, and some do not state mileage.

   What to check: Ask whether any unintended acceleration or power loss was recorded and whether a wheel speed sensor or stability control fault was found. On a test drive, check that acceleration and braking respond normally at low speed and that the car does not surge when stopped.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “trucks cut speed limit 65 to 10 normal highway i do understood %35 degrees slow down but its only %2 degrees uprise there is no power at engine rpm is shows less then 1 rpm and even if press the gas pedal all the way the truck does not accelerate like truck is lock right there very dangers any one drive back of me they are not accept that much speed change they are in dangers scarr to drive truck be couse same one get git back of truck and can get kill”

   NHTSA complaint #11440985, filed 2021-11

   “Rear wheel speed sensor failure. Can cause vehicle to surge uncommanded. Vehicle enters limited or limp mode. Some features / functions are disabled. While stationary vehicle attempted to accelerate (surge) in spite of driver brake application. Vehicle has had this failure two times once for each rear wheel sensor failure.”

   NHTSA complaint #11196530, filed 2019-04, 8,500 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brakes that need pumping or feel unresponsive

   Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe brake pedals with excessive travel that must be pumped, a rear brake line that failed and lost fluid after a hard stop, and brakes that did not slow the vehicle while it kept accelerating or moving. Some complaints link brake problems to smoke from the engine compartment or to ABS and stability warning lights at the same time. Where mileage is given, these reports range from about 500 to about 18,800 miles.

   What to check: Ask whether brake line, pedal and ABS inspections were recorded, and whether the brake fluid level and any leaks were checked. On a test drive, press the brake pedal firmly at low speed and confirm that it feels firm and stops the vehicle without repeated pumping.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving on a mountain road the vehicle began to send fire, smoke and steam from the motor compartment under the dash board and over the wind shield, causing the motor to stop running and subsequently causing the brakes to fail sending my wife and I down a winding mountain and ultimately resulting in a near fatal crash into a mountain retaining wall. The vehicle was completely destroyed. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11079855, filed 2018-03, 4,500 miles

   “On september 30, 2019, I was driving downhill on a mountain road when our rv, a 25' ltv unity on a mercedes SPRINTER 3500 chassis, suddenly lurched and felt out of control. The breaks and steering were unresponsive, and I was pumping the breaks, hard! After about 10 minutes of struggling to control the vehicle around a curvey downhill road, control was restored. Luckily, I was going slow enough that no accident resulted, but it really shook me! …”

   NHTSA complaint #11394837, filed 2021-02, 17,300 miles

Buying note. Buyers considering this model year should ask for service records showing wheel speed sensor and recall repairs, and check recall status using the vehicle identification number. A test drive that includes stop-and-go traffic and a look at the dashboard warning lights can show whether the sensor, shifting, or braking concerns described here are present.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 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.