Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 Problems by Year
NHTSA has 346 owner complaints and 91 safety recalls on file for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500, across 18 model years (2007–2024). The 2016 model year has the most complaints (62). The most reported problem area overall is air bags.
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Sprinter 3500 year: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2016 Sprinter 3500: 62 complaints, 16 recalls
- 2014 Sprinter 3500: 54 complaints, 7 recalls
- 2013 Sprinter 3500: 45 complaints, 5 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2008 Sprinter 3500: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
- 2009 Sprinter 3500: 1 complaint, 1 recall
- 2024 Sprinter 3500: 3 complaints, 3 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 71 | 12 | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 64 | 12 | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 64 | 12 | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 60 | 11 | 2 |
| Electrical System | 41 | 12 | 0 |
| Power Train | 35 | 10 | 2 |
| Wheels | 30 | 10 | 0 |
| Engine | 23 | 9 | 2 |
| Structure | 14 | 7 | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 13 | 9 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 9 | 7 | 0 |
| Steering | 8 | 7 | 0 |
| Suspension | 8 | 5 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 7 | 6 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 7 | 3 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| Tires | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| Equipment | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Seats | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Lane Departure | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Communication | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Traction Control System | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Trailer Hitches | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Sprinter 3500 | 3 | 3 | — | Fuel/propulsion System | |
| 2023 Sprinter 3500 | 17 | 6 | — | Electrical System | More complaints than other years |
| 2022 Sprinter 3500 | 8 | 6 | — | Unknown or Other | |
| 2021 Sprinter 3500 | 8 | 16 | — | Service Brakes | |
| 2020 Sprinter 3500 | 13 | 22 | — | Electrical System | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2019 Sprinter 3500 | 27 | 41 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2018 Sprinter 3500 | 9 | 10 | — | Service Brakes | |
| 2017 Sprinter 3500 | 28 | 9 | — | Electronic Stability Control (esc) | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2016 Sprinter 3500 | 62 | 16 | — | Power Train | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2015 Sprinter 3500 | 37 | 15 | — | Vehicle Speed Control | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2014 Sprinter 3500 | 54 | 7 | — | Air Bags | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2013 Sprinter 3500 | 45 | 5 | — | Air Bags | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2012 Sprinter 3500 | 21 | 4 | — | Electronic Stability Control (esc) | More complaints than other years |
| 2011 Sprinter 3500 | 8 | 4 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2010 Sprinter 3500 | 4 | 6 | — | Engine | |
| 2009 Sprinter 3500 | 1 | 1 | — | Exterior Lighting | |
| 2008 Sprinter 3500 | 1 | 0 | — | Electronic Stability Control (esc) | |
| 2007 Sprinter 3500 | 0 | 1 | — | — |
More from Mercedes-Benz: all Mercedes-Benz models · Mercedes-Benz VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2013 (45), 2014 (54), 2015 (37), 2016 (62), 2017 (28), 2019 (27) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Sprinter 3500 year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500?
Air Bags, with 71 complaints across 12 model years.
How many recalls does the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 have?
91 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.