VehicleVerdict

2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 63 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.2 times the median Sprinter 3500 year — the 2015 model ranks #3 of 18 Sprinter 3500 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (14), brakes (13), and speed control (12), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

63

NHTSA complaints

15

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2015 compare to other Sprinter 3500 years?

See all Sprinter 3500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1422%
Brakes1321%
Speed Control1219%
Transmission46%
Airbags35%
Tires & Wheels35%
Other35%
Seat Belts23%
Lighting23%
Body & Structure23%
Suspension23%
Fuel System12%
Driver Assistance12%
Visibility & Wipers12%

Does the 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 have recalls?

15 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

21V042000Electrical SystemFebruary 3, 2021 · 48,667 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

20V663000SteeringOctober 28, 2020 · 47,667 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

19V238000SeatsMarch 26, 2019 · 12 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

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.

19V004000AirbagsJanuary 8, 2019 · 88,388 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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.

19V003000AirbagsJanuary 8, 2019 · 71,301 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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.

17V786000OtherDecember 8, 2017 · 550 units

Defect

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

Consequence

In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

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.

17V093000AirbagsFebruary 10, 2017 · 15,338 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If additional air bags do not deploy as intended, the occupants are at an increased risk of injury.

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.

17V092000Fuel SystemFebruary 10, 2017 · 2 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

Without the protective plate and the foam ring installed, impacts may damage the tank resulting in a fuel leak that can increase the risk of a fire.

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.

17V094000TransmissionFebruary 10, 2017 · 2 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

A loose driveshaft may strike and puncture the gas tank, resulting in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

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.

16V351000Body & StructureMay 24, 2016 · 3 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If the required crash pads are missing, it can increase the risk of injury to a front passenger seat occupant if they are unbelted.

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.

16V261000Body & StructureApril 29, 2016 · 55 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If the windows separate from the vehicle in a crash, the occupants are at a greater risk of injury.

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.

16V093000OtherFebruary 18, 2016 · 2,278 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

The vehicle may be overloaded if loaded to the incorrect weight shown on the label, possibly resulting in axle or tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

15V261000EngineMay 5, 2015 · 1,335 units

Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC - DBA Sprinter (Mercedes) is recalling certain model year 2015 Sprinter 2500 and Sprinter 3500 vehicles manufactured February 28, 2014, to January 22, 2015. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from around the chain tensioner gasket area.

Consequence

Leaking oil may drip onto a hot engine surface, increasing the risk of a fire. Additionally, the leaking oil may be a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Mercedes will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chain tensioner gasket, free of charge. The recall began May 18, 2015. Owners may contact Mercedes customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Note: This recall is an expansion of 14V-764.

15V082000Body & StructureFebruary 10, 2015 · 5,586 units

Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC - DBA Sprinter (Sprinter) is recalling certain model year 2015 Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2014, to October 14, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the abutting wedge, a component attached to the door jamb to make opening the door easier after a severe frontal impact, may have been installed incorrectly.

Consequence

If a vehicle that has an incorrectly installed abutting wedge is involved in a severe frontal accident, a greater force may be necessary to open the doors, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Sprinter will notify owners, and dealers will check the installation of the abutting wedge, correcting it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in March 2015. Owners may contact Sprinter customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

14V764000EngineDecember 1, 2014 · 8,279 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Leaking oil may drip onto a hot engine surface, increasing the risk of a fire. Additionally, the leaking oil may be a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

VEHICLE HAS A HIGH FAILURE RATE FOR TIRE ROTATION SPEED SENSORS. THIS CONDITION IMMEDIATELY DISABLES THE ANTILOCK BRAKES, STABILITY CONTROL, TRACTION CONTROL AND CRUISE CONTROL. VEHICLE MILEAGE WAS 31000 MILES AT LOSS OF THIRD SENSOR. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AT THE TIME OF ALL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 26, 2020

2015 MERCEDES SOLERA SPRINTER RV. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RV BRAKE PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED DURING A TEST DRIVE AT LO SPEEDS IN THE CITY, HE FOUND THE RV HAD A SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. IT WASN'T UNTIL AFTER HE PURCHASED THE RV THE SPONGY BRAKES WERE VERY NOTICEABLE WHEN TRYING TO STOP FROM…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 1, 2015

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · November 19, 2020

THIS IS A WINNEBAGO VIEW 24G ON SPRINTER 3500 CHASSIS. WHILE HIGHWAY DRIVING, SUDDEN ABS AND ESP WARNING LIGHT WITH MESSAGE TO GO TO WORKSHOP. CRUISE CONTROL STOPS WORKING. LOSS OF POWER AND SHIFTING ABILITY IS INTERMITTENT. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE (WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL AND WITH WARNING LIGHTS ON) FOR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 3, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500. WHILE ROTATING THE SEATS, THE SEAT BELT AND AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · July 20, 2016

2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 — common questions

Is the 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 63 complaints put the 2015 model at #3 of 18 Sprinter 3500 years. It is one of the Sprinter 3500 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2015 Sprinter 3500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (14 complaints), brakes (13 complaints), speed control (12 complaints).

Does the 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sprinter 3500 years to avoid are 2016, 2014, 2015, 2013, 2019, 2017, 2012, 2018, 2011, 2010. The cleanest record among Sprinter 3500 years belongs to 2007.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.