2011 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
7/100
#14 most-complained of 15 Sprinter 3500 years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2011 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 ranks 14th out of 15 model years, with a complaint index of 7 and only 8 complaints logged, making it one of the best years for this model. It carries 4 recalls, mostly tied to Takata airbags.
- Complaints
- 8
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2011 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags4 (50%)
- Seat Belts2 (25%)
- Electrical System1 (13%)
- Engine1 (13%)
- Other1 (13%)
What owners report
- Owners report repeated EGR valve failures that push the engine into limp mode, cutting speed to 20 mph on the highway.
- Multiple owners describe long delays getting Takata airbag recall parts, with dealers unable to give a repair date.
- One owner reports the SRS warning light illuminating intermittently due to defective wiring in the front driver-side seat belt buckle, at 49,587 miles.
- Another owner reports the SRS warning light staying on for nearly two years despite the seat belt buckle functioning normally, discovered at 49,857 miles.
- Owners referred to Freightliner instead of Mercedes-Benz dealers when trying to schedule the airbag recall repair on the shared chassis.
2011 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 17V479000Jul 28, 2017Airbags20,665 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2010-2011 Freightliner and Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled into 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 rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag, free of charge. The began on January 12, 2018. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-379.
- NHTSA 16V077000Feb 10, 2016Airbags136,361 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (Daimler Vans) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Dodge Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2006, to July 31, 2008, 2007-2014 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2006, to July 1, 2014, and 2010-2014 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2010, to July 1, 2014. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Daimler Vans will notify the Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner owners and Fiat Chrysler will notify the Dodge owners. The respective dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2017. Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner owners may contact Daimler Van's customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Dodge owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
- NHTSA 14V706000Nov 5, 2014Other34 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply (Cummings) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, E-350, Chevrolet Express, 2006-2008 Dodge Sprinter, and 2009-2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2013 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured January 1, 2006, to October 8, 2014, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation after January 1, 2006. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
Risk: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.
Remedy: Cummings will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2015. Owners may contact Cumming's customer service at 1-800-639-5438 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Cumming's number for this recall is 14E-041.
See all 4 recalls for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 →
2011 compared with other Sprinter 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 Sprinter 3500 ranks 14th out of 15 model years with a complaint index of just 7 and a 'Best' verdict relative to other years of this model.
- What are the main problems with the 2011 Sprinter 3500?
- NHTSA data shows airbags account for 50% of complaints and seat belts 25%, with electrical system and engine issues each at 13%. The engine complaint involved repeated EGR valve failures.
- Does the 2011 Sprinter 3500 have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2011 Sprinter 3500, covering Takata airbags (two separate campaigns), a seat belt assembly issue, and a wheelchair lift platform support issue.
- How does the 2011 Sprinter 3500 compare to other years?
- With a complaint index of 7, the 2011 model is far below years like 2016 (complaint index 100, Avoid) and 2014 (complaint index 93, Avoid), making 2011 one of the better years to choose.