What Freightliner Sprinter 3500 owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Freightliner Sprinter 3500 safety recalls or check your VIN.
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA, by the model year of the vehicle. A high count can also mean a popular year, so compare it with how many were sold.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injured | Deaths | TSBs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 72 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 75 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 66 |
| 2021 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 74 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 67 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| 2017 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 106 |
| 2016 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 112 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 111 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 111 |
| 2013 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 108 |
| 2012 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 108 |
| 2011 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 108 |
| 2010 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 111 |
The vehicle systems named most often in Freightliner Sprinter 3500 complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
THE VEHICLE DASH BOARD HAD 4 {ECM, ABS, TRACTION AND SKID} LIGHTS, REDUCED SPEED TO 20MPH ON THE HIGHWAY RPM INCREASED OVER 3000 LOST ABILITY FOR ABS, STEARING CONTROL AND SPEED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS P003A AND P0037 POINTING TO BOTH REAR WHEEL SPEED SONSORS.
ABS SPEED SENSOR, TRACTION REAR SPEED SENSOR FAULT CODE C0037 AND C003A. SPEED REDUCES TO 20MPH HIGH ENGINE RPM REV OVER 3000 RPM
RV motor shutdowns on freeways. Needed towed to different rv repair shops. No place I went to could repair right.
WHILE DRIVING USING CRUISE CONTROL, THE SPEED WAS INCREASING 15 MPH PAST THE SETTING. I WAS ABLE TO STOP BY USING THE BRAKE. THEN ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. AFTER THAT IT WOULDN'T SHIFT RIGHT, IT WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO A HIGH GEAR AND IT WOULD BE HARD TO GET MOVING FROM A STOP. I HAD TO DRIVE TO A DEALER SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES AND IT WAS QUITE HARROWING. OF COURSE THEY COULDN'T WORK ON IT FOR 3 DAYS SO WE RENTED A CAR TO GO BACK HOME 400 MILES. THE PROBLEM WAS A REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED IN LESS THAN 5 MONTHS, ONCE IN VIRGINIA WITH 36410 MILES ON IT AND AGAIN IN NEBRASKA WITH 40621 MILES. IT CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE SOMETIMES THERE IS NO SHOU…
AT 5,600 MILES, TRAVELING WEST BOUND ON I-68 IN WESTERN MARYLAND NEAR EXIT 62. SPRINTER DANGEROUSLY AND UNCONTROLLABLY ACCELERATED AND DECELERATED RAPIDLY SHIFTED GEARS. I SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND DRIFTED TO AN OFF RAMP. DASH LIGHTS INDICATED THREE PROBLEMS ABS, SWERVE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL. SHUT DOWN ENGINE AND RESTARTED - SAME RESULT. DISCONNECTED BATTERY THEN RECONNECTED - SAME RESULT. CONNECTED A SCANNER WHICH INDICATED RIGHT REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILURE. CONTACTED SELLING DEALER SHOP MANAGER AND WAS ADVISED THERE WAS NO WORK-AROUND AND STATED I SHOULD HAVE IT TOWED TO NEAREST FREIGHTLINER DEALER IN APPROXIMATELY 70 MILES AWAY. AFTER DRIVING VERY SLOWLY…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND FUEL PRESSURE LOW WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EXCEL TRUCK GROUP OF COLUMBIA (2790 SHOP RD, COLUMBIA, SC 29209) AND WAS REPAIRED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DISCLOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,402. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE SENSOR WAS BAD AND HAD IT REPLACED AT THE TUNE OF $1455.41. THE CONSUMER WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIRS. *TR
LEFT TAILLIGHT WORKS ONLY SOMETIMES. AS RECALL ON PREVIOS RECALLS. LEFT TAILLIGHT SOMETIMES WORKS AND IS GETTING WATER IN SYSTEM. VERY DIM WHEN DOES WORK. *DT *AS
THE HANDLING OF THIS VEHICLE IS VERY UNSTABLE AT 50 MILES HOUR OR LESS. WIND COULD BE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS. OTHER VEHICLES DID NOT APPEAR TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM, AS THEY WOULD PASS US AND NOT TO HAPPY THAT WE COULDN'T DRIVE FASTER.
Repair instructions and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about known issues. A TSB is not a recall, and the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty; ask your dealer for the bulletin number.
Brakes may lock up when reversing at slow speeds Complaint When reversing slowly, the vehicle erroneously triggers an emergency braking event, causing the brakes to lock up. Engine may not start following a key cycle. Cause The vehicle triggers a maneuvering or emergency braking event while reversing. The customer must then immediately park the vehicle (ignition Switched OFF) The hydraulic pressure release process within the ESP control unit may not be completed. Remedy Updating the software release of the RVC177 reversing camera
Sprinter 907 with 725.0 (NAG3 Classic) Transmission â Shudder during acceleration Complaint Shudder may be felt in the following situations: ⢠accelerating from stop or up hill ⢠during upshifts Cause Under Investigation, possible torque converter clutch operation
Unavailability of MB Apps Complaint A popup is seen on the HU with the message "data connection temporarily not available". Cause MB Apps is officially sundowned for all vehicles with NTG5 Head Unit Variant. Remedy No support available for NTG5 Head Unit Variants for MB App related topics.
