2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500: problems, recalls and reliability
12 recalls and 21 owner complaints on record; most reports concern vehicle speed control.
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 21 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I was driving on the freeway with my cruise control set at 65. The vehicle abruptly started accelerating. Fortunately I had left myself a good distance from the semi in front of me or I would have rammed into the back of it. This was quite unnerving and after braking I received the following error codes: ABS, esp, traction control and cruise control.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Nov 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2016 thor siesta installed on a 2015 mercedes benz sprinter 3500 chassis. The contact stated that upon approaching a stop, the contact heard a loud abnormal grating noise. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the receiver hitch that was attached to a bar had fractured from the chassis. The tow bar was still attached to the receiver hitch however, due to the failure, the tow bar was dragging on the road. The safety cable from the tow bar was also no longer attached to the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 31,842.”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2020
“While going uphill at about 50 mph on a highway the vehicle did a hard downshift and three engine lights came on,esp,ABS&asr . I stopped and check tires and air pressure all ok. At times the engine would buck, then speed up. Turned off engine then started it again. I was able to drive about 50 miles to mercedes dealer who diagnosed as the rear axel speed sensors failure. Medford mercedes-benz replaced both rear real axel speed sensors (vehicle mileage 27907) cost $909.00. Vehicle warranty on speed sensor is 5 yr or 100,000 miles.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · May 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Both rear wheel sensors went out within 2 months of each other. One 6,000 miles, the other 8,000 miles. Both highway driving no rough road”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2020
“ABS,esp and traction control out. Wheel speed sensors cause fault that triggers all three systems to fail. I have replaced rear wheel sensors three times. When failing the transmission is erratic and wants to surge ahead. I must stand on the brake to not hit the cars in front. My vehicle has 22,000 miles and issue started on our first road trip. It usually happens when going about 5 mph in traffic. Our vehicle is a winnebego navion with a mb sprinter base. This problem is strictly a mercedes problem. *dt*jb”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Apr 2019
“Takata recall: mercedes advised me that the replacement airbags for passenger side may not be ready until 2020. This is unacceptable. Therefore this is my formal complaint.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2019
“Unable to read speedometer and tachometer when the sun is shinning. Both have black background with very narrow white needles. The dash lights will not get bright enough to light up the area. I have purchased a battery powered light to light up the dash when sun is bright. It think this is a safty hazard. Dealer says it is normal.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jul 2016
“This is a 2016 winnebago view rv on a 2015 mercedes benz 3500 chassis. The handleing is dangerous. It rock and rolls upon the slightest uneven road. On shallow curves it feels like it is going to roll over. Winnebago says they can't do anything about it because mercedes benz won't let them change anything on the chassis. Mercedes benz does seem to care.I wonder how many accidents have been caused by this rock and roll action.”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2016
“On a sunny day, I cannot see my turn signals. They are too dem. Dealer says they are normal. I cannot hear them either. This is a safty hazard because they could be on and I don't know it or I can be preocupied trying to see if they are on or not.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2015 mercedes-benz sprinter 3500. When the brake pedal was depressed at various speeds, it extended to the floorboard and the vehicle hesitated to respond. After the brake pedal was depressed a second time, it reset back to the proper position. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 3,500. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 0 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 12 campaigns
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Mercedes Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The hydraulic power steering return line hoses may detach at their connection points under certain operating conditions, causing hydraulic fluid to leak.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will check the return line connections of the power steering system, correcting it as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2020. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this campaign is NV3LETULPE.
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured May 31, 2015, to April 30, 2016, and 2015-2016 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured May 1, 2015, to April 30, 2016. The affected vehicles are configured to have super-high roofs, but may not be equipped with the required crash pads.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will install the required crash-pads, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2016. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.
Vantage Mobility International, LLC (Vantage) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit Van, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2007 Ford F-250-based shuttle vehicles equipped with Freedman GO-3S foldaway seats. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
Remedy: Vantage has notified owners, instructing them to contact Freedman for a repair kit, free of charge. The recall began March 25, 2019. Owners may contact Freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540.
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 2015-2017 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 driver frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver 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 driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall is 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 (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles were manufactured without a protective plate on the front of the gas tank and a foam ring at the filler neck. As such, these vehicles may not comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began on June 6, 2017. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The affected vehicles were manufactured without a driveshaft catch strap, allowing a loose driveshaft to strike the fuel tank. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will install a driveshaft catch strap, free of charge. The recall began on April 27, 2017. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vans manufactured April 29, 2015, to December 15, 2015. The affected vehicles have a tire pressure label that incorrectly states a higher maximum load capacity than the vehicle is designed for.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner dealers will replace the incorrect tire pressure label, free of charge. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.
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.
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Mercedes Benz and Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured April 1, 2015, to October 31, 2015. The affected vehicles may have had multiple layers of paint applied, and as a result, in a crash, the windows may separate from the vehicle when the outer layer of paint peels from the layer below.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will remove the windows and inspect the paintwork, repainting the vehicles as necessary, free of charge. This recall began August 4, 2016. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-770-705-2070.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sprinter 3500 by VIN
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Is the 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 reliable?
NHTSA has 21 owner complaints and 12 recall campaigns on record for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The most complained-about area is vehicle speed control.
Does the 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 have open recalls?
12 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections. 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.