What 61 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Mercedes-benz Sprinter 3500 Cargo Van

Unshielded rear-center generator exhaust pipe positioned with approx 12 in clearance above the ground, ignited the exterior of vehicle when generator operated, causing total loss. My safety as well as my pets was put at great risk due to this design and lack of shielding. The problem has not been reproduced of confirmed by dealer or independent service center, however the fact of such pipe getting hot, and nbeing related to the generator was recognized by the dealer. There were no warning lamps, warning stickers near the electronic start switch in the vehicle; no messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. The design foreseeably exposes owners to fire risk, given owners only recognize the exhaust from the rear side of the vehicle; assume if the engine is off no exhaust heats up enough to start a grass or other fire. But, the majority of owners like myself do not know of any other exhaust outside of the vehicle is present. The shocking 12 inch proximity from the ground; at the rear of a 25 ft vehicle typically parking in car spaces with an overhang of the rear behind the rear wheels or a curb is a ridiculous fire risk to all owners, and the surrounding community. This is a design flaw still inherent in that same vehicle today,

NHTSA ODI 11691967

Power steering return hose slipped off 1/2” and fluid leak. Has a recall, but not applicable to this vin. Although it appears to be effecting it? Secured line to best abilities.

NHTSA ODI 11624000

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated while driving approximately 65-70 MPH, the hood unintendedly opened, striking the windshield. The contact pulled to the side of the road and became aware that the latch screws had detached; however, the latch was still welded to the vehicle. The contact was able to clamp the hood down with a ratchet. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V665000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The contact was referred by the Insurance provider to Safelite Auto Glass to have the windshield replaced. However, due to the damage done to the roof of the vehicle, the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle had not been repaired. The dealer was contacted and informed of the failure. The dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.

NHTSA ODI 11590347

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the ABS warning light and the electronic stability control warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that the motorhome was making abnormal clunking sounds. The contact was able to continue to drive at less than 30 MPH. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that one of the wheels must have failed to patch the ground. The manufacturer advised the contact to turn the vehicle on and off three times using the ignition key for the warning lights to disappear. The contact stated that he did so and the warning lights and warning messages disappeared; however, they reappeared the next day. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH and towing his Volkswagen vehicle, the transmission disengaged and the vehicle made an abnormal clunking sound. Then the transmission reengaged and disengaged causing the vehicle to lurch forward. The contact continued to drive the vehicle. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle the failure reoccurred. The RV was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the rear axle speed sensors, knock sensors needed to be replaced, and the recall repair for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V042000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) was completed. The contact also stated that the dealer cross-fired the speed sensors which caused the computer to not allow the vehicle to drive more than 35 MPH. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that while driving at 5 MPH, the vehicle leaned on his right side and crashed into a street sign. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was not filed. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, The warning lights reappeared and the vehicle leaned and hit the curb. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was not filed. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and offered the contract to trade the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.

NHTSA ODI 11445998

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 ODI 11440985

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated that while driving, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V042000 (Electronic Stability Control) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called the local dealer who stated that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 8,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11437198

The NHTSA law requires that the recall be done on a timely manner . Mercedes benz is not doing this . The wheel sensor recall is being not being done in a timely manner by Mercedes benz. They are typically making appointments 1 month to 3 months out to do a recall that takes 40 minutes to accomplish. .They are purposely endangering sprinter RV owners by their untimely repair schedule.

NHTSA ODI 11434169

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V042000 (Electronic Stability Control) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that while driving over a railroad track at a slow speed, the vehicle independently accelerated with the ABS, check engine, and traction control warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to safely stop the vehicle and shut-off the vehicle. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer. Due to the parts for the repair not being available, the dealer decided to place a new, yet defective, speed sensor on the vehicle as a temporary repair and the contact drove the vehicle back home. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact had called three separate dealers and it was confirmed that the part would not be available until the fourth quarter of 2021. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 23,580. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11425081

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V042000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. MERCEDES-BENZ OF WILSONVILLE (25035 SW PARKWAY AVE, WILSONVILLE, OR 97070, 503-454-5000) WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11403912

