2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 54 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (37% of complaints); the 2012 and 2013 and 2015 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2021
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 54 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Lane Departure · Feb 2021
“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.”Owner report · Wheels · Dec 2020
“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.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Oct 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“While driving about 30 miles per hour on a slightly bumpy road, three indicator lights on the dashboard started to show problems with the ABS, asr/bas, and ebd systems. According to the onboard diagnostics the root problem is a faulty right rear wheel speed sensor. This design seems to have put the wheel speed sensor in a dangerous position exposed to the elements, which causes it to degrade and stop working at a high rate.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Jul 2020
“At highway speed the vehicle suddenly shifted down and I noticed 3 yellow warning lights: ABS, esp, asr/bas. Fortunately, I was able to pull over. I phoned a mercedes dealer and was told it sounded like a faulty wheel speed sensor and that it was ok to drive with caution. A authorized sprinter repair center did diagnose the rear wheel speed sensor. $345.00 later the problem is fixed. The service manager said they see a lot of these. He said that the replacement sensor has a new part number which tells him that it has probably been improved. I hope so!”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Jun 2020
“In june of 2020 this vehicle caught on fire, originating in the engine compartment according to my driver. The vehicle was a total loss resulting in no bodily harm and my insurance company paid me a settlement and is still investigating last I heard. I also had to replace two wheel speed sensors out of pocket that my local dealer didn't recognize they should have been covered under warranty. My dealer did eventually acknowledge they should have been covered, but refuse to reimburse since they didn't do the work.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2020
“ABS, traction control and stability control lights came on while going down the road. This obviously disabled all of the above functions. Cause of failure was verified to be a faulty lh wheel speed sensor by the repair shop. *tr”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · May 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2014 merceds-benz sprinter 3500. While driving various speeds, the ABS, esp, and bas warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to mercedes-benz of san jose (3000 e capitol expy, san jose, ca 95148, (408) 214-3009) where the front passenger wheel speed sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact mentioned that from wheel sensors needed to be replaced at different times. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 23,000. *tr consumer stated failures happened in a period 0f 3 years.*jb”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Jul 2019
“After driving for several hours, the cruise control would drop out & the ABS, stability control & wheel speed sensor lights would come on.”Owner report · Service Brakes · May 2019
“Problem with speed sensors . I have replaced the speed sensor on my vehicle on four different occasions. This seems to be a reoccurring problem that needs to be addressed before someone gets seriously injured. Mercedes benz seems to be doing nothings to rectify this problem. Please be concerned that the public needs your help with this as soon as possible.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply (Cummings) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, E-350, Chevrolet Express, 2006-2008 Dodge Sprinter, and 2009-2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2013 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured January 1, 2006, to October 8, 2014, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation after January 1, 2006. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
Remedy: Cummings will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2015. Owners may contact Cumming's customer service at 1-800-639-5438 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Cumming's number for this recall is 14E-041.
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. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
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.
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. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is NC3DREZAHA.
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 and Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vans. These vehicles were manufactured without a reinforcement plate and protective bracket on the air bag control unit. As a result, the air bag control unit may not remain functional after the initial impact, possibly preventing additional air bags from deploying in response to a secondary impact.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will install a reinforcement plate and protective bracket around the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2017. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (Daimler Vans) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Dodge Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2006, to July 31, 2008, 2007-2014 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2006, to July 1, 2014, and 2010-2014 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2010, to July 1, 2014. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Remedy: Daimler Vans will notify the Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner owners and Fiat Chrysler will notify the Dodge owners. The respective dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2017. Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner owners may contact Daimler Van's customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Dodge owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
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. These vehicles are equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' fire extinguishers that may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
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. Owners may contact Kidde customer service for their replacement extinguisher at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC - DBA Sprinter (Mercedes) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Sprinter 2500, and Sprinter 3500 vehicles manufactured February 28, 2014, to November 21, 2014. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from around the chain tensioner gasket area.
Remedy: Mercedes will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chain tensioner gasket, free of charge. The recall began on December 19, 2014. Owners may contact Mercedes customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Mercedes' number for this recall is 2014120003.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sprinter 3500 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 reliable?
NHTSA has 54 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The most complained-about area is air bags (37% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 22,125 miles or less.
Does the 2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment adaptive/mobility. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.