Home · 2016 Mercedes-benz Sprinter 2500 Crew Van (swb) · Complaints

What 27 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Mercedes-benz Sprinter 2500 Crew Van (swb)

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (27)Crash / fire / injury (1)Airbags (9)Speed control (5)Brakes (3)Electrical system (3)Engine (3)Seat belts (3)Steering (3)Body & structure (2)Wheels (2)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (1)

5 of 27 complaints match · Speed control · clear filters

Nov 15, 2021Speed controlBrakes

There is a known issue and recall for wheel speed sensors on Mercedes Sprinter 3500 models. However, this same issue applied to 2500 models also. Along with other RV owners, I have just experienced this problem. I was in city traffic when all the sudden multiple warning lights came on: "ESP, visit workshop", "Brake force distribution, visit workshop", ABS warning light, ESP, warning light, collision prevention malfunction warning light, check engine light with fault code U0416. The presence of all these errors, beeping, red messages sounds extremely scary to any driver. The fact that it says brake force distribution isn't working properly suggests a hazardous condition that could lead to a crash if brakes are not working properly. Since this is being caused by a failing wheel speed sensor, these should all be replaced and the recall expanded to include other models like mine.

NHTSA ODI 11440448

Jul 15, 2021Service Brakes, AirSpeed control

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz 2500. The contact stated while driving 21 mph, the vehicle independently accelerated when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact was not able to control the vehicle however, the contact was able to shift the vehicle into neutral to stop the vehicle. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer nor an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was relating the failure to faulty wheel speed sensors. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,600.

NHTSA ODI 11424928

Nov 22, 2020Speed controlWheelsBrakes

THE WHEEL SENSORS ON THIS VEHICLE ROUTINELY FAIL. WHEN THEY FAIL AT HIGH SPEEDS(FREEWAY DRIVING) THE CRUISE CONTROL, ABS, STABILITY CONTROL, 4WD IS NO LONGER FUNCTIONAL. IF IT FAILS AT START UP, ALL THE SAME SYSTEMS ARE EFFECTED IN ADDITION YOU CANNOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE OVER 30MPH, IT WILL ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN, IT WILL SURGE ALSO. THIS HAS HAPPENED EVERY YEAR I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. SOMETIMES TWICE A YEAR. EACH WHEEL SENSOR HAS FAILED, SOME TWICE.

NHTSA ODI 11375781

Aug 20, 2020Speed control

MY 2016 2500 SPRINTER CONTINUES TO HAVE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILURES EVERY 2K-3K MILES. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE TRANSMISSION ACTS ERRATICALLY, ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM STARTS TO ENGAGE AND DISENGAGE SPORADICALLY AND THE VAN SOMETIME ACCELERATES AND PREVENTS STOPPING. THIS CREATES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY WHEN IN THE RAIN OR EVEN HEAVY TRAFFIC. EVNTUALLY ONCE THE SYSTEM DETECTS THE FAILURE IT LIGHTS UP THREE LIGHT ON THE DASH AND DISABLES THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, ESP, AND TRACTION CONTROL. THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUES TO SHIFT ERRATICALLY AT TIMES EVEN AFTER LIGHTS COME ON.

NHTSA ODI 11350382

Mar 10, 2019Electrical systemSpeed controlEngine

07/20/2016 BUY DAY NEW VAN AT SUN MOTORS BENZ DIALER MECHANICSBURG PA-PRICE 47K 09/20/2016 PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION 02/07/2019 PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION AND DPF/DOC CAT (VAN IS TOTALLY DEMERGE AFTER ONLY TWO YEARS)

NHTSA ODI 11185627

Working with the data? Download all 27 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 14, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2016 Mercedes-benz Sprinter 2500 Crew Van (swb) verdict →