AI Damage2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 filed 62 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and service brakes. The maker issued 70 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 62
- involving a crash
- 3
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 70
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 23% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 23% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 19% of all complaints
- 4 Electronic stability control 19% of all complaints
- 5 Vehicle speed control 16% of all complaints
- 6 Electrical system 15% of all complaints
- 7 Wheels 11% of all complaints
- 8 Engine 8% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 14 complaints (23% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Service brakes: 14 complaints (23% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Air bags: 12 complaints (19% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electronic stability control: 12 complaints (19% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Vehicle speed control: 10 complaints (16% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 62 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 14 | 0 | 4 |
| Service brakes | 14 | 2 | 1 |
| Air bags | 12 | 1 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 12 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 9 | 0 | 8 |
| Wheels | 7 | 0 | 3 |
| Engine | 5 | 1 | 7 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the ABS warning light and the electronic stability control warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that the motorhome was making abnormal clunking sounds. The contact was able to continue to drive at less than 30 MPH.
The air bags did not deploy. The contact was not injured; however, several children on the school bus sustained minor injuries. Three students sought medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the scene to a local tow lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.
While driving on a mountain road the vehicle began to send fire, smoke and steam from the motor compartment under the dash board and over the wind shield, causing the motor to stop running and subsequently causing the brakes to fail sending my wife and I down a winding mountain and ultimately resulting in a near fatal…
A catastrophic engine failure while the vehicle is being operated can result in sudden loss of engine power, creating a potential safety risk to the occupants and other motorists. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes.
The design foreseeably exposes owners to fire risk, given owners only recognize the exhaust from the rear side of the vehicle; assume if the engine is off no exhaust heats up enough to start a grass or other fire.
Power steering return hose slipped off 1/2â and fluid leak. Has a recall, but not applicable to this vin. Although it appears to be effecting it? Secured line to best abilities.
The contact pulled to the side of the road and became aware that the latch screws had detached; however, the latch was still welded to the vehicle. The contact was able to clamp the hood down with a ratchet. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V665000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages).
The contact stated that while driving, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V042000 (Electronic Stability Control) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable.
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 4,759 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 13% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Sprinter 3500 has 18 complaints (19 years in the data). This year has 62, above average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electronic stability control. ABS/ESC sensors, steering angle, codes after suspension repair.
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…
- Clunking noise on load change or gear engagement Complaint Clunking noise can be heard on some load…
Clunking noise on load change or gear engagement Complaint Clunking noise can be heard on some load changes or when changing from N->R or N->D Cause Movement of transfer case splines Remedy Apply bearing retainer…
- 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…
NHTSA lists 70 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
- Sprinter 3500 20104 sources
- Sprinter 3500 20118 sources
- Sprinter 3500 201221 sources
- Sprinter 3500 201345 sources
- Sprinter 3500 201455 sources
- Sprinter 3500 201537 sources
- Sprinter 3500 201788 sources
- Sprinter 3500 201854 sources
- Sprinter 3500 2019183 sources
- Sprinter 3500 2020150 sources
- Sprinter 3500 2021134 sources
- Sprinter 3500 2022100 sources
- Sprinter 3500 2023122 sources
- Sprinter 3500 202494 sources
- Sprinter 3500 202539 sources
- Sprinter 3500 20267 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, service brakes, air bags. Total complaints: 62. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (26%), jerking, harsh shifts (8%), loss of power / limp mode (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500?
NHTSA lists 70 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 3500 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.