Complaint While driving through muddy / sandy/ off road terrain "4Matic Currently Unavailable" message on the dash Cause This vehicle is not equipped with a fixed force distribution AWD, rather force is only applied to the front axle according to ESP calculations. As per GF28.00âDâ 9900A: "vehicles with 4MATIC allâwheel system and variable force distribution, an electronically regulated multiplate clutch integrated into the transfer case provides for the torque distribution. If the multiplate clutch is open during normal driving operation, only the rear axle drives the vehicle. If the cl
Mercedes-Benz AG (âMBAGâ), the manufacturer of Freightliner Sprinter vehicles, has determined that on certain MY17-18 Freightliner Sprinter vehicles, the diesel particulate filter may crack due to an insufficient weld. MBAG also determined that specific environmental influences in the form of corrosion could have a negative effect on the long-term durability of the diesel particulate filter. This can lead to stresses within the exhaust system which could cause the diesel particulate filter to crack. In addition, in individual cases, it is possible that during repairs to the exhaust system
Complaint The coolant warning lamp may be displayed in the instrument cluster. The malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) may also be illuminated. Cause Moisture or corrosion may be present in the connector of the lowâtemperature circuit switchover valve (Y97/6) or coolant pump 1 (M75/11). Remedy Inspect the connectors and pins at the lowâtemperature circuit switchover valve and coolant pump 1 for moisture, corrosion, or terminal damage. If moisture, corrosion, or terminal damage is found, replace the affected connector or wiring harness and the corresponding component as required. If available
OM654 Engine Oil Consumption Complaint The customer may report repeated low engine oil level warnings in the instrument cluster. The customer may also state that engine oil must be added between scheduled maintenance intervals. During diagnosis, oil residue may be observed at the oil filler neck, cylinder head cover, crankcase ventilation connection, charge air pipes, charge air cooler, intake tract, or turbocharger area. In some cases, the complaint may be accompanied by increased diesel particulate filter (DPF) regeneration frequency or aftertreatmentârelated fault entries. Cause Increased
Oil Leak at Crankcase Near the High-pressure Fuel Pump OM654 Complaint Visible oil leak at the crankcase near the mounting area of the highâpressure fuel pump on OM654 engines. Cause Oil leakage near the highâpressure fuel pump may result from insufficient sealing performance of the jump shaft seal and/or reduced sealing effectiveness at the interface between the highâpressure fuel pump and crankcase. Relative movement of the highâpressure fuel pump within the crankcase bore may reduce sealing effectiveness at the pumpâtoâcrankcase interface and promote oil migration during engine
Complaint Low Coolant warning with possible engine misfire caused by a leaking Charge Air Cooler (Intercooler), accompanied by one or more of the following possible fault codes related to the coolant system: P30040B: Component 'Temperature sensor downstream of charge air cooler' has an open circuit or short circuit to positive. P25567B: Sensor 'Coolant level' has a malfunction. The fluid level is too low. Cause The potential causes for this topic are: A. A leak in the Coolant System, other than the Charge Air Cooler. B. An Internal leak of the Charge Air Cooler. C. An unapproved/aftermarket up
An authorized Mercedes-Benz eSprinter dealer will update the drivetrain control unit on the affected vehicles. An authorized Mercedes-Benz Sprinter dealer will update the engine control unit on the affected vehicles.
Model 907 with all-wheel drive (A4M) â All-wheel drive inoperative Complaint The customer may report one or more of the following: ⢠All-wheel drive is unavailable or inoperative. ⢠Rear wheel slip during acceleration on low-traction surfaces. ⢠Noise from the front axle area while driving. ⢠Message in the instrument cluster indicating all-wheel drive is unavailable due to overheating. ⢠Fault code P27874B - The temperature of the clutch is too high. There is a fault due to overtemperature may be stored in control unit N15 (Transfer Case). Cause An internal failure of the front ax
ASSYST PLUS service reminder appears earlier than expected due to vehicle operating conditions Complaint The ASSYST PLUS service reminder appears earlier than expected. The customer or dealer may report that the vehicle did not reach the starting maintenance interval shown in vehicle documentation, option coding, sales literature, or the Owner's Manual. The service reminder may appear significantly earlier than anticipated even though no faults are stored and no malfunction is present in the vehicle. The remaining distance and remaining time continue to decrease normally until the service
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opens these when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Many end in a recall.
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 20
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation public data (complaints, manufacturer communications, investigations), model years 2010 and later. Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA.
In complaints filed with NHTSA for model years 2010–2024, owners most often name: service brakes, vehicle speed control, exterior lighting. 10 complaints are on record.
No. A complaint is an unverified report from an owner. A technical service bulletin (TSB) is the manufacturer telling dealers how to fix a known issue; it is not a safety recall and is usually covered only under warranty. A recall is a formal safety action, and its repair is free.
File a vehicle safety complaint at NHTSA.gov. NHTSA reads every report, and patterns of complaints are what open defect investigations and, eventually, recalls.