27 of the
480 complaints filed about the Mercedes Benz Sprinter 3500
are about the wheels —
6% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2016.
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. The contact stated that during the failure, the contact had to search around for replacement rims. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.
NHTSA complaint #11758341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
We purchased a new 2025 Jayco Melbourne and afterwards discovered the MBZ 3500 Chassis was a 2024.(6/19/2024) A 2025 MBZ 3500 chassis has a TPMS -factory installed system; 2024 no TPMS. I started to install an aftermarket TPMS and noted the tire valve stems were rubber. I couldn’t install the end cap sensors due to safety concerns about centrifugal force causing a failure of the rubber valve stems on the wheels. My next contact was MBZ customer service. They referred me to Walter’s Mercedes-Benz Van Center, 7979 Auto Drive, Riverside, Ca. 82504. I contacted Service Advisor Brennan Ruiz at 951-552-2145. After a couple of phone calls back and forth and me researching the parts through MBZ, I made an appointment on 6/11/2025 to have my 2025 Jayco retrofitted with the factory TPMS. The cost for me was approximately $3;000.00 including parts and labor. On 6/112025, Brennan took care of a warranty issue not related to this and was very helpful with the TPMS retrofit process. He did inform me that his tech would not be able to install the parts due to MBZ on the east coast refusing to release the computer code unless there was prior documentation or campaign bulletins for reference. The TPMS is standard on the 3500 MBZ Sprinter chassis, but MBZ will not release the code to their own dealership when I am willing to pay $3,000.00 for the entire retrofit process. It does not make sense to me since MBZ has the Motto on their web site: “How Mercedes-Benz Safety Features Prevent Accidents Before They Happen.” That’s what I am attempting to have completed! Resolution: First, I want this documented in case of tire failure/accident. Secondly, hopefully this will help me getting the Factory TPMS retrofit completed! I am not asking MBZ to pay anything other than releasing the computer code for the retrofit. This is for the safety of my family and all the other motorists that I encounter while driving on the highways in the US. Thank you for your help,
NHTSA complaint #11666477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2023 Renegade RV built on a 2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Chassis. The contact stated that while an independent mechanic was servicing the vehicle, he noticed that the rear inner tires had rubber valve stems. The contact stated that an independent mechanic had informed him that the rubber material of the valve stems was inadequate for the RV weight capacity. The mechanic informed the contact that the rubber material was inadequate because the generation of heat while driving could add more pressure to the tire, which could in turn damage the rubber valve stems, and could cause the tire to deflate or to blow out. The mechanic replaced the rear inner tires rubber valve stems with steel valve stems. The contact stated that the information had raised concerns because the rubber valve stems had caused the tires of the RV he previously owned to fail while driving. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 8,000.
NHTSA complaint #11556297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This vehicle was sold to us new with the manufacturer's window sticker stating it was equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) as a Standard Accessory - Safety/Cargo Protection. The provided owner's manual describes the TPMS system and the low tire pressure warning lamp indicator on the dash. It was not until our first flat tire after 2.5 years and 24000 miles, that we learned our vehicle does NOT have TPMS OR a low tire pressure warning lamp. Another motorist flagged us down as it was the inside dually tire that deflated and delaminated. Luckily we learned of the deflated inner tire before the outer tire also had issues because of the extra load placed on it. We have since learned that vehicles with a GVWR over 10,000 pounds and dual-wheel rear axles are not required to have TPMS. The owner's manual does not state this and does not exclude our model as having this safety equipment. As far as we know, this exclusion is not standard public knowledge. Many heavy duty trucks with dual wheels do have such a system, so why should we question our window sticker? Our issue and safety concern is that we were lead to believe our van did have a TPMS by both our window sticker and our owners manual. Many of these vehicles are being converted to RVs (like ours but has seat belts for 6 passengers) and may be being driven unsafely due to this miscommunication. Owners/drivers of van conversions and RVs need to be fully aware of the lack of this safety feature. The dealership we bought the van from has been unhelpful and has said they have forwarded our complaint to Mercedes USA but we have yet to hear anything from them.
NHTSA complaint #11440080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact's parents own a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated that his parents had experienced multiple flat tire failures with various tires on the vehicle. An independent mechanic discovered that there were multiple cracks on three of the rims on the vehicle. Due to that discovery, his parents had all six tires and rims replaced on the vehicle. Recently, the contact discovered that the driver’s side inner tire had blown out after parking the RV. The contact called for emergency assistance and had the tire replaced. On a separate occasion, the contact noticed after parking the vehicle, the rear passenger’s side outer tire was flat. The contact again called for emergency assistance and while the tire was being replaced, it was discovered that the sidewalls had all fallen apart inside the tire. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact believed that the cause of the tire failures was related to the rims on the vehicle. Neither the manufacturer nor the dealer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 8,100.
