2016 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

95

Owner Complaints

5 Crashes 4 Fires

16

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

8

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500

The 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500 has received a total of 95 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 20 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE. 8 technical service bulletins have been issued by Daimler Vans USA, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (12 complaints), Power Train (12 complaints), and Service Brakes (12 complaints).

Recalls for the 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500

NHTSA has recorded 20 recalls for the 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500, potentially affecting up to 470,491 vehicles.

Recall 21V042000 — ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE

| 48,667 vehicles affected

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...

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Recall 21V042000 — ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE

| 48,667 vehicles affected

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...

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Recall 21V042000 — ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE

| 48,667 vehicles affected

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...

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Recall 21V042000 — ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE

| 48,667 vehicles affected

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...

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Recall 20V663000 — STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

| 47,667 vehicles affected

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...

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Recall 20V663000 — STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

| 47,667 vehicles affected

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...

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Recall 19V003000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

| 71,301 vehicles affected

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...

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.

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Recall 19V004000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

| 88,388 vehicles affected

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...

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.

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Recall 18V113000 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

| 17 vehicles affected

Defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and Sprinter 3500 vehicles, equipped with folding seats (sales code S20). The unloaded vehicle weight (UVW) label on these incomplete vehicles may be incorrect.

Consequence: The incorrect UVW label can result in final stage manufacturers exceeding the maximum vehicle weight once the vehicle is completed. A vehicle that exceeds its maximum weight has an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the UVW label and inspect the vehicle to make sure that it is not overloaded, free of charge. The recall began on April 3, 2018. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at...

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Recall 17V592000 — POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

| 109 vehicles affected

Defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500/3500 vehicles. The affected vehicles were manufactured without a driveshaft catch strap, allowing a loose driveshaft to strike the fuel tank.

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 the missing catch strap for the driveshaft, free of charge. Daimler issued an interim notification to owners on November 17, 2017. The recall began on December 21, 2017. Owners may contact DVUSA...

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Recall 17V650000 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

| 2 vehicles affected

Defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The label on the B-pillar may state a higher maximum vehicle load capacity than the vehicle is designed for. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

Consequence: If the load capacity information is incorrect on the label, the vehicle may be overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will check the label and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 15, 2017. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

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Recall 17V786000 — EQUIPMENT

| 550 vehicles affected

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...

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...

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Recall 17V364000 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

| 1,257 vehicles affected

Defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2016 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with reinforced front axles. The affected vehicles have tire labels on the B-pillar that list a tire pressure that is too low.

Consequence: Operating the vehicle with low front tire pressures may result in tire damage, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, Freightliner Sprinter and Mercedes-Benz dealers will check and replace the tire label, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 5, 2017. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

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Recall 17V149000 — POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

| 892 vehicles affected

Defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles and Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The bracket for the center support bearing of the drive shaft may not have been properly welded.

Consequence: If the event of a crash, the bracket may detach and the drive shaft may damage the fuel system, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners and dealers will install three additional rivets to secure the bracket, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on May 5, 2017. The recall began on July 7, 2017. Owners...

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Recall 17V093000 — AIR BAGS

| 15,338 vehicles affected

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...

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.

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Recall 16V853000 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

| 28 vehicles affected

Defect: Midwest Automotive Designs, LLC (Midwest) is recalling certain model year 2016 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2016, to September 30, 2016, equipped with certain left side seat adjusters, model number 486077 manufactured by Atwood. The affected seat adjusters may allow the seats to move in the event of a crash. As such, these adjusters fail...

Consequence: If the seat moves in the event of a crash, the seat occupant would be at an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: Midwest will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left slide track, free of charge. The recall began on December 22, 2016. Owners may contact Midwest customer service at 1-574-522-4878.

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Recall 16V670000 — SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

| 271 vehicles affected

Defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain model year 2016 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured March 1, 2016, to May 31, 2016. The bolts connecting the lower seat belt connection to the rear bench seat may not have been properly tightened.

Consequence: If the bolts were not properly tightened, the seat belt may fail to secure the seat occupant in the event of a crash.

Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and Sprinter dealers will inspect the connecting bolts, tightening them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on November 18, 2016. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

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Recall 16V261000 — STRUCTURE:BODY

| 55 vehicles affected

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...

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.

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Recall 16V351000 — STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

| 3 vehicles affected

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.

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Recall 16V093000 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

| 2,278 vehicles affected

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.