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! A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER THE VEHICLE (STILL UNDER WARRANTY) WAS LOADED ONTO A FLATBED TRUCK AND HAULED 2 HOURS AWAY TO KNOXVILLE, TN; THE CLOSEST MERCEDES SPRINTER VAN SERVICE CENTER. THEY REPLACED THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. I WAS TOLD THE OTHER SENSORS MIGHT ALSO FAIL, BUT THEY COULD NOT BE REPLACED UNTIL THEY FAILED. SINCE THEN, WE HAVE HEARD FROM SEVERAL OTHER RVERS WITH MERCEDES SPRINTER CHASSIS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. FOR US, THE VEHICLE NO LONGER FEELS SAFE TO TAKE ON THE ROAD SINCE WE HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THE NEXT SENSOR WILL FAIL. (PS - I TRIED TO SUBMIT THIS FORM EARLIER, BUT ACCIDENTALLY SELECTED 'I DO NOT WISH TO RECEIVE SAFETY RECALL ALERTS' - I DO WISH TO RECEIVE THOSE ALERTS.

NHTSA ODI 11394837

WHEEL SPEED SENSORS KEEP FAILING. I HAVE HAD EIGHT SENSORS FAIL IN THREE YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ERRATICALLY, SPEED SURGES, ABS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND BRAKING IS IMPAIRED. THIS HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.

NHTSA ODI 11390889

FOR THE THIRD TIME THE ESP AND ABS SYSTEM WARNING MESSAGE IS SHOWN, AT FIRST THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE INCREASES, IN THIS CASE FROM THE SET 60 MPH TO 70, AT WHICH POINT I SHUT THE CRUISE CONTROL DOWN. FROM THEN ON FOR THE REST OF THE DAYS TRAVEL C.A.200 MILES AND FOR THE REST OF THE TRIP (450 MILES) CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE. EACH TIME IT HAPPENS A MECHANIC VISIT IS NECESSARY. THE VEHICLE IS A WINNEBAGO NAVION

NHTSA ODI 11389262

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. DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER IF I AM DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY OR CITY STREETS, WHEN THE FAILURE HAPPENS, THE VEHICLE STARTS TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY, RPMS SKYROCKET, THE DASHBOARD GETS THREE TROUBLE INDICATOR LIGHTS THAT COME ON, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I AM PICKING UP THE VEHICLE FROM THE LOCAL MERCEDES DEALER TODAY AFTER JUST HAVING ANOTHER SENSOR FAILURE. I WAS DRIVING ON I-10 WHEN THE MOST RECENT FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE, RPMS WENT VERY HIGH. VERY SCARY SITUATION. THE "WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN" DATE I'VE ENTERED IS FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE NUMEROUS TIMES.

NHTSA ODI 11387156

DRIVING ON A DRY DAY, SMOOTH ROAD, WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON 65MPH AT 7:45PM. THIS VEHICLE IS CONVERTED WITH A THOR 24HL CAMPER ON THE CHASSIS. FIVE HOURS INTO THE DAYS DRIVE THE VEHICLE FLASHED ASR/ESP TRIANGLE - AND JERKED ABRUPTLY BUT INSTANTANEOUSLY BUT REMAINED ON CRUISE CONTROL. 2 SECONDS LATER: ABS LIGHT ON, ASR/BAS LIGHT ON, ESP LIGHT ON CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED FUNCTIONING (FYI - A VERY HEAVY ACCELERATOR PEDAL SPRING MAKES DRIVING DIFFICULT, FOR HOURS ON END, WITHOUT CRUISE WORKING - ESPECIALLY FOR THE OLDER DRIVERS LIKELY TO BE DRIVING THIS RIG.) PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SET FLASHERS, AND TURNED OFF ENGINE FOR ONE MIN HOPING TO RESET THE FAULT. TURNED BACK ON - NO CHANGE OFF THEN BACK ON AND THE YELLOW CHECK ENGINE CAME ON STEADY ALONG WITH THREE PREVIOUS AUCTION LIGHTS (ABOVE) VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED (WITH THE PREVIOUS OWNER) A PREVIOUS 'WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILURE' AND IT WAS REPAIRED. . 'WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILURE' APPEAR AT EPIDEMIC LEVELS ON THE TWO RV FACEBOOK GROUPS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE 5TH KEY TURN AFTER INITIAL FAULT AND FAILURE OF CRUISE CONTROL THE THREE LIGHTS WENT OUT BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. ON APPROXIMATELY THE TENTH KEY TURN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OUT. VEHICLE RETURNED FOR SERVICE AT MERCEDES DEALERSHIP 'UNDER WARRANTY'. MY ISSUE LAYS IN THE POTENTIAL FOR THE VEHICLE TO ENTER INTO THE LIMP MODE IF ANOTHER CENSOR SHOWS A FAULT AND I'M ON THE ALASKA HIGHWAY 200 MILES FROM THE NEAREST POSSIBLE SERVICE. DEALER REFUSES TO SHARE TECH DATA CONCERNING RESET OF FAULT CONDITION OR A MERCEDES FIX FOR THIS NOW WELL KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED VEHICLE SHORTCOMING. THIS ISSUE CAN AND WILL GET PEOPLE KILLED AS THEY 'LIMP' DOWN THE HIGHWAY TO GET SERVICED OR ARE FORCED TO PULL OVER IN HEAVY TRAFFIC TO CHECK OUT WHAT MERCEDES SHOULD BE WARNING IS ALL ABOUT PROACTIVELY.

