2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 recalls & complaints

1. Airbags

What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. 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.

What could happen: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 SPRINTER 3500.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 19V004000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-877-762-8267.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

2. Airbags

What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. 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.

What could happen: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 SPRINTER 3500.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 19V003000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-877-762-8267.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

3. Electronic Stability Control (esc)

What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) unit may become disabled on these vehicles.

What could happen: If ESC becomes disabled, vehicle driving stability may be impacted under certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 SPRINTER 3500.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 21V042000 (manufacturer code NC3DREZAHA).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-877-762-8267.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

4. Steering

What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. The hydraulic power steering return line hoses may detach at their connection points under certain operating conditions, causing hydraulic fluid to leak.

What could happen: The sudden loss of power steering assist and hydraulic steering fluid leaking onto the roadway may increase the risk of a crash.

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 SPRINTER 3500.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 20V663000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-877-762-8267.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

5. Transmission / drivetrain

What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. The affected vehicles were manufactured without a driveshaft catch strap, allowing a loose driveshaft to strike the fuel tank.

What could happen: A loose driveshaft may strike and puncture the gas tank, resulting in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 SPRINTER 3500.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 17V592000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-877-762-8267.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

6. Seat belts

What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. The bolts connecting the lower seat belt connection to the rear bench seat may not have been properly tightened.

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

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 SPRINTER 3500.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 16V670000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-877-762-8267.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

7. Equipment

What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the vehicle. The unloaded vehicle weight (UVW) label on these incomplete vehicles may be incorrect.

What could happen: 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.

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 SPRINTER 3500.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 18V113000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-877-762-8267.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

8. Body / structure

What's wrong, in plain English: Body panels, frame, doors, hood, trunk or latches. The affected vehicles are configured to have super-high roofs, but may not be equipped with the required crash pads.

What could happen: If the required crash pads are missing, it can increase the risk of injury to a front passenger seat occupant if they are unbelted.

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 SPRINTER 3500.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 16V351000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-877-762-8267.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

9. Seat belts

What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. 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."

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

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 SPRINTER 3500.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 16V853000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-574-522-4878.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

10. Equipment

What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the vehicle. 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."

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

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 SPRINTER 3500.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 17V650000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-877-762-8267.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

11. Equipment

What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the vehicle. 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 ful…

What could happen: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

The fix: 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…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 SPRINTER 3500.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 17V786000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-855-262-3540.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

12. Transmission / drivetrain

What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. The bracket for the center support bearing of the drive shaft may not have been properly welded.

What could happen: 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.

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 SPRINTER 3500.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 17V149000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-877-762-8267.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

13. Equipment

What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the vehicle. The affected vehicles have a tire pressure label that incorrectly states a higher maximum load capacity than the vehicle is designed for.

What could happen: 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.

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 SPRINTER 3500.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 16V093000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-877-762-8267.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

14. Body / structure

What's wrong, in plain English: Body panels, frame, doors, hood, trunk or latches. 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.

What could happen: If the windows separate from the vehicle in a crash, the occupants are at a greater risk of injury.

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 SPRINTER 3500.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 16V261000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-770-705-2070.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

15. Equipment

What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the vehicle. The affected vehicles have tire labels on the B-pillar that list a tire pressure that is too low.

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

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 SPRINTER 3500.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 17V364000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-877-762-8267.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

16. Airbags

What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. 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.

What could happen: If additional air bags do not deploy as intended, the occupants are at an increased risk of injury.

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 SPRINTER 3500.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 17V093000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-877-762-8267.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Most complained-about parts: Brakes (14), Transmission / drivetrain (14), Electronic Stability Control (esc) (12), Airbags (12), Vehicle Speed Control (10).

Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.