66 of the
480 complaints filed about the Mercedes Benz Sprinter 3500
are about the braking system —
14% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2014.
During a drive in an extended rain shower,the adaptive cruise control stopped working, and the accident avoidance system ceased to function, giving multiple warnings on the dashboard information system. It took 2 days to dry out and start functioning again.
NHTSA complaint #11663161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11660365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am writing to formally raise a critical safety concern regarding the performance and behavior of the Crosswind Assist system in my 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500, upfitted by Airstream as a B-Class RV. This vehicle, identified by VIN [XXX] , exhibited behavior that I believe constitutes a significant and potentially dangerous flaw in its integrated driver-assistance programming. During a westbound trip from Minnesota to Nevada—traversing high-wind corridors in South Dakota, Wyoming, and Utah—the Crosswind Assist system activated on multiple occasions while overtaking large trucks during gusty wind conditions. The system appeared to override driver input by abruptly applying the brakes and modulating throttle response. On one particular occasion, this intervention forced our vehicle laterally toward a semi-truck in the adjacent lane while simultaneously initiating a hard brake event. This caused not only a near side-impact collision but also a chain reaction behind us, as trailing vehicles panic-braked, narrowly avoiding a rear-end collision. This level of autonomous intervention, especially under highway-speed wind shear, presents what I consider a severe safety risk to occupants and other motorists. No reasonable amount of driver anticipation, route planning, or wind-speed awareness could have prevented the unintended and forceful application of braking and steering commands we experienced. Upon referring to the owner’s manual and engaging in discussions on several Airstream and Sprinter-owner forums, I discovered that other owners have experienced similar incidents. Some users referenced the ability to disable the system through authorized Mercedes-Benz diagnostic software. Based on this information, I scheduled a service appointment at Mercedes-Benz of Farmington, Utah on March 17, service invoice [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11651549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the middle of my merge attempt, the vehicle suddenly braked hard, mimicking the feeling of an emergency stop, There was no cars around me, There was no reason for the auto to stop.
NHTSA complaint #11611828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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. It seems possible the previously suspect parts may have damaged the ESP unit. There appears to be a safety issue with faulty break performance in this situation. The vehicle only had about 13,000 miles on the odometer. at the time of the event. Service an repair records are available upon request
NHTSA complaint #11539850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I'm getting wheel sensor errors and the vehicle goes into limp mode and disables the cruise control, even after replacing the sensors. Very frustrated with this dangerous situation!
NHTSA complaint #11529306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11528852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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. We would like to travel to remote areas of our country but haven't done so because there is no place to get the sensor replaced if it fails. We have spoken to Mercedes Benz of Sarasota FL and Mercedes Corporate and they are unwilling to do anything to replace the 4th sensor.
NHTSA complaint #11508752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11501434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The above are wouldn't allow me to place a check mark in the appropriate boxes. In the Standard Vehicle Components and ADAS sections, I was unable to check the boxes, but our vehicle contains ALL of the items in the first and second sections. The vehicle was dropped off at Lazy Days, Tampa on October 21, 2022 and so far they have been unable to provide an estimate or advise when we may receive our repaired motorhome. This dealer has a reputation for very poor follow-up. If you provide an email, I can send you the items to be checked. Despite going through two highway barriers at about 40 to 50 mph, the air bag system failed to deploy. The vehicle stopped as we ran into a fence at an angle of ten to fifteen percent. We luckily dodged five opportunities to be killed. My wife jumped out of the vehicle when it stopped and screamed so loud I could not believe it was her. I've been married 28 years and was shocked at her condition. I had to hold her to quiet her. The first hint of a problem was the brakes failed and the cruise control seemed to increase speed, but I'm not absolutely sure of this, but it felt like it. There are two Tiffin reps at Lazy Days, which I wrote about this, twice, and called leaving a message and they have not sought to get in touch with me. The supervisor, [XXX], of the intake service advisor, [XXX] said she would be in touch. I told her there was so much wrong, we understand if it took longer than her usual case. When it was about a month in, I called and discovered he no longer works there. They failed to assign someone to let us know of any progress. I called and left messages for [XXX] (Lazy Days employee) and wrote two emails and he also failed to get in touch, but he assigned [XXX] who called us asking what was wrong with our coach. I was beside myself. [XXX] failed to even read the invoice! I told her to read the invoice and call us back. Ran out of room. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11497581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11472515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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. Then the transmission reengaged and disengaged causing the vehicle to lurch forward. The contact continued to drive the vehicle. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle the failure reoccurred. The RV was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the rear axle speed sensors, knock sensors needed to be replaced, and the recall repair for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V042000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) was completed. The contact also stated that the dealer cross-fired the speed sensors which caused the computer to not allow the vehicle to drive more than 35 MPH. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that while driving at 5 MPH, the vehicle leaned on his right side and crashed into a street sign. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was not filed. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, The warning lights reappeared and the vehicle leaned and hit the curb. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was not filed. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and offered the contract to trade the vehicle. The vehicl
NHTSA complaint #11445998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal would depress to the floorboard without warning. The contact stated that he had to pump the brake pedal several times for the vehicle to come to a complete stop. The contact had initially taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where he had the brake pads and rotors replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact then took the vehicle to a dealer where they performed an inspection and found no defects with the vehicle. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and informed him that there were no open recalls on his vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 74,500.
NHTSA complaint #11432113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
received a recall for the ESP electronic stability control system inApril 2021, dealership made an appointment for May 2021. Then told me the reaper parts were not available, but would contact me asp, . Today, August 26th I checked to see why no notification, was told thy had the parts, but could not get to my project until later October. I told them that date would not work asm I was driving the vehicle to New York beginning October first. They failed to call me, and now put me at the back of the line for repairs. My notice from your office, dated August and received on the 18th go August suggests the time for repair would be one hour. My problem, related to their failure to notify, is I can not wait till late October. Any help?
NHTSA complaint #11430678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Driver reported that vehicle started rolling while the vehicle was in Park. The parking brake was engaged. Driver was able to stop the vehicle by physically keeping their foot on the brake. Vehicle sent to dealer. Dealer confirmed issue and repaired. Repair details and video of issue available. Other related issues have been identified on other vehicles.
NHTSA complaint #11428216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11428219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11418351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE MERCEDES-BENZ DEALERSHIP CAN NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM ON TEH "ECALL" OR THE "BRAKE PEDAL BOLT" BOTH WHICH ARE LIFE THREATENING THEY DEALERSHIP ADVICED ME ON CONTACTING YOU?
NHTSA complaint #11416307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.