2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 problems, complaints & recalls

2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 recalls (10)

• Recall 21V042000Feb 3, 202148,667 vehicles
  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.

  Risk: If ESC becomes disabled, vehicle driving stability may be impacted under certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.

  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.

• Recall 20V663000Oct 28, 202047,667 vehicles
  STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

  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.

  Risk: The sudden loss of power steering assist and hydraulic steering fluid leaking onto the roadway may increase the risk of a crash.

  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.

• Recall 20V155000Mar 18, 2020289 vehicles
  EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

  Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The spare tire label may indicate the maximum speed at 55 kilometers per hour (kph) rather than as 34 miles per hour (mph).

  Risk: With only the metric speed listed on the spare tire label, the driver could misinterpret the kph as mph and operate the vehicle with the spare tire installed at higher speeds than the tire can withstand, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter dealers will replace it with the label with the correct maximum speed information indicated in miles per hour, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2020. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3BEGRESS.

• Recall 20V156000Mar 18, 2020332 vehicles
  EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

  Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The spare tire label indicating the maximum speed may have not been affixed to the spare tire.

  Risk: Without the label, an operator may be unaware of the maximum speed limit of the spare tire and operate the vehicle at a excessive speed, increasing the risk of tire failure and a crash.

  Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter dealers will attach the speed limitation label on the spare wheel, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2020. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3BEGREPP.

• Recall 19V695000Oct 2, 20191,232 vehicles
  AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE

  Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The airbag systems may not have been activated after vehicle production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

  Risk: An inactive airbag system can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

  Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to determine if the airbag systems have been activated, correcting them as necessary, free of charge. DVUSA issued owners an interim notification on November 22, 2019. The recall began February 10, 2020. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3AIRIGEL.

• Recall 19V693000Oct 2, 201919 vehicles
  UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Sprinter and Metris vehicles. The vehicles left the reassembly plant without the final quality inspection of safety-relevant parts or bolt connections, resulting in possible unknown safety risks.

  Risk: Failure to identify loose safety related parts can increase the risk of crash and injury.

  Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and vehicles will be returned to the reassembly plant for comprehensive inspection and, if necessary, corrective action, free of charge. The recall began November 15, 2019. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VSX566ZP25.

• Recall 19V665000Sep 18, 20195,626 vehicles
  LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

  Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The screw connection on the upper hood catch may have been improperly tightened. As a result, factors such as the vehicle's speed, wind resistance and road conditions may cause the hood to open while the vehicle is being driven.

  Risk: A hood that opens while driving can reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the screw connection, tightening it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2019. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3HAUBOSS.

• Recall 19V507000Jul 2, 20191,079 vehicles
  VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

  Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter 1500, 2500, 3500 and 4500 vehicles. The rear side windows may be single-pane safety glass instead of laminated safety glass.

  Risk: In the event of a side impact crash or vehicle rollover, the fitted side windows may not adequately protect the rear occupants from being ejected, increasing their risk of injury.

  Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner dealers will replace the single-pane safety glass with laminated safety glass., free of charge. DVUSA issued owners an interim notification on August 16, 2019. The recall began January 21, 2020. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3VERGLAS.

• Recall 19V222000Mar 20, 20197 vehicles
  UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Metris vehicles. The affected vehicles left the reassembly plant without the final quality inspection of safety-relevant parts or bolt connections, resulting in possible unknown safety risks.

  Risk: Failure to identify loose safety related parts can increase the risk of crash and injury.

  Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will complete the final quality inspection, free of charge. The recall began May 17, 2019. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VSX566ZP25.

• Recall 18V743000Oct 24, 201876 vehicles
  LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

  Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2018 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The right side door latches may have been built with incorrect components. As a result, when the doors are electronically unlocked, the right-side doors may not be able to be opened from inside or outside of the vehicle.

  Risk: In the event of a crash, if the right side doors cannot be opened, it could increase the risk of injury.

  Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the locks if necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2019. Owners may contact DVUSA at 1-877-762-8267.

NHTSA defect investigations

• EA21002Opened Sep 17, 2021Open

  Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

  From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C…

• PE20014Opened Sep 21, 2020Closed Mar 30, 2021led to recall 21V042000

  Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Failure

  The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by Daimler Vans USA, LLC (Daimler) as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers to identify incidents related to Rear Wheel Speed Sensors (RWSS) failures. ODI's analysis identified 6,710 incidents of RWSS failure (unique VINs) in MY 2012-2018 Mercedes- Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles upfitted to campers or recreational vehicles (RVs) representing 81 percent of all Sprinter RWSS reports. Complaint and warranty analysis indicated that the majority of incidents (approximately 99%) were related to RWSS mois…

Recent 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Feb 12, 202515,000 miTNFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) tank had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for…

   NHTSA complaint #11642281 · source
2. Filed Feb 23, 2023FLBrakesOther / UnknownAcceleration & Cruise Control

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11508752 · source
3. Filed May 25, 20227,400 miNHElectrical SystemEngine

   The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds, there was an abnormal sulfur odor coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. As the odor persisted, the contact’s eyes started burning and the contact also started having a headache. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered that acid had leaked from the battery due to internal pressure inside the battery. The contact then called that dealer…

   NHTSA complaint #11466047 · source
4. Filed Nov 18, 202118,000 miLADriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the ABS, check engine, and cruise control warning lights illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact indicated that the vehicle was recently serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V042000 (Electronic Stability Control) however, the failure occurred. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The approximate failure…

   NHTSA complaint #11440922 · source
5. Filed Nov 10, 2021CAWheels & Tires

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11440080 · source
6. Filed Sep 28, 2021CODriver Assistance & Safety TechSteering

   The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 20V663000 (Steering) and 21V042000 (Electronic Stability Control) however, the dealer informed the contact that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact contacted Mercedes-Benz of Westminster (10391 Westminster Blvd, Westminster, CO 80020) confirmed the first dealer’s information. The contact stated that the manufacturer had…

   NHTSA complaint #11434749 · source
7. Filed Jun 14, 2021CABody & StructureLighting

   On or about April 27, 2021 the driver's side rear taillight assembly randomly fell off between Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona on Interstate 10. The assembly is large, containing the taillight, brake light, turn signal light and back-up light. It could have (and may have) hit another vehicle or at least caused it/them to engage in a dangerous turning maneuver to avoid hitting the large assembly while on the freeway. In addition, the RV was then rendered unsafe and in violation…

   NHTSA complaint #11420930 · source
8. Filed Jan 26, 202119,800 miFLBrakesAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   When turning a corner,engine raced to 45 mph without my foot on the throttle.almost lost control.had to put vehicle,meredes sprinter 3500,into neutral to stop it.had previously had the dealer repair speed sensors three other times.warning lights come on and i loose cruise control.dangerous condition.mb should re engineer the part and install in affected vehicles.dealer continues to install defective parts.

   NHTSA complaint #11390039 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology