AI Damage2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 filed 28 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and vehicle speed control. The maker issued 88 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 28
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 88
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 32% of all complaints
- 2 Vehicle speed control 18% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 14% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 11% of all complaints
- 5 Engine 11% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 11% of all complaints
- 7 Seat belts 11% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 11% of all complaints
- Air bags: 9 complaints (32% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 5 complaints (18% of all).
- Service brakes: 4 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
- Engine: 3 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 8.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 28 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 9 |
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 8 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Seat belts | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Structure | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 32 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The door latch and or roller failed which prevents the door from closing properly. Since the door does not close all the way, there is the risk that it opens while driving. This is a recurring issue I have on this vehicle and triggered a lemon-law buyback.
The power steering system lost it's fluid and pump is cavitating. It's available for inspection. The vehicles can be steered at the moment, but if it were to fail completely, it could cause loss of control at highway speeds. The problem is ongoing but hasn't been presented to a dealer or independent service center.
The primary issue is the seal on the air conditioning unit, which is on top of the Sprinter van. Prior to purchasing it, we read multiple reviews that the seal breaks frequently and water pours into the cabin. It is a known defect and quite prevalent.
Had 2 rims develop cracks causing loss of air pressure in tires. 1st occurred at approx. 45000 miles (2019), 2nd occurred at 110000 (2023). Both failures occurred to area of rim where welds to lock in center (with lug holes) on outer rim (where tire sits) are situated.
The check engine light came on in the Sprinter van. There is a Hissing noise coming from the engine when accelerating. The Sprinter van loses speed when on the highway. The vehicle could not keep up with traffic on the road. The Mercedes Benz dealer, Ft.
The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V003000 (Air Bags), 19V004000 (Air Bags), and 20V663000 (Steering) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs.
My 2016 Sprinter is suffering from a failing EGR valve that's causing intermittent power loss. The issue started after only 25000mi on the odometer. No errors are shown, nothing indicates malfunction. The problem is quite severe and presenting itself through random power loss.
I was in city traffic when all the sudden multiple warning lights came on: "ESP, visit workshop", "Brake force distribution, visit workshop", ABS warning light, ESP, warning light, collision prevention malfunction warning light, check engine light with fault code U0416.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 7,085 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 19% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Sprinter 2500 has 23 complaints (19 years in the data). This year has 28, above average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
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 88 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
- Sprinter 2500 201014 sources
- Sprinter 2500 201114 sources
- Sprinter 2500 20128 sources
- Sprinter 2500 201321 sources
- Sprinter 2500 201438 sources
- Sprinter 2500 201523 sources
- Sprinter 2500 201771 sources
- Sprinter 2500 201858 sources
- Sprinter 2500 2019215 sources
- Sprinter 2500 2020217 sources
- Sprinter 2500 2021171 sources
- Sprinter 2500 2022136 sources
- Sprinter 2500 2023123 sources
- Sprinter 2500 2024102 sources
- Sprinter 2500 202542 sources
- Sprinter 2500 20267 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, vehicle speed control, service brakes. Total complaints: 28. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (18%), A/C or heater (11%), door locks, latches, handles (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500?
NHTSA lists 88 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 2500 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 2026-11-06.