AI Damage2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 filed 1 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine. The maker issued 40 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 40
What fails most often
- Engine: 1 complaints (100% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Electrical system | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Fuel system | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 4 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
While driving on the road in cruise control engine just suddenly goes into limp mode and loses power. It is very unsafe to pull over the side of the freeway or while going uphill. Error code was p0087- low fuel rail pressure!
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 24,720 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 33% least complained about).
On average one model year of the Sprinter 1500 has 3 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 1, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Unavailability of MB Apps Complaint A popup is seen on the HU with the message "data connection…
Unavailability of MB Apps Complaint A popup is seen on the HU with the message "data connection temporarily not available". Cause MB Apps is officially sundowned for all vehicles with NTG5 Head Unit Variant. Remedy No…
- Complaint While driving through muddy / sandy/ off road terrain "4Matic Currently Unavailable" message on…
Complaint While driving through muddy / sandy/ off road terrain "4Matic Currently Unavailable" message on the dash Cause This vehicle is not equipped with a fixed force distribution AWD, rather force is only applied to…
- ASSYST PLUS service reminder appears earlier than expected due to vehicle operating conditions Complaint…
ASSYST PLUS service reminder appears earlier than expected due to vehicle operating conditions Complaint The ASSYST PLUS service reminder appears earlier than expected. The customer or dealer may report that the…
- OM642 DPF Filter Cracked or Broken Complaint Vehicle will not start or exhibits noisy exhaust
Check Engine Lamp (CEL) is on. Multiple control unit communication and system faults may be present, including but not limited to: 134800, 134900, 11B300, 11EC00, 15E100, 155700, 162500. Additional events codes may…
- Complaint Complaint A
The engine is jolting/bucking between 1700 and 1900 rpm. Complaint B: One or more mechanical related fault codes for EGR Valve stored in CDI control unit, with possible Check Engine Light. Review list of mechanical…
- Complaint Rattling noise from underneath the vehicle
Cause One or more of the following conditions may be present: 1. The exhaust bracket from the DPF to the transmission is cracked or broken. • See Pic. 1 for an example of a broken bracket. 2. Transmission bell housing…
- The check engine light is illuminated, or the AdBlue warning is active, with recorded faults related to…
The check engine light is illuminated, or the AdBlue warning is active, with recorded faults related to AdBlue quality or concentration. Complaint Customer reports an illuminated check engine light and or an AdBlue…
- EGR Valve Diagnosis & Cleaning (and EGR Cooler Cleaning) – OM642, Sprinter 906/907 Complaint A
The engine is jolting/bucking between 1700 and 1900 rpm. Complaint B: One or more mechanical related fault codes for EGR Valve stored in CDI control unit, with possible Check Engine Light. Review list of mechanical…
- Engine Oil Level Cannot Be Checked via Instrument Cluster Service Menu Complaint Sometimes the engine oil…
Engine Oil Level Cannot Be Checked via Instrument Cluster Service Menu Complaint Sometimes the engine oil level cannot be determined using the instrument cluster's service menu. The following mes- sages may be…
- Complaint Transmission control unit Y3/8n4 (fully integrated transmission control unit (VGS)) not listed…
Complaint Transmission control unit Y3/8n4 (fully integrated transmission control unit (VGS)) not listed in quick test and/or no communication possible with VGS. Cause Transmission control unit Y3/8n4 Remedy For…
- EGR Valve Diagnosis and Cleaning Procedure using TUNAP 926® on 906, 907 Sprinter with OM642 Diesel Engine…
EGR Valve Diagnosis and Cleaning Procedure using TUNAP 926® on 906, 907 Sprinter with OM642 Diesel Engine Complaint Complaint A: The engine is jolting/bucking between 1700 and 1900 rpm. Complaint B: One or more…
- Warning Lamp "Washer Fluid Empty" Yet Reservoir Is Not Empty Complaint
Warning lamp "washer fluid empty", even thought the washer fluid reservoir is full Cause: Insufficient electrical conductivity of the washer fluid, as the washer fluid was mixed with distilled water. Tip: The washer…
NHTSA lists 40 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine. Total complaints: 1. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: loss of power / limp mode (100%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500?
NHTSA lists 40 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.