NHTSA complaint #11426633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WE ARRIVED HOME AFTER A SHORT TRIP, PARKED THE VEHICLE AND DIDN'T SEE IT UNTIL THE NEXT MORNING. WE THEN FOUND THAT BOTH LEFT REAR TIRES WERE FLAT. AIRED THEM UP AND DROVE TO DISCOUNT TIRE WHERE WE WERE INFORMED THAT BOTH RIMS WERE CRACKED AT THE EXACT SAME WELD. THE TIRES WERE IN PERFECT CONDITION: NO BLESS, BUBBLES, OR MARKS. MERCEDES BENZ REFUSED TO WARRANTY OR REPLACE THE RIMS. WE NOW SEE THERE IS A RECALL PENDING ON AN ESP FOR THE REAR TIRES - WE BELIEVE THAT ARE CONNECTED ISSUES.
NHTSA complaint #11403215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEEL SPEED SENSOR ON VEHICLE HAS MALFUNCTIONED MULTIPLE TIMES. WHEN SPEED SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS THE VEHICLE SPEED SURGES AND OPERATES ERRATICALLY ON ITS OWN. CONDITION HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. CONDITIONS HAPPEN AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS
NHTSA complaint #11398890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2019, I WAS DRIVING DOWNHILL ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD WHEN OUR RV, A 25' LTV UNITY ON A MERCEDES SPRINTER 3500 CHASSIS, SUDDENLY LURCHED AND FELT OUT OF CONTROL. THE BREAKS AND STEERING WERE UNRESPONSIVE, AND I WAS PUMPING THE BREAKS, HARD! AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF STRUGGLING TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AROUND A CURVEY DOWNHILL ROAD, CONTROL WAS RESTORED. LUCKILY, I WAS GOING SLOW ENOUGH THAT NO ACCIDENT RESULTED, BUT IT REALLY SHOOK ME! A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER THE VEHICLE (STILL UNDER WARRANTY) WAS LOADED ONTO A FLATBED TRUCK AND HAULED 2 HOURS AWAY TO KNOXVILLE, TN; THE CLOSEST MERCEDES SPRINTER VAN SERVICE CENTER. THEY REPLACED THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. I WAS TOLD THE OTHER SENSORS MIGHT ALSO FAIL, BUT THEY COULD NOT BE REPLACED UNTIL THEY FAILED. SINCE THEN, WE HAVE HEARD FROM SEVERAL OTHER RVERS WITH MERCEDES SPRINTER CHASSIS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. FOR US, THE VEHICLE NO LONGER FEELS SAFE TO TAKE ON THE ROAD SINCE WE HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THE NEXT SENSOR WILL FAIL. (PS - I TRIED TO SUBMIT THIS FORM EARLIER, BUT ACCIDENTALLY SELECTED 'I DO NOT WISH TO RECEIVE SAFETY RECALL ALERTS' - I DO WISH TO RECEIVE THOSE ALERTS.
NHTSA complaint #11394837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEEL SPEED SENSORS MALFUNCTIONING WHILE DRIVING. GOING ON THE THIRD TRIP TO THE DEALER FOR RNR. THIRD FAULT AFTER A COUPLE OF HUNDRED MILES SINCE THE SECOND RNR. MANY INTERNET FORUMS EXPLAIN SAME ISSUES N FRUSTRATIONS. VEH HAS ONLY 13500 MILES, THREE RNRS WITHIN THE 500-1000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #11383887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, THE FOLLOWING WARNING MESSAGES APPEARED: ABS, ESP AND ARS NOT FUNCTIONING AND TAKE TO WORKSHOP. ALSO, THE BLINDSPOT WARNING ON MIRRORS STOPPED WORKING, AS DID THE CRUISE CONTROL. DROVE SEVERAL HOURS TO NEAREST MERCEDES DEALERSHIP WITHOUT THESE SAFETY FEATURES. PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AS RPM SENSOR FAILURE. WAS ADVISED THAT ALTHOUGH ONLY ONE SENSOR FAILED, THEY RECOMMENDED REPLACING BOTH AT THE SAME TIME. AT THE TIME, THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 40,111 MILES ON ODOMETER, BUT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THAT SENSOR MAY HAVE GOTTEN HOT, SUGGESTING I HAD DRIVEN WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE ON. I TOOK EXCEPTION TO THIS, AS I RARELY EMPLOY THE E-BRAKE UNLESS I AM ON A VERY STEEP INCLINE, AND HAD NOT USED DURING THIS TRIP. REPAIR COST TOTALED OVER $700. COPY OF BILL ATTACHED. THIS OCCURRED ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2018, AS I WAS BEGINNING A MULTI-STATE TRIP.
