Traction Control complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (electronic stability control and traction control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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.
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. 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 manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that one of the wheels must have failed to patch the ground. The manufacturer advised the contact to turn the vehicle on and off three times using the ignition key for the warning lights to disappear. The contact stated that he did so and the warning lights and warning messages disappeared; however, they reappeared the next day. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH and towing his Volkswagen vehicle, the transmission disengaged and the vehicle made an abnormal clunking sound. …
The contact owns a 2016 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 stated that while driving over a railroad track at a slow speed, the vehicle independently accelerated with the ABS, check engine, and traction control warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to safely stop the vehicle and shut-off the vehicle. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer. Due to the parts for the repair not being available, the dealer decided to place a new, yet defective, speed sensor on the vehicle as a temporary repair and the contact drove the vehicle back home. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but offered no assistance. …
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 mph, the transmission inadvertently downshifted into third gear and the vehicle stalled with an unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rear wheel speed sensors were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, and the failure was remedied. The contact later received notification of NHTSA campaign number 21V042000 (Electronic Stability Control) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, 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 not contacted. Vin tool confirms parts not available. …
I was driving on an interstate hwy and the ABS and ESP warning malfunction occured with a visit workshop message. The engine RPM reved up and the vehicle slowed to 40 MPH. I was able to get to a safe place. Consultation with a repair facility determined the cause to be the wheel speed sensors on the rear wheels. Further investigation revealed this same thing previously occured with the previous owner with 4000 miles on the vehicle the speed sensors were replaced at factory auth dealer at that time. This incident I am describing occured at 12000 miles on the vehicle. I was 700 miles from home and the nearest factory repair facility's only emergency opening was 3 days in the future. The independent repair facility that diagnosed the problem was not able to perform the necessary repairs. I drove home in limp mode. …
The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the rear wheel speed sensor failed causing the transmission to inadvertently downshift. The contact stated that the abs warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanic determined that the rear wheel speed sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred two years later. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 21V042000 (Electronic Stability Control). The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle surged without warning. The contact restarted the vehicle and the vehicle drove as designed. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V042000 (electronic stability control) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to several unknown local dealers to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rear wheel speed sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however the failure recurred. 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. The failure mileage was 15,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Related recalls (1)
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 years have traction control problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2016 (12), 2014 (11), 2015 (11), 2013 (10) and 2017 (7) model years. Traction Control complaints make up 19% of all complaints for the 2016.
Is there a recall for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 traction control problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 21V-042 (control module, Feb 3, 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 traction control problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 24,000 miles; 94% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the control module › software (1 mentions), followed by the automatic (asc) (1).
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.