Most common 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 problems
Share of the 28 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 complaints by model year
Best Sprinter 3500 years: 2010, 2011, 2018. Years to avoid: 2016, 2014, 2023, 2013. Compare all years →
2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 recalls (9)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2017 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 driver frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall is began March 15, 2019. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.
Structure › Body
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2017 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles may be missing spot welds on the front side wall, connecting the door portal to the hinge reinforcements in the A-pillar area, possibly affecting vehicle strength in a crash.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and add any missing spot welds, free of charge. The recall began on July 2, 2018. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.
Equipment › Other › Labels
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and Sprinter 3500 vehicles, equipped with folding seats (sales code S20). The unloaded vehicle weight (UVW) label on these incomplete vehicles may be incorrect.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the UVW label and inspect the vehicle to make sure that it is not overloaded, free of charge. The recall began on April 3, 2018.
Show 3 more recalls
Lane departure › Assist
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 and Freightliner Sprinter 3500 vehicles equipped with the Crosswind Assist function. In the event of strong crosswind, automatic brake interventions by the vehicle dynamics control system (ADAPTIVE ESP) might not be activated.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the ESP control unit with corrected software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in January 2018.
Equipment
Midwest Automotive Designs, LLC (Midwest) is recalling certain Custom Vans and Camper Van recreational vehicles built on 2014-2017 Mercedes Benz Sprinter chassis and 2016-2017 RAM Promaster chassis.
Remedy: Midwest will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fire extinguisher with a different brand, free of charge. The recall began on December 11, 2017.
Tires › Temporary/emergency spare tire
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2017 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vans. The spare tire holder under the vehicle may not be properly secured.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners and dealers will lift the spare tire holder completely and tighten the securing screws as necessary, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500:
Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by Daimler Vans USA, LLC (Daimler) as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers to identify incidents related to Rear Wheel Speed Sensors (RWSS) failures.
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
What 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 owners say
Wheels & tires
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated that on two separate occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle started shaking and the contact heard a loud sound coming from the vehicle. The contact veered off the roadway and noticed that the hub cap had detached from the wheel. The contact stated that he was not aware that the inside tire had deflated. The contact then stated that he removed the hubcap from the road and continued driving to the nearest tire shop where it was diagnosed that rear driver's side inside tire was deflated and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. …
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver's side tire became deflated. The vehicle was driven to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the front driver's side rim was cracked. The contact was informed that the front driver's side rim needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the parts were unavailable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the failure had reoccurred due to potholes in the road. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The failure became a persistent failure. Additionally, the contact stated that the front passenger's rim and both rear rims were all cracked. In addition, the driver's side rear tire was damaged because of the failure. The contact stated that parts were unavailable at the dealer. …
Stability & traction control
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated while driving at 65 MPH, the cruise control disengaged as the ABS and ESP warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle over and read the owner's manual to get information on the failure. Upon restart, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V042000 (Electronic Stability Control) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was 5,500. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V042000 (Electronic Stability Control) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called the local dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue but was unable to provide a date when parts would be available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Brakes
The ESP and ABS warning lights went on suddenly after what sounded like a thud. The car had not run over anything. There was some initial brief chattering of the break pedal, and that subsided. The car was not near a suitable and available repair shop at the time. It was driven to complete a trip. There were several instances of break pedal chattering that led concern about the controllability of the vehicle. During the trip, it was taken to a brake shop, and the technicians felt it was likely safe to drive. Eventually after the servicing dealer first replaced the front speed sensors, the ESP unit was found to be shorted. This event is of concern because the speed sensors on the rear have been replaced on recall and the front speed sensors have been granted an extended warrantee. Both feed into the ESP unit that failed. …
Rmp sensor failed causing vehicle to lose anti lock brakes, traction control and cruise control. Plus forced vehicle into limp mode so it would barely move to rest area to call for assistance. I've been to three dealerships with this issue and they are all very aware that these faulty sensors exist. They have been and issue for years putting 100s if not thousands of Sprinter owners at extreme risk with loss of anti lock brakes and traction control at the same time. Mercedes Benz needs to correct this faulty part and recall all vehicles and fix
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 a good car?
Based on 28 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 Sprinter 3500 rates average: 26% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Sprinter 3500 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500?
The wheels & tires — 8 complaints, 29% of all complaints for this model year, most often about rim. Next are the stability & traction control (7) and brakes (5).
How many recalls does the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 have?
There are 9 recalls for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500, the most recent from February 3, 2021 (control module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2010, 2011 and 2018. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2016, 2014, 2023 and 2013. See the full Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 18,000 miles; 94% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.