2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 has a Complaint Index of 71, ranking 6th worst of 18 model years, with 28 complaints and 9 recalls. Brakes and suspension/wheel issues dominate, earning it a Caution verdict.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 71/100
- #6 of 18 Sprinter 3500 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 28
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 9
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Brakes
Top 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes10 (36%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (29%)
- Engine5 (18%)
- Electrical System3 (11%)
- Fuel System3 (11%)
- Structure & Body3 (11%)
- Airbags2 (7%)
- Other2 (7%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (4%)
- Steering1 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Rear wheel speed sensors fail, triggering ABS, traction control, and cruise control warning lights and sometimes forcing the vehicle into limp mode.
- Wheel rims crack at the weld seam, causing tires to slowly or suddenly lose air, sometimes repeatedly on the same vehicle.
- The electrical system has briefly shut down while driving, freezing the tachometer and speedometer before the dash rebooted itself.
- Running board and body trim pieces have detached while driving, in one case reportedly striking another vehicle.
- Owners report that wheel sensor failures caused sudden loss of cruise control and sluggish braking response at highway speed.
2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 recalls
9 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 9 recalls for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 →
2017 compared with other Sprinter 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 reliable?
- NHTSA lists 28 complaints and 9 recalls for the 2017 Sprinter 3500, giving it a Complaint Index of 71 and a Caution verdict compared to other Sprinter 3500 model years.
- What is the top problem area for the 2017 Sprinter 3500?
- Brakes are the top problem area, accounting for 10 of 28 complaints (36%), with a median failure mileage of 18,790 miles.
- Does the 2017 Sprinter 3500 have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns covering brakes, steering, airbags, structure/body, and a Crosswind Assist software issue, none of them do-not-drive recalls.
- How does 2017 compare to other Sprinter 3500 years?
- 2017 ranks 6th worst out of 18 model years by Complaint Index; worse years include 2016 (index 100), 2014 (94), and 2012 (82), while 2011 and 2022 scored better.
- What suspension issues were reported on the 2017 Sprinter 3500?
- Owners reported cracked wheel rims at the weld joint causing repeated tire deflation, affecting 8 of 28 complaints with a median mileage of 16,000 miles.