Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Freightliner Sprinter 3500, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Power train1
- Vehicle speed control1
- Service brakes1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Recalls
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.
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.
Midway Specialty Vehicles (Midway) is recalling one 2016 Freightliner Sprinter vehicle modified to be equipped with a Ricon Titanium Wheelchair Lift. The wheelchair lift positioning input cam may fail while the lift is in use, allowing the platform to travel higher than the vehicle's floor height. As such, this vehicle fails to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 403, "Platform Lift Systems."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Freightliner told its dealers about the 2016 Freightliner Sprinter 3500: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11011223 | SMOG/Emissions Test fail due to one or more Readiness Monitors not set Complaint: The vehicle has failed the State Emissions Certification because one or more of the OBDII readiness monitors are not completely set. Cause: One or more of the following Readiness Monitors are not fully set within XENTRY: Misfire Monitoring - Injection System Fuel System Monitoring - Injection System, Fuel System, EGR Valve, O2 Sensor NMHC Catalyst Monitoring - NMHC/Diesel Oxidation Catalyst NOx Aftertreatment Monitoring - SCR Catalyst System Boost Pressure System Monitoring - Turbocharger, Charge Air System Exh |
| 11001114 | Complaint A: The engine is jolting/bucking between 1700 and 1900 rpm. Complaint B: One or more mechanical related fault codes for EGR Valve stored in CDI control unit, with possible Check Engine Light. Review list of mechanical fault codes in table below. NOTE: If one or more electrical related fault codes for EGR Valve are also present in CDI, utilize Complaint C. Review list of electrical fault codes PDF document in attachments. Complaint C: One or more electrical related fault codes for EGR Valve stored in CDI control unit, with possible Check Engine Light. Review list of electrical fault c |
| 10228805 | Problem: Vehicle fails smog test Cause In the event the Engine Control Module (CDI) detects a fault with the Water Pump Short Circuit to Battery diagnostic, Fault Code P260312 and/or P260315 may set and prevent the readiness monitor from running. Even following a successful repair and/or clearing the Fault Code(s), the readiness monitor remains deactivated and self-healing is not possible. This deactivation may prevent the vehicle from passing state emissions inspection and SMOG Test and is only resolvable by installing new engine control unit software. Remedy 1. Perform XENTRY Qui |
| 10228611 | Software Update - Water Pump Diagnostics |
| 10227139 | SMOG Test will not complete successfully. NOTE: Customers may come to dealership as instructed by ISP (Independent Service Provider) based on instructions from a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin). Access to the TSBs can be found via https://www.obdclearinghouse.com/ or by viewing the TSBs in the attachments area of this LI. Cause In the event the Engine Control Module (CDI) detects a fault with the Water Pump Short Circuit to Battery diagnostic, Fault Code P260312 and/or P260315 may set and prevent the readiness monitor from running. Even following a successful repair and/or clearing th |
| 10212902 | Modification to the emission control system. |
| 10212897 | Modification to the emission control system. |
| 10181196 | Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (?MBUSA?) has entered into an agreement with the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and the California Attorney General?s Office (CA AG) regarding the emission control system in certain MercedesBenz diesel vehicles. As part of this agreement, MBUSA will offer field measures referred to as the Approved Emission Modification (?AEM?) for the affected vehicles. As a result, certain vehicles covered under this notification cannot be sold or caused to be sold, or leased or cause to |
| 10156372 | Technical Publications Ordering |
| 10156360 | Reminder: Paper Service Bulletin Mailings Are Discontinued |
| 10156351 | Reminder: Paper Service Bulletin Mailings Are Discontinued |
| 10144086 | Status of Parts Ordering - Sprinter |
| 10143247 | Replace manufacturer informaton label. |
| 10134831 | Status of Parts Ordering - Sprinter |
| 10130370 | FMI 3,4,5 Digital Output 2 10 Circuit |
| 10128813 | 14TL5 ABS Power Line Carrier Converter Available Through PDC |
| 10128812 | 14TL2 DD Platform Engine Stand Adapter W060589023100 |
| 10128811 | 14TS19 DD Platform High Pressure Fuel Lines |
| 10128809 | 713-14 Symptom Diagnostics - Combustion Gas in Coolant |
| 10128808 | 715-14 Symptom Diagnostics - Coolant Los |
| 10128807 | 714-14 Symptom Diagnostics - Low Engine Compression |
| 10128806 | 712-14 Engine Coolant Temperature |
| 10128789 | 14-028 Remy Extended Coverage Direct File |
| 10128788 | 14-027 Detroit's New Consolidated Labor Operations (CLOs |
| 10128787 | 14-026-DLR SelecTruck Warranty Enhancements |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation