YearToAvoid

2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

64/100

#6 most-complained of 15 Sprinter 3500 years

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 ranks 6th worst of 15 model years, with a Complaint Index of 64 and a Caution verdict. It has 28 complaints, 9 recalls, and Brakes issues make up 36% of complaints, with median failure mileage around 18,790 miles.

Complaints
28
Recalls
9
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Brakes10 (36%)
  2. Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (29%)
  3. Engine5 (18%)
  4. Electrical System3 (11%)
  5. Fuel System3 (11%)
  6. Structure & Body3 (11%)
  7. Airbags2 (7%)
  8. Other2 (7%)
  9. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (4%)
  10. Steering1 (4%)

What owners report

  • Wheel speed sensor failures trigger ABS, traction control, and cruise control warning lights, sometimes putting the vehicle into limp mode.
  • Rear wheel rims crack at the weld joint, causing slow air leaks and repeated flat tires even on tires in good condition.
  • The electrical system has cut out completely while driving, freezing the tachometer and speedometer before the system reboots itself.
  • Running board and body trim parts have detached while driving, in one case striking another vehicle on the highway.
  • Brake-related warning lights come on with the vehicle feeling sluggish and cruise control disengaging at highway speed.
2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 complaints: complaints filed per month4Mar 2019Jan 2020Aug 2020Apr 2021Jul 2021Jun 2023Dec 2024
39 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2019 to Aug 2026; peak Mar 2019 (4).

2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 recalls

9 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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 9 recalls for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 →

2017 compared with other Sprinter 3500 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2015Caution502112—
2016Avoid1006216—
2017Caution64289—
2018Best14910—
2019Avoid862741—

All Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 reliable?
Compared to other Sprinter 3500 model years, 2017 carries a Caution verdict. It has a Complaint Index of 64 and ranks 6th worst out of 15 model years tracked.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Sprinter 3500?
Brakes account for 36% of complaints and Suspension, Wheels & Tires for 29%. Median mileage at failure for brake complaints is 18,790 miles.
Does the 2017 Sprinter 3500 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2017 Sprinter 3500, covering Brakes, Steering, Airbags, Structure & Body, Lane Departure (Crosswind Assist), and other components. None are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2017 Sprinter 3500 compare to other years?
The 2017 model's Complaint Index of 64 is lower than 2016 (100, Avoid) and 2014 (93, Avoid), but higher than 2018 (14, Best) and 2011 (7, Best).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.