2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 has a complaint index of 88, ranks 3rd worst of 18 model years, and carries 41 recall campaigns. It is rated Avoid relative to other Sprinter 3500 years, with engine problems the top complaint area.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 88/100
- #3 of 18 Sprinter 3500 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 27
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 41
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Engine
Top 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine8 (30%)
- Brakes7 (26%)
- Electrical System6 (22%)
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (22%)
- Other4 (15%)
- Airbags3 (11%)
- Seat Belts3 (11%)
- Structure & Body3 (11%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (7%)
- Fuel System1 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe unexpected engine stalling at highway speed accompanied by abnormal noise, smoke from the hood, and smoke entering the cabin.
- Some drivers report the van rolling away after being placed in park and the parking brake being set, in one case rolling into a parked house.
- Owners report the parking brake indicator showing inoperable while the vehicle failed to move after being shifted into gear.
- Seat belt retaining bolts have been found loose or detached from the support column, requiring manual reattachment.
- Some owners describe the lane keeping assist applying the brakes and causing the vehicle to swerve when touching a lane marking.
- One owner reported an automatic sliding door opening on its own while the van was parked, locked, and not running.
2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 recalls
41 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V930000Dec 13, 2024Electrical System697 vehicles
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The instrument cluster illumination may not be adjustable and appear too bright in certain lighting conditions. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."
Risk: A display that is too bright can make it difficult for the driver to see critical safety information, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 31, 2025. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3BELKOM.
- NHTSA 23V875000Dec 21, 2023Structure & Body3,739 vehicles
Structure:critical fasteners
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The longitudinal frame members may be missing reinforcement fasteners, reducing vehicle stability and decreasing the structural integrity of the third-row seats.
Risk: Reduced stability increases the risk of a crash. Additionally, the third-row seat mountings can fail, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the frame members as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 4, 2024. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3ROHRAH.
- NHTSA 23V876000Dec 21, 2023Structure & Body387 vehicles
Structure:critical fasteners
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and 2019-2021 Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The partition wall may be missing bolts, allowing the wall to detach during a crash.
Risk: A detached partition wall can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and secure the partition wall as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 16, 2024. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3TREWAN.
See all 41 recalls for the 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 →
2019 compared with other Sprinter 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2019 Sprinter 3500 a complaint index of 88, the 3rd worst among 18 model years tracked, so it is rated Avoid relative to other Sprinter 3500 years.
- What are the most common problems on the 2019 Sprinter 3500?
- Engine issues make up 30% of complaints, followed by brakes at 26%, electrical system at 22%, and transmission & powertrain at 22%.
- How many recalls does the 2019 Sprinter 3500 have?
- NHTSA lists 41 recall campaigns tied to the 2019 Sprinter 3500, covering areas including electrical system, structure & body, and transmission & powertrain, though none are classified as do-not-drive.
- At what mileage do problems typically show up on the 2019 Sprinter 3500?
- Median mileage at failure varies by system: brakes issues appeared at 2,200 miles, airbags at 5,628 miles, structure & body at 9,100 miles, electrical system and seat belts at 14,000 miles, transmission & powertrain at 12,485 miles, and engine at 15,500 miles.
- Were there any crashes or fires linked to the 2019 Sprinter 3500?
- NHTSA data shows 3 crashes, 1 fire, and 1 injury reported for the 2019 Sprinter 3500, with no deaths recorded.