NHTSA complaint #11375286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
A THOR MOTOR COACH ON A 2012 MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER MDB 11K 170 16 0257554 CHASSIS. ON 4/17/2019 THE DEF SENSOR FAILED ON 05/18/2020 THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILED. ON 09/14/2020 THE BATTERY FAULT PANEL BLEW OUT. ON 10/12/2020 THE EXHAUST GAS SENSOR FAILED. ON 10/22/2020 THE LEFT REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILED. THESE FAILURES HAPPENED WHILE ON TRIPS WITH NO AUTHORIZED REPAIR FACILITIES WITHIN 100 MILES LEAVING THE PEOPLE IN THE COACH IN UNSAFE LOCATIONS WITH NO CELL PHONE SERVICE. THIS COACH HAS A FEATURE THAT PUTS IT INTO A LIMP MODE, THAT SHIFTS IT INTO LOW GEAR WITH A MAXIMUM SPEED OF ABOUT 25 MPH WHICH IS VERY UNSAFE ON ANY HIGHWAY. THIS IS PROMOTED AS A SAFETY FEATURE WHEN IN FACT IT IS A HAZARD FEATURE.*DT
NHTSA complaint #11366929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN CLEAR WEATHER, ABS/BAS/ESP WARNING LIGHTS TURN ON CAUSING LIMITED DRIVING DUE TO NO ABS BRAKING CRUISE CONTROL, OR STABILITY CONTROL. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES ON VARIOUS WHEELS OF MY SPRINTER 3500 FROM 2013-2019. THE FAILURE OF THESE SENSORS CAUSES A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION. BESIDES THE SAFETY ASPECT, REPAIR OF THESE SENSORS ARE $500 EACH OCCURRENCE.
NHTSA complaint #11363990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HAVE HAD THREE DIFFERENT WHEEL SENSORS GO OUT CAUSING ENGINE TO GO INTO LIMP MODE RESULTING IN HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. MOST MERCEDES DEALERS CANNOT DO THIS SERVICE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS FAULT THAT MANY HAVE EXPERIENCED AND IS A SERIOUS ROAD SAFETY HAZARD. IN ALL INSTANCES I WAS DRIVING VEHICLE ON 'WASHBOARD' ROAD CONDITIONS; ONCE IN I-70 WESRBOUND FROM KANSAS CITY.
NHTSA complaint #11337921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE RV WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE WAS FLAT. THE CONTACT DROVE THE RV TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE WELDING ON THE BACK OF THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL HAD FRACTURED, WHICH PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS CONCERNED THAT THE WELDING DEFECT ON THE OTHER WHEEL COULD LEAD TO OTHER TIRES BEING PUNCTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE WHEELS WERE NOT REPAIRED NOR REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
NHTSA complaint #11326963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS MB SPRINTER 3500 3.0 DIESEL IS THE CHASSIS FOR A 2018 THOR CHATEAU 24FS RV. 2018-07-06 - 8485 MILES: LEFT REAR SPEED SENSOR REPLACED. 2018-09-14 - 9488 MILES: RIGHT REAR SPEED SENSOR REPLACED. 2020-05-22 - 14127 MILES: LEFT REAR SPEED SENSOR REPLACED. IN ALL CASES THE TRACTION, SKID, AND ABS LIGHTS COME ON ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE TRANSMISSION CAN SHIFT MANY TIMES PER SEC WHEN TURNING A SHARP CORNER (AND CAUSE THE RV TO "BUCK"). ALSO THE TRANSMISSION CAN DROP OUT OF DRIVE MULTIPLE TIMES AND REV THE ENGINE RPMS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, ALSO CAUSING THE RV TO "BUCK". A STARTLED DRIVER MIGHT TRY TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND LOCK THE STEERING WHEEL. MB SERVICE AGENT ON 5-22-2020 TOLD ME THAT THEY SEE THIS WITH RV'S "ALL THE TIME, BUT NEVER SEEM TO SEE IT WHEN THE SPRINTER IS JUST A