NHTSA ODI 11386418

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE OUT OF POCKET ALL FOUR BRAKE SPEED SENSORS WHILE THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. MY LOCAL MERCEDES DEALER EVENTUALLY ACKNOWLEDGED THIS, BUT WILL NOT REIMBURSE SINCE THEY DID NOT REPLACE THEM. THIS ALL HAPPENED BETWEEN 17 AND 21,000 MILES AND CREATED UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS.

NHTSA ODI 11378628

REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 30,000 MILES AND NOW BOTH FRONT WHEEL SENSORS ARE FAULTY AT 50.000 MILES. IN MY READING THIS IS A COMMONLY FAULTY PART AND IT COST $ 760.00 TO REPLACE BOTH SENSORS. FORTUNATELY THE FIRST SENSOR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED IF YOU WILL LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE. BECAUSE YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO TRADE AN RV. I WAS ON A TRIP WHEN THE INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON ON DASH AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE 7 HOURS HOMES. MY OWNERS MANUAL EXPRESSED I SHOULD SEEK TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ASAP.

NHTSA ODI 11377384

BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSORS FAILED RESULTING IN TRANSMISSION LIMITED TO 2ND GEAR AND BACK UP. VEHICLE HAS DRIVEN 9800 MILES TOTAL.

NHTSA ODI 11376973

WHEN I WENT TO TRY THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE THE FOLLOWING THINGS HAPPENED: A CLUNKING SOUND IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. NUMEROUS WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON . ABS, COLLISION AVOIDANCE, CRUISE CONTROL, CHECK ENGINE, ESC OR ESP. OVER TIME THE LIGHTS CLEARED BUT CAME BACK ON WEEKS APART. I AM A RETIRED NASA SAFETY/RELIABLY ENGINEER. IN MY OPINION ALL OF THESE LIGHTS COME ON AS A RESULT OF FAILURES OF ONE OR MORE WHEEL SPEED SENSORS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM AS WHEN THERE IS A FAILED OR INTERMITTENT OPERATION OF A FAILED SPEED SENSOR. ALL OF THESE SAFETY SYSTEMS FAIL WHEN THE ONE SENSOR FAILS. THIS FAILURE COULD OCCUR UNEXPECTEDLY AT ANY TIME. LEADING TO LOSS OF LIVES AND VEHICLE. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY WARNING LETTERS ON THIS MAJOR SAFETY FAILURE. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER MERCEDES IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. AFTER THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY MERCEDES SAYS THEY WILL CHARGE THE OWNER TO FIX IT. AT THE VERY LEAST THE ISSUE CLEARLY NECESSITATES THAT THIS ISSUE BE ELEVATED, TO CONSUMERS, AND THAT THE ISSUE BE FIXED . A WARNING THAT DESCRIBES THE ISSUE AND MERCEDES STATUS ON A FIX SHOULD GO OUT TO ALL THE APPROPRIATE PARTIES IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED PUT IN NEUTRAL THEN 4 WHEEL DRIVE WAS ENGAGED, IMMEDIATELY WHEN MOVING THERE WAS A BIG CLUNK AND THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. THEY WENT OUT THEN CAME BACK ON INTERMITTENTLY FOR MONTHS. ONE TIME THEY CAME ON JUST SITTING AT THE LIGHT. FAILURE OF MULTIPLE SAFETY SYSTEMS DUE TO A SENSOR FAILURE IS UNACCEPTABLE. I BELIEVE A DESIGN FIX IS URGENTLY NEEDED AND SHOULD BE PRESSED FOR HARD BY THE GOVERNMENT. CURRENTLY THERE IS NO FIX. AND MERCEDES IS NOT ADEQUATELY WARNING THE PUBLIC OF THE ISSUE. UNTIL I PRESSED MERCEDES HARD ON THIS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM I WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF WHAT EXACTLY THE PROBLEM WAS. THE FAILURE OF ONE SENSOR SPEED CAUSES MULTIPLE SAFETY SYSTEMS TO NOT WORK.

