Brake complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I started my Sprinter, which was converted into a Grech RV, and while still in park a few seconds later, the vehicle started to move. Before I could hop back in the driver's seat to stop the vehicle, it crashed into my garage overhang and significantly damaged my Sprinter's back doors and back structure. How it started to move was a complete mystery to me as it was in park and I had just started the vehicle a few seconds prior. While doing some research, I saw an article in an auto blog forum about Sprinter Van roll-aways. I then received a safety recall notice from Mercedes about this very issue that I experienced. This involves NHTSA Recall #22V796. The incident was reported to my insurance company and the vehicle is currently awaiting repair. Thankfully, no one was injured.
Mercedes Dealership is refusing to get the vehicle in to make this safety recall repair in a timely manner. I have been told that i will need to wait for over a month just to drop the vehicle off with no time frame given in terms of how long the vehicle will be gone while being repaired.
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated that the message "Brake Assist Inoperable - See Owner's Manual" message was displayed. The warning light remained illuminated for several miles before turning off. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on three occasions, where it was diagnosed that there was a low sensor, approximately 1.5 centimeters, and the sensor was adjusted. The fault code displayed was C174AFB on two diagnostic tests. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. Additionally, the mechanic informed the contact to keep the front of the vehicle clean. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.
This vehicle suspends cruise control and breaking assist without notice. These systems become unavailable sometimes for days. While driving downhill, you suddenly lose speed control requiring excessive manual breaking. The problem is dangerous because you suddenly lose the ability to maintain cruise control. Breaking assist is lost and suddenly appearing people, bicycles or cars are at risk. A call to the manufacture, Mercedes-Benz yielded no help. They said they had never heard of this problem.
It appears that driver pressed park and pulled the emergency brake. Its possible it wasn't pressed properly and dealer found no mechanical fault. Vehicle rolled forward and impacted another parked vehicle. This may be related to other issues at RemarkableFoods related to transmission being in "Park" or driver intending to put it in "Park". Video is available for review.
The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign number 21V055000 (Electrical System) and 21V152000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not informed of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
We have a 2019 motorhome on a 2018 Mercedes Sprinter chassis. We are concerned about the wheel speed sensor failing. Three out of 4 sensors have already failed and been replaced on ours and Mercedes will not replace the 4th sensor until it fails. When this sensor fails it affects the ABS brakes and the braking distance is increased which can cause an accident. The cruise control is also affected and could increase speed on its own. The ESP can also be affected and can increase the risk of skidding and accidents. We have spoken to many other motorhome owners with the same chassis and they have also had problems with the sensors. Mercedes is aware of this problem and we feel they should replace all the sensors before they fail and cause a serious accident and injury or death. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated that the brakes failed and the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard when depressed. The contact had to pump the brake pedal to stop the vehicle harder than usual. The brake pedal traveled to the floorboard quicker than usual and the vehicle would not stop. The vehicle was taken to Mercedes-Benz of temecula (40910 temecula center dr, temecula, ca 92591,[phone]) to be diagnosed, but no failure was found. The mechanic stated that the contact needed to "get used to it". The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 4,366. The VIN was invalid.
Related recalls (5)
Parking brake
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2024 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The parking brake cable bracket welds may fail and disengage the parking brake. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems."
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the parking brake cable bracket as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 30, 2025. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 877-762-8267.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The front axle fender liner and brake hose may be too close, allowing the fender liner to contact and damage the brake hose.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the condition and clearance of the brake hose, modify the fender liner trim, and replace the brake hose as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 4, 2022.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The retaining washer and bolt that connect the brake pedal to the bearing block, may come loose and detach. This could cause the brake lights to stay illuminated, even when the brake pedal is not pressed.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners and dealers will secure a bearing bracket to brake pedal by retrofitting an additional retaining ring (with PNR A 907 994 01 00) at the bearing bracket of brake pedal, free of charge.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles equipped with electric parking brakes. The rear brake calipers may leak brake fluid into the housing of the electric parking brake connected to the rear axle service brake system, allowing air to enter the…
Remedy: DVUSA will replace the rear brake calipers, free of charge. Owners notification letters were mailed on January 4, 2022. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The outer area of the brake hoses on the front and rear axles may have been damaged during production.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will check the condition of the brake hoses on the front and rear axles and replace them as needed, free of charge. The recall began November 24, 2020.
NHTSA investigations
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2014 (15), 2016 (14), 2015 (13), 2013 (8) and 2019 (6) model years. Brake complaints make up 27% of all complaints for the 2014.
Is there a recall for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 brake problems?
Yes — 5 recalls, including 25V-135 (parking brake, Feb 28, 2025); 21V-933 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Dec 1, 2021); 21V-152 (pedals and linkages, Mar 10, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 21,000 miles; 95% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › wheel speed sensor/tone ring (4 mentions), followed by the antilock › wheel speed sensor (2).
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.