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Owner Complaints for the 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500

95 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Most Recent Complaints

#11691967 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | N/A miles Fire
Unshielded rear-center generator exhaust pipe positioned with approx 12 in clearance above the ground, ignited the exterior of vehicle when generator operated, causing total loss. My safety as well as my pets was put at great risk due to this design and lack of shielding. The problem has not been reproduced of confirmed by dealer or independent service center, however the fact of such pipe getting hot, and nbeing related to the generator was recognized by the dealer. There were no warning lamps, warning stickers near the electronic start switch in the vehicle; no messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. The design foreseeably exposes owners to fire risk, given owners only recognize the exhaust from the rear side of the vehicle; assume if the engine is off no exhaust heats up enough to start a grass or other fire. But, the majority of owners like myself do not know of any other exhaust outside of the vehicle is present. The shocking 12 inch proximity from the ground; at the rear of a 25 ft vehicle typically parking in car spaces with an overhang of the rear behind the rear wheels or a curb is a ridiculous fire risk to all owners, and the surrounding community. This is a design flaw still inherent in that same vehicle today,
#11691967 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | | N/A miles Fire
Unshielded rear-center generator exhaust pipe positioned with approx 12 in clearance above the ground, ignited the exterior of vehicle when generator operated, causing total loss. My safety as well as my pets was put at great risk due to this design and lack of shielding. The problem has not been reproduced of confirmed by dealer or independent service center, however the fact of such pipe getting hot, and nbeing related to the generator was recognized by the dealer. There were no warning lamps, warning stickers near the electronic start switch in the vehicle; no messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. The design foreseeably exposes owners to fire risk, given owners only recognize the exhaust from the rear side of the vehicle; assume if the engine is off no exhaust heats up enough to start a grass or other fire. But, the majority of owners like myself do not know of any other exhaust outside of the vehicle is present. The shocking 12 inch proximity from the ground; at the rear of a 25 ft vehicle typically parking in car spaces with an overhang of the rear behind the rear wheels or a curb is a ridiculous fire risk to all owners, and the surrounding community. This is a design flaw still inherent in that same vehicle today,
#11624000 | STEERING | | N/A miles
Power steering return hose slipped off 1/2” and fluid leak. Has a recall, but not applicable to this vin. Although it appears to be effecting it? Secured line to best abilities.
#11590347 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH | | 200,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated while driving approximately 65-70 MPH, the hood unintendedly opened, striking the windshield. The contact pulled to the side of the road and became aware that the latch screws had detached; however, the latch was still welded to the vehicle. The contact was able to clamp the hood down with a ratchet. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V665000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The contact was referred by the Insurance provider to Safelite Auto Glass to have the windshield replaced. However, due to the damage done to the roof of the vehicle, the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle had not been repaired. The dealer was contacted and informed of the failure. The dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the ABS warning light and the electronic stability control warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that the motorhome was making abnormal clunking sounds. The contact was able to continue to drive at less than 30 MPH. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that one of the wheels must have failed to patch the ground. The manufacturer advised the contact to turn the vehicle on and off three times using the ignition key for the warning lights to disappear. The contact stated that he did so and the warning lights and warning messages disappeared; however, they reappeared the next day. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH and towing his Volkswagen vehicle, the transmission disengaged and the vehicle made an abnormal clunking sound. Then the transmission reengaged and disengaged causing the vehicle to lurch forward. The contact continued to drive the vehicle. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle the failure reoccurred. The RV was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the rear axle speed sensors, knock sensors needed to be replaced, and the recall repair for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V042000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) was completed. The contact also stated that the dealer cross-fired the speed sensors which caused the computer to not allow the vehicle to drive more than 35 MPH. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that while driving at 5 MPH, the vehicle leaned on his right side and crashed into a street sign. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was not filed. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, The warning lights reappeared and the vehicle leaned and hit the curb. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was not filed. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and offered the contract to trade the vehicle. The vehicl

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Safety Rating for the 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500 in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500

Daimler Vans USA, LLC has issued 8 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

NC3COD2ND — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

Modification to the emission control system.

Initial NCU-PDGH — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

Initial NCU-eCall Software Update

Pending Passenge — AIR BAGS

Passneger-side Airbag

LI32-25-N-069847 — SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE

Clunking/Rattle Noise from Rear Axle Area

LI47 00-N-067942 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

Check Engine Light Illuminated with Stored Fault Code P008700 in ME Control Unit N3/34 and or P008A00 in FSCU N118

Sprinter October — EQUIPMENT

Status of Parts Ordering - Sprinter

LI07.09-N-063338 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Coolant / Vacuum / Temperature fault codes - Check Engine Light with DTCs P003313, P0299FA, P0299FB, P226100, P261F71, P012800, and P012809

TSB 16-001 — WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

IN 2016, MERCEDES-BENZ RELEASED A NEW 2-PC FLANGE NUT WHEEL FASTENER (MERCEDES-BENZ P/N A 000 990 53 53) WHICH IS TALLER AND HAS A LARGER WASHER DIAMETER THAN THE PREVIOUS 2-PC FLANGE NUT (MERCEDES-BENZ P/N A 000 401 18 72) USED FOR MODEL YEARS 2007-2015. DUE TO THE CHANGE IN...

NHTSA Investigations for the 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500

Other MERCEDES-BENZ Models

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