NHTSA ODI 11373892

THIRD-TIME SPEED SENSOR FAILED WHILE DRIVING ' ALL 3 TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SPEED UP / SLOW DOWN AND LURCH WITH THE ENGINE DOING HIGH REVS. CRUISE CONTROL BECOME INOPERABLE. ABS, FORWARD COLLISION, AND PARKING SENSORS BECOME INOPERABLE. BRAKES PERFORM ERRATICALLY FOR SEVERAL MOMENTS AND THEN ABS INDICATES IT IS INOPERABLE. VAN BECOMES HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE WHILE THE ELECTRONICS ATTEMPT TO SORT OUT WHAT IS GOING ON. VERY GLAD I WAS NOT IN CONGESTED TRAFFIC EACH TIME THIS HAPPENS AS THE VAN BECOMES UNSTABLE. M-BENZ SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE SENSOR ' THIS DOES NOT SEEM SAFE NOR VIABLE LONG TERM FIX.

NHTSA ODI 11373244

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V003000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CONTACTED TROPHY MERCEDES-BENZ OF VALENCIA (23355 VALENCIA BLVD, SANTA CLARITA, CA 91355, (661) 753-5555) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11366659

DRIVING ALONG IN CRUISE CONTROL AROUND 65 MPH ALL OF A SUDDEN CRUISE CONTROL STOPS WORKING AND VEHICLE BUCKS QUITE A BIT,VERY STARTLING.THEN I NOTICE ON DASHBOARD THE SO CALLED THREE STOOGES LIGHTS APPEAR.THIS WAS MY FIRST ENCOUNTER AROUND 18,000 MI.AUGUST 2020.PROBLEM FIXED IN CT UNDER WARRANTY. TWO MONTHS LATER DRIVING THROUGH VIRGINIA,SAME STOOGE LIGHTS APPEAR IN THE MOUNTAINS SHIFTING ERRATICALLY.CALLED M B TECH, VERY HELPFUL,DIRECTED ME TO MERCEDES BENZ OF FREDERICKSBURG VA 77 MILES AWAY.INCONVENIENCED BUT GRATEFUL WORK WAS DONE UNDER WARRANTY.I BELIEVE THIS IS A HAZARD ON THE ROADS AND SHOULD BE A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11366386

MB SPRINTER HAS FAULT THAT GENERATES INSTRUMENTS INDICATORS OF ABS, SKIDDING AND ANOTHER. BEFORE THIS OCCURRED TRANSMISSION SHIFTING BECAME ERRATIC AND WHEN BREAKING THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND ALSO MADE BRAKES UNLESS. NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED BUT WAS ALMOST OUT OF CONTROL.

NHTSA ODI 11365059

WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILURE CAUSED VEHICLE TO DISABLE CRUISE CONTROL, ABS BRAKE SYSTEM AND PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN LIMP MODE. CANNOT ACCELERATE MORE THAN 25 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. WAS TRAVELLING AT 62 MPH WHEN EVENT OCCURED. FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE!

NHTSA ODI 11362944

WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILED AT 10000 MILES (REFER TO PREVIOUS COMPLAINT), AGAIN FAILS AT 20000 MILES CAUSING ERRATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTING AND PROPULSION WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT.

NHTSA ODI 11362948

2016 MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER 3500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ACCELERATION ISSUES. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED, WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 20, THE VEHICLE LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE AND SHIFT GEARS. THE SPEED DECREASED TO LESS THAN 20 MPH. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11354676