RoadVitals

2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
27
Latest Jun 15, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
11
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Other / unspecified617.1%
  • Brakes514.3%
  • Fuel system38.6%
  • Electrical38.6%
  • Body & structure38.6%
  • Airbags25.7%
  • Tires & wheels12.9%
  • Engine12.9%
  • Powertrain (other)12.9%
  • Steering12.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The ESP and ABS warning lights went on suddenly after what sounded like a thud. The car had not run over anything. There was some initial brief chattering of the break pedal, and that subsided. The car was not near a suitable and available repair shop at the time. It was driven to complete a trip. There were several instances of break pedal chattering that led concern about the controllability of the vehicle. During the trip, it was taken to a brake shop, and the technicians felt it was likely safe to drive. Eventually after the servicing dealer first replaced the front speed sensors, the ESP unit was found to be shorted. This event is of concern because the speed sensors on the rear have been replaced on recall and the front speed sensors have been granted an extended warrantee. Both feed into the ESP unit that failed. It seems possible the previously suspect parts may have damaged the ESP unit. There appears to be a safety issue with faulty break performance in this situation. The vehicle only had about 13,000 miles on the odometer. at the time of the event. Service an repair records are available upon request

NHTSA ID 11539850 · filed Aug 21, 2023

I'm getting wheel sensor errors and the vehicle goes into limp mode and disables the cruise control, even after replacing the sensors. Very frustrated with this dangerous situation!

NHTSA ID 11529306 · filed Jun 28, 2023
All 9 reports naming driver assistance

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact's parents own a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated that his parents had experienced multiple flat tire failures with various tires on the vehicle. An independent mechanic discovered that there were multiple cracks on three of the rims on the vehicle. Due to that discovery, his parents had all six tires and rims replaced on the vehicle. Recently, the contact discovered that the driver’s side inner tire had blown out after parking the RV. The contact called for emergency assistance and had the tire replaced. On a separate occasion, the contact noticed after parking the vehicle, the rear passenger’s side outer tire was flat. The contact again called for emergency assistance and while the tire was being replaced, it was discovered that the sidewalls had all fallen apart inside the tire. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact believed that the cause of the tire failures was related to the rims on the vehicle. Neither the manufacturer nor the dealer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 8,100.

NHTSA ID 11426633 · filed Jul 27, 2021

WE ARRIVED HOME AFTER A SHORT TRIP, PARKED THE VEHICLE AND DIDN'T SEE IT UNTIL THE NEXT MORNING. WE THEN FOUND THAT BOTH LEFT REAR TIRES WERE FLAT. AIRED THEM UP AND DROVE TO DISCOUNT TIRE WHERE WE WERE INFORMED THAT BOTH RIMS WERE CRACKED AT THE EXACT SAME WELD. THE TIRES WERE IN PERFECT CONDITION: NO BLESS, BUBBLES, OR MARKS. MERCEDES BENZ REFUSED TO WARRANTY OR REPLACE THE RIMS. WE NOW SEE THERE IS A RECALL PENDING ON AN ESP FOR THE REAR TIRES - WE BELIEVE THAT ARE CONNECTED ISSUES.

NHTSA ID 11403215 · filed Mar 16, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The ESP and ABS warning lights went on suddenly after what sounded like a thud. The car had not run over anything. There was some initial brief chattering of the break pedal, and that subsided. The car was not near a suitable and available repair shop at the time. It was driven to complete a trip. There were several instances of break pedal chattering that led concern about the controllability of the vehicle. During the trip, it was taken to a brake shop, and the technicians felt it was likely safe to drive. Eventually after the servicing dealer first replaced the front speed sensors, the ESP unit was found to be shorted. This event is of concern because the speed sensors on the rear have been replaced on recall and the front speed sensors have been granted an extended warrantee. Both feed into the ESP unit that failed. It seems possible the previously suspect parts may have damaged the ESP unit. There appears to be a safety issue with faulty break performance in this situation. The vehicle only had about 13,000 miles on the odometer. at the time of the event. Service an repair records are available upon request

NHTSA ID 11539850 · filed Aug 21, 2023

I'm getting wheel sensor errors and the vehicle goes into limp mode and disables the cruise control, even after replacing the sensors. Very frustrated with this dangerous situation!

NHTSA ID 11529306 · filed Jun 28, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz M3CA76 Sprinter 3500. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the diesel purifier, Diesel Exhaust Fluid, DEF system, warning illuminated. The contact stated that the failure of the DEF system had occurred before the recent failure. The contact stated that the first failure had occurred several years ago. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the DEF system again needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 325,000.

NHTSA ID 11632139 · filed Dec 23, 2024

The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes- Benz Sprinter 350. The contact stated that while driving at various highway speeds the warning message "DEF Is Low" had suddenly displayed and the vehicle went into "Limp Mode" causing the speed to suddenly reduce to 5 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the DEF tank was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 44,000.

NHTSA ID 11631555 · filed Dec 19, 2024

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The vehicle has swivel seats. When the driver’s seat swivel, it’s severed the wires, the control the SRS system.

NHTSA ID 11744347 · filed Jun 15, 2026

WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILURE. ABS, TRACTION CONTROL SIT DOWN UNTIL REPLACED SENSOR.

