2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
93/100
#2 most-complained of 15 Sprinter 3500 years
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 logs 54 NHTSA complaints and 7 recalls, giving it a complaint index of 93 — the 2nd-worst year of the 15 model years tracked. Brakes and airbags are the dominant complaint areas, with median failure mileage around 22,125 miles.
- Complaints
- 54
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes / fires
- 2 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
What owners report
- Brakes feel soft or ineffective on the first pedal application, sometimes requiring a second pump to get confident stopping power, even under 40 mph.
- Some owners report needing to tow near or over GVWR when brake softness became noticeable, suggesting the issue surfaces under load.
- Power steering has been reported to cut out unexpectedly, in one case leading to a crash.
- Rear turn signals and brake lights have failed to illuminate, with dealers unable to trace or replicate the wiring fault.
- Medical attendant seat bases in upfitted vans have cracked at the welds and separated from the floor at low speed.
- Dual rear wheel valve stems and pressure-sensor extenders have split within a few thousand miles of installation.
2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V042000Feb 3, 2021Brakes48,667 vehicles
Electronic stability control (esc):control module
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 3500 and Freightliner Sprinter 3500 vehicles upfitted into campers or recreational vehicles. The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) unit may become disabled on these vehicles.
Risk: If ESC becomes disabled, vehicle driving stability may be impacted under certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear-wheel speed sensor with a more robust sensor, free of charge. DVUSA issued owners an interim notification on March 10, 2021. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is NC3DREZAHA.
- NHTSA 19V004000Jan 8, 2019Airbags88,388 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of 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 explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 15, 2019. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.
- NHTSA 17V786000Dec 8, 2017Other550 vehicles
Equipment
Midwest Automotive Designs, LLC (Midwest) is recalling certain Custom Vans and Camper Van recreational vehicles built on 2014-2017 Mercedes Benz Sprinter chassis and 2016-2017 RAM Promaster chassis. These vehicles are equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' fire extinguishers that may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Midwest will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fire extinguisher with a different brand, free of charge. The recall began on December 11, 2017. Owners may contact Kidde customer service for their replacement extinguisher at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information.
See all 7 recalls for the 2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 →
2014 compared with other Sprinter 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Should I avoid the 2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500?
- NHTSA data ranks it 2nd-worst of 15 model years for this van, with a complaint index of 93 and a verdict of Avoid relative to other Sprinter 3500 years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2014 Sprinter 3500?
- Brakes are the top complaint area, accounting for 37% of complaints (20 of 54), including reports of soft pedal feel and long stopping distances at a median mileage of 22,000.
- Does the 2014 Sprinter 3500 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2014 Sprinter 3500, covering brakes, airbags, engine oil/chain tensioner, and other equipment; none are do-not-drive recalls.
- Were there any crashes or fires reported?
- NHTSA complaints for the 2014 Sprinter 3500 include 2 crashes and 1 fire, with 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported.
- How does 2014 compare to other Sprinter 3500 years?
- Its complaint index of 93 is worse than 2013 (57), 2012 (79), and most other years, second only to 2016's index of 100, which ranks as the worst year.