2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2016 Sprinter 3500 ranks worst of 18 model years with a complaint index of 100 and 62 complaints. Brakes are the top problem area (34% of complaints, median 17,500 miles), backed by 16 recall campaigns covering brakes, steering, airbags, and a driveshaft strap defect.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 18 Sprinter 3500 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 62
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 16
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Brakes
Top 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes21 (34%)
- Engine14 (23%)
- Transmission & Powertrain14 (23%)
- Airbags12 (19%)
- Electrical System10 (16%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (13%)
- Other3 (5%)
- Structure & Body3 (5%)
- Fuel System2 (3%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brake pedal has excessive free-play travel before the brakes engage, delaying stops in emergencies.
- A rear passenger brake line failed during hard braking, pushing fluid out of the lines when the driver pumped the brakes.
- Airbags failed to deploy in a low-speed crash with another vehicle.
- Tail lights failed to illuminate while owners waited for recall parts under campaign 16V465000.
- An unshielded generator exhaust pipe ignited the exterior of the van during operation.
- Rust and corrosion appeared on the rear bumper and underbody, with unsealed weather caulking allowing water leaks.
2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 recalls
16 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 20V663000Oct 28, 2020Steering47,667 vehicles
Steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Mercedes Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The hydraulic power steering return line hoses may detach at their connection points under certain operating conditions, causing hydraulic fluid to leak.
Risk: The sudden loss of power steering assist and hydraulic steering fluid leaking onto the roadway may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will check the return line connections of the power steering system, correcting it as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2020. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this campaign is NV3LETULPE.
- 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.
See all 16 recalls for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 →
2016 compared with other Sprinter 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 Sprinter 3500 ranks worst among 18 model years, with a complaint index of 100 and an Avoid verdict. It logged 62 complaints, 16 recall campaigns, 3 crashes, 2 fires, and 6 injuries.
- What is the most common problem with the 2016 Sprinter 3500?
- Brakes are the top problem area, making up 34% of complaints (21 of 62), with a median failure mileage of 17,500 miles.
- Does the 2016 Sprinter 3500 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns for this year, including brake wheel-speed sensors, power steering return line hoses, front airbag inflators, and a missing driveshaft catch strap that could contact the fuel tank.
- How does the 2016 Sprinter 3500 compare to other years?
- It has the highest complaint index (100) and worst rank (1st of 18) among all Sprinter 3500 model years listed, worse than the 2014 (94) and 2019 (88) model years, which are also rated Avoid.