NHTSA ID 11319376 · filed Mar 26, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, he had to brake abruptly, due to an animal crossing the roadway. Then he heard a loud sound coming from underneath the vehicle, when he took his foot off the brake. . The contact pulled over to the side of the road and saw the water tank had fallen to the ground. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the water tank was firmly re-attached to the RV. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but has to date denied responsibility for inadequately attaching the water tank to its RVs. The failure mileage was 49,500.

NHTSA ID 11540773 · filed Aug 25, 2023

SIDE ENTRY DOOR OPENED TWICE WHILE DRIVING. 1ST WE THOUGHT WE DIDN'T CLOSE IT RIGHT, BUT I CHECKED AND DOOR HAD LOCKS ENGAGED. THE 2ND TIME THAT DOOR OPENED UP, I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED AND ENGAGED ALL LOCKS ON DOOR AND THEN PUSHED IT A BIT AND TO MY SURPRISE THE DOOR OPENED UP! IT TURNS OUT THE SCREWS WERE LOSE SO THE LOCKS WERE NOT ENGAGING. SO I TIGHTENED THEM UP WITH THE DRILL AND PROBLEM SOLVED. THIS IS AN RV AND IT IS DRIVEN MANY MILES AND ON BUMPY ROADS SO THE SCREWS WILL LOOSEN UP CAUSING THE DEADBOLT LOCKS NOT TO ENGAGE PROPERLY. 2ND ISSUE, HOLES UNDERNEATH BED DESIGNED TO ALLOW SLIDEOUT ROLLERS TO EXTEND BED IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS GAS FUMES ENTER THE RV.*DT

NHTSA ID 11407752 · filed Apr 12, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The vehicle has swivel seats. When the driver’s seat swivel, it’s severed the wires, the control the SRS system.

NHTSA ID 11744347 · filed Jun 15, 2026

THE RECALL HAS BEEN EFFECT SINCE 2013. AND YOUR NOTIFING MY NOW IN 2019 !?! WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE!!

NHTSA ID 11191008 · filed Mar 22, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated that on two separate occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle started shaking and the contact heard a loud sound coming from the vehicle. The contact veered off the roadway and noticed that the hub cap had detached from the wheel. The contact stated that he was not aware that the inside tire had deflated. The contact then stated that he removed the hubcap from the road and continued driving to the nearest tire shop where it was diagnosed that rear driver’s side inside tire was deflated and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that on another occasion the vehicle was taken to the dealer for service, where the two rear passenger’s side tires were rotated, and the contact retrieved the vehicle however, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to operate as needed. The contact pulled over to the nearest service station where it was inspected and the contact was informed that the two rear passenger’s side valve stem were entangled in the hub caps and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000.

NHTSA ID 11523447 · filed May 23, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

SPRINTER COMPLETELY LOST ELECTRICAL POWER, ENGINE AND DRIVE TRAIN PROPULSION. THE TACH AND SPEEDOMETER FROZE IN PLACE AT 2500 RPM AND 15MPH. 60 SECONDS PASSED AND THE DASH LIGHTS BLINKED AND THEN ALLOWED ME TO RESTART VEHICLE. IT WAS LIKE THE SYSTEM RE-BOOTED ITSELF. LUCKILY I WAS NOT AT SPEED OR IN A DRIVING LANE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I HAD JUST FILLED THE TANK WITH DIESEL, MY DEF WAS AT 80% FULL AND I WAS DEPARTING THE SERVICE STATION. I WAS ABLE TO START VEHICLE AND RETURN HOME, 10 MILES. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AT HOME THE STARTER MADE A GRINDING NOISE AND THE MB DEALERSHIP HAS HEARD THE SAME NOISE. CALLLED MERCEDES SPRINTER HOTLINE AND GOT THE SPRINTER TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *DT CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER FOR THE SERVICE CALL.*JB

NHTSA ID 11185622 · filed Mar 10, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

SPRINTER COMPLETELY LOST ELECTRICAL POWER, ENGINE AND DRIVE TRAIN PROPULSION. THE TACH AND SPEEDOMETER FROZE IN PLACE AT 2500 RPM AND 15MPH. 60 SECONDS PASSED AND THE DASH LIGHTS BLINKED AND THEN ALLOWED ME TO RESTART VEHICLE. IT WAS LIKE THE SYSTEM RE-BOOTED ITSELF. LUCKILY I WAS NOT AT SPEED OR IN A DRIVING LANE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I HAD JUST FILLED THE TANK WITH DIESEL, MY DEF WAS AT 80% FULL AND I WAS DEPARTING THE SERVICE STATION. I WAS ABLE TO START VEHICLE AND RETURN HOME, 10 MILES. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AT HOME THE STARTER MADE A GRINDING NOISE AND THE MB DEALERSHIP HAS HEARD THE SAME NOISE. CALLLED MERCEDES SPRINTER HOTLINE AND GOT THE SPRINTER TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *DT CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER FOR THE SERVICE CALL.*JB

NHTSA ID 11185622 · filed Mar 10, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V663000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID 11430294 · filed Aug 24, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .