What 27 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Mercedes-benz Sprinter 3500xd Crew Van

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

NHTSA ODI 11744347

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 ODI 11632139

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 ODI 11631555

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 ODI 11540773

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 ODI 11539850

The front left wheel cover shifted and nearly sheared off the tire valve stem. Had this happened while we were on the road, the tire would have had a very fast deflate/explosion. This would have put the 24ft. RV into an uncontrollable nose-dive and possible crash situation. The nearly-sheared valve stem was discovered by technicians while we were having routine maintenance done at the authorized Mercedes dealership. They removed the tire and replaced the valve stem. We were told by the Service Manager that this usually happens to the rear dual wheels, not the front. We have had zip ties put on to keep the wheel "hubcaps" (beauty rings) on the wheels because they are notorious for flying off. There are no warning lights etc. to indicate any wheel issues. This RV (Sprinter) has been in to authorized Mercedes Sprinter dealership for regular service over the past 4 years and only this time (June 26, 2023) was the problem discovered. The Mercedes Service Dept. in Eugene is the only technicians this RV has been in contact with. They seem to be aware that this "sheering" of valve stems is a reoccurring problem with Sprinters.

NHTSA ODI 11530098

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 ODI 11529306

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 ODI 11523447

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 ODI 11430294

The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V042000 (Electronic Stability Control) however, the dealer informed the contact that the part for the recall repair 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 issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11427005

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 ODI 11426633

The contact owns a 2017 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 called the local dealer and it was confirmed 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 made aware of the issue but was unable to provide a date when parts would be available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11423787

The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated while driving at 65 MPH, the cruise control disengaged as the ABS and ESP warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle over and read the owner's manual to get information on the failure. Upon restart, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V042000 (Electronic Stability Control) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was 5,500. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11419206

The contact owns a 2017 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 local 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 of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11418374

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 ODI 11407752

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V042000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL). THE CONTACT STATED THAT MERCEDES-BENZ OF SAN JOSE SERVICE CENTER LOCATED AT 3000 E. CAPITOL EXPY SUITE A, SAN JOSE, CA 95148, (408) 214-3009) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11407764

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 ODI 11403215

OUR 2018 CLASS C TIFFIN WAYFARER IS BUILT ON THE 2017 MERCEDES SPRINTER 3500 CHASSIS. AT 17,380 MILES, WITH NO WARNING, WHILE MOVING, THE VEHICLE BEGAN BANGING, LURCHING AND SPED UP. ALL THIS OCCURRED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO GO THROUGH A CITY STREET INTERSECTION. TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM THIS ERRATIC MOTION, I IMMEDIATELY SWITCHED IT OFF AND COASTED TO THE SIDE. HAD THERE BEEN A VEHICLE OR PERSON DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME, THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT I UNFORTUNATELY WOULD HAVE HIT THEM AS THE VEHICLE SPED UP EVEN WITH BRAKES APPLIED. I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND MOVED IT OUT OF THE INTERSECTION. MULTIPLE ERROR AND WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH. WITH ONLY THREE MONTHS REMAINING ON THE WARRANTY, MERCEDES HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP WHO HAS JUST INFORMED ME THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE LEFT REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WHICH THEY REPLACED. THERE ARE FOUR OF THESE SENSORS NONE OF WHICH SHOULD HAVE FAILED WITH THIS LOW MILEAGE. WHEN WILL THE OTHER THREE FAIL? WHAT RISK OF ACCIDENT OR INJURY WILL THEIR POTENTIAL FAILURE CAUSE? THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN. APPARENTLY MERCEDES IS WELL AWARE OF THESE SENSOR FAILURES AS THE SERVICE AGENT SUGGESTED THIS AS A PROBABLE CAUSE WHEN I DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM AND REASON FOR HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED IN. I DO NOT BELIEVE MERCEDES HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL OR EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THESE WHEEL SPEED SENSORS. IN MY OPINION, MERCEDES SHOULD DEFINITELY REMEDY THESE FAILURES WITH BETTER PARTS AND WARRANTY SO AS NOT TO CAUSE RISK OF ACCIDENT OR INJURY. I ASKED FOR THE FAILED PART, BUT WAS TOLD MERCEDES HAS THE DEALER SEND THE PARTS TO THEM.*DT CONSUMER STATED REAR SENSORS AND MOISTURE BEING INVESTIGATED AND FEELS THAT IS NOT THE CAUSE. SERVICE TECH FEELS IT IS A FAULTY PART OR DESIGN. NEW REPLACEMENT SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED BUT FAILED AFTER 45 MILES. FRONT SPEED SENSORS ALSO FAILED.*JB

NHTSA ODI 11364253

RMP SENSOR FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE ANTI LOCK BRAKES, TRACTION CONTROL AND CRUISE CONTROL. PLUS FORCED VEHICLE INTO LIMP MODE SO IT WOULD BARELY MOVE TO REST AREA TO CALL FOR ASSISTANCE. I'VE BEEN TO THREE DEALERSHIPS WITH THIS ISSUE AND THEY ARE ALL VERY AWARE THAT THESE FAULTY SENSORS EXIST. THEY HAVE BEEN AND ISSUE FOR YEARS PUTTING 100S IF NOT THOUSANDS OF SPRINTER OWNERS AT EXTREME RISK WITH LOSS OF ANTI LOCK BRAKES AND TRACTION CONTROL AT THE SAME TIME. MERCEDES BENZ NEEDS TO CORRECT THIS FAULTY PART AND RECALL ALL VEHICLES AND FIX

NHTSA ODI 11362276

TRAVELING ON I-95 WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 70 MPH. SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND THREE WARNING LIGHTS (ABS, TRACTION & THE ACCELERATION SKID CONTROL / ELECTRONIC BRAKING ASSIST) CAME ON THE DASH. THE VEHICLE FELT SLUGGISH AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NO LONGER WORK. THERE ARE ONLY 21,200+ MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR MY FAMILY AND I WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE.