VAN. UNCLEAR WHY THIS IS HAPPENING". THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT!!! IT ALMOST DID FOR ME DRIVING 55 MPH ON I-515 IN GA NEAR WOODSTOCK AND OTHER TIMES. ALSO CAUSED ME TO HAVE THE RV TOWED TO THE MB DEALER IN ATLANTA FROM TYBEE ISLAND GA AT AN EXPENSE OF $600. AT MINIMUM, MB SHOULD UPDATE THEIR ESP COMPUTER TO SANITY CHECK THE DATE BEING GIVEN BY THE WHEEL SPEED SENSORS. IF THEY DON'T MAKE SENSE, THEN DISABLE ABS, TRACTION AND SKID, BUT DON'T START SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION MULTIPLE TIMES PER SECOND, OR TAKE IT OUT OF GEAR AND REV THE ENGINE. *DT*JB*DT
NHTSA complaint #11325768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I'M EXPERIENCING WHEEL SPEED SENSOR MALFUNCTION AND FAILURE AT INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SPEED. IT'S HAPPENED APPROX 10 TIMES. ONCE WHEN ENCOUNTERING A DIP IN THE ROAD. ONCE IN HEAVY CROSS WINDS. AND LASTLY WHEN PASSING AN 18 WHEELER. UPON MALFUNCTION, MY CAMPER LOOSES POWER DUE TO CRUISE CONTROL DROPPING OUT. THIS PUT ME IN UNSAFE CONDITION PASSING 18 WHEELER. FIRST FAILURE WAS ON I-8 IN REMOTE COUNTRY. I MADE IT TO SAFE AREA BUT WAS VERY STRESSED. FAULT CLEARED AFTER RESTARTING MY ENGINE. NEXT EVENT WAS IN COLORADO IN AUGUST 2019. IN HEAVY CROSSWIND ON INTERSTATE SYSTEM CODED 'WHEEL SPIN, LOSS OF TRACTION.' MULTIPLE TIMES I STOPPED, KILLED ENGINE, BUT CODES DIDN'T CLEAR. UPON LEAVING CAMP IT CODED ADDITIONAL ABS FAILURE. THIS RESULTED IN BREAKDOWN. VEHICLE BECAME ERRATIC JERKING AND LURCHING. I CALLED MERCEDES AND WAS TOWED 250 MILES TO DEALER IN LITTLETON CO. RIGHT REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR REPLACED. LASTLY THIS HAPPEN AGAIN TWO DAYS AGO ON I-20 IN LOUISIANA. WHILE PASSING AN 18 WHEELER MY SPRINTER CODED 'WHEEL SPIN, VEHICLE SKID'.' IMMEDIATE LOSS OF CRUISE CONTROL CAUSED LOSS OF SPEED. THE LARGE TRUCK SPED BY ME IN THE INSIDE LANE BUFFETING ME BADLY! I MAINTAINED CONTROL BUT THIS WAS UNSAFE FOR MYSELF AND THE TRUCK DRIVER! UPON GETTING OFF INTERSTATE I GOT ABS CODE WITH VEHICLE STUCK IN LOW GEAR (COMPUTER GENERATED RESPONSE).MERCEDES HAS ONCE AGAIN TOWED MY SPRINTER TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. ALL SAID THESE SENSORS ARE NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE. THEIR FAILURES AT HIGHWAY SPEED PUT OPERATORS AT RISK. THIS RUINS CONSUMERS PLANS.IT PUTS US UNSAFELY ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WAITING ON TOW TRUCKS.
NHTSA complaint #11325693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I PURCHASED A 2017 RV (17,00 MI) MERCEDES BENZ CHASSIS IN DEC 2019 AND IN FEB 2020 WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM A CAMPING TRIP (55 MPH HIGHWAY) THE WARNING LIGHT COME ON AND VEHICLE WAS SURGING. I LOOKED UP THE ISSUE (WHEEL SENSOR FAILURE) AND SLOWLY DROVE HOME. GOT APP WITH MB DEALER AND REAR SENSOR REPLACEMENT MADE UNDER WARRENTRY. I TALKED WITH PREVIOUS OWNER AND WAS GIVEN THE HISTORY OF REAR WHEEL SENSOR FAILURES WITH THIS RV. BELOW IS HIS RECORD NOV 2018 (12,00 MI) BOTH REAR WHEEL SENSOR FAILURES AND REPLACED. APRIL 2019 REAR WHEEL SENSOR FAILED AND REPLACED. JULY 2019 ONE SENSOR FAILED AND REPLACED. I HAVE READ WHERE THIS HAS BEEN A CONTINUED FAILURE ISSUE WITH MB WHEEL SENSORS. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AND GET MB TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THANK YOU
NHTSA complaint #11322814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.