NHTSA ODI 11342776

I PURCHASED A 2017 RV (17,00 MI) MERCEDES BENZ CHASSIS IN DEC 2019 AND IN FEB 2020 WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM A CAMPING TRIP (55 MPH HIGHWAY) THE WARNING LIGHT COME ON AND VEHICLE WAS SURGING. I LOOKED UP THE ISSUE (WHEEL SENSOR FAILURE) AND SLOWLY DROVE HOME. GOT APP WITH MB DEALER AND REAR SENSOR REPLACEMENT MADE UNDER WARRENTRY. I TALKED WITH PREVIOUS OWNER AND WAS GIVEN THE HISTORY OF REAR WHEEL SENSOR FAILURES WITH THIS RV. BELOW IS HIS RECORD NOV 2018 (12,00 MI) BOTH REAR WHEEL SENSOR FAILURES AND REPLACED. APRIL 2019 REAR WHEEL SENSOR FAILED AND REPLACED. JULY 2019 ONE SENSOR FAILED AND REPLACED. I HAVE READ WHERE THIS HAS BEEN A CONTINUED FAILURE ISSUE WITH MB WHEEL SENSORS. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AND GET MB TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI 11322814

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

NHTSA ODI 11319376

BODY PARTS ARE FALLING OF FOR RUNNING BOARDS, PARTS HAVE FALLEN OFF ON THE HIGHWAY AND HIT OTHER VEHICLES. DEALER UNABLE TO FIND PARTS TO RESOLVE ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11292401

I HAVE A 2018 THOR SIESTA MOTOR HOME BUILT ON A MERCEDES BENZ 3500 CHASSIS. I WENT ON A 6700 MILE CROSS COUNTRY TRIP AND UPON RETURN FOUND THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE FLAT. A LOCAL SHOP DISCOVERED THAT THE RIM WAS LEAKING AIR FROM A BAD WELD SPOT/CRACK ON THE INSIDE. I REPLACED THE RIM BACK ON MAY 27, 2019. I THEN WENT ON A 1000 MILE ROUND TRIP AND THE FOLLOWING DAY I NOTICED ANOTHER FLAT TIRE THIS TIME ON THE INSIDE REAR DUAL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. MY LOCAL SHOP CONFIRMED THE SAME ISSUE WITH A WELD/CRACK ON THE INSIDE OF THE RIM ON MAY 29, 2019. I HAD TO REPLACE THAT RIM ALSO. BOTH TIMES I NOTICED THE FLAT TIRES AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE UPON RETURNING FROM LONG ROAD TRIPS. ON THE SECOND WHEEL REPLACEMENT, I WAS SHOWN WHERE THE LEAK WAS DETECTED WHICH WAS AT THE CORNER OF THE INSIDE WELD SPOT. THERE ARE 8 WELD SPOTS ON THE INSIDE OF EACH RIM. EACH TIME THERE WAS AIR LEAKING AT THE SITE OF A WELD SPOT. I CALLED MY LOCAL MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP TO INQUIRE IF THERE WAS A REPORTED ISSUE FROM THE FACTORY AND WAS TOLD NO. I THEN CALLED MY MOTOR HOME DEALERSHIP WITH THE SAME INQUIRY AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN MADE AWARE OF ANY SUCH ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11230366

THIS IS A FOLLOW-UP TO MY COMPLAINT OF AUGUST 27 2018, NHTSA NUMBER 11122749. I PREVIOUSLY REPORTED THE DATES AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF 3 WHEEL (RIMS) FAILURES DUE TO A CRACKED WELD WHERE THE TWO PIECES OF THE RIM ARE JOINED, CAUSING AIR TO LEAK AND TIRES TO DEFLATE. ON APRIL 12, 2019, I HAD ANOTHER FLAT TIRE DUE TO THE SAME REASONS AS STATED IN MY PREVIOUS REPORT, A WELD IN THE RIM THAT FAILED TO HOLD AIR. THUS FAR, FOUR OF THE SEVEN WHEELS/RIMS ON MY VEHICLE HAVE FAILED OVER AN 8 MONTH PERIOD AND 6500 MILES. DURING MOST OF THIS PERIOD THE VEHICLE WAS IN STORAGE. I DISCOVERED ALL THE PROBLEMS DURING MORNING AIR PRESSURE CHECKS AFTER DRIVING THE PREVIOUS DAY. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH DAMAGE COULD HAVE BEEN SUSTAINED TO THE TIRES WHEN THEY WERE AT 61PSI AT THE START OF ONE DAY AND AT 30PSI THE NEXT MORNING AFTER A 400 PLUS MILE DRIVING DAY. THEY WERE ALL SLOW LEAKS THAT MANIFESTED THEMSELVES AFTER A DAY OF DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN NOVEMBER, 2018. IT IS A 2018 WINNEBAGO VIEW ON A 2017 SPRINTER CHASSIS.

NHTSA ODI 11195899