Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Forward collision avoidance1
- Power train1
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 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.
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 Mercedes-Benz told its dealers about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500: 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 |
| 10235073 | Emissions. |
| 10232323 | Complaint MIL illuminated. Fault codes for 'position sensor of crankshaft' in combination with fault codes for 'Output stage fuel injectors' are set in the CDI control unit. |
| 10232322 | Complaint Engine runs irregularly and it shakes. Indicator lamp lights up. Information: Fault codes for injectors and/or combustion misfires may be stored in the CDI control unit: On engine 642 cylinder 6 is affected. On engine 651 cylinder 2 is affected. Cause Charge air from the exhaust gas recirculation is condensed after being introduced into the charge air section. Information: Under certain operating conditions, condensation that has collected in the charge air cooler can enter the combustion chamber to a damaging degree and a damage profile is then generated (connecting rod be |
| 10231020 | Complaint Various issues including control unit programming procedure will not complete successfully/no newer software found, communication faults, or sporadic malfunction of systems. Cause Aftermarket CAN device could be installed into the vehicle's CAN network. Such devices can be but are not limited to, remote start modules, CAN blockers, or high idle modules. Remedy A successful control unit programming session cannot be ensured while aftermarket devices are connected to the vehicle's CAN network. Some of the device companies supply a bypass to allow control unit programming. |
| 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 |
| 10228610 | 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 |
| 10220303 | 2020040001 |
| 10214960 | Complaint After installing new NOx sensors during the Approved Emission Modification (AEM), the Exhaust Aftertreatment Customer Service Measure in XENTRY/DAS displays incorrect NOx sensor part number values, X's, or no part numbers at all. The Approved Emission Modification (AEM) Exhaust Aftertreatment Customer Service Measure stops in error |
| 10212902 | Modification to the emission control system. |
| 10212897 | Modification to the emission control system. |
| 10207182 | Complaint Oil loss from engine or visible traces of oil in the engine compartment. Cause To be determined in each possible situation Remedy Procedure for cause analysis: 1. Clean the engine if necessary. 2. Apply leak tracing powder. 3. Perform a test drive. 4. Locate the oil leak. 5. Perform the repair in accordance with the specific WIS document appropriate for the cause of the oil leak. |
| 10206073 | Various complaints due to aftermarket OBDII device installed |
| 10206072 | "The monitor status this driving cycle (PID 41) can be displayed as disabled in the generic scan tool although no monitor of this group is disabled " |
| 10205221 | Headlamps and lamps fogged and/or leaking. |
| 10205151 | Coolant, vacuum, temperature fault codes. |
| 10202549 | Replace Wheel Speed Sensors |
| 10202548 | Replace Wheel Speed Sensors |
| 10191557 | Mercedes-Benz AG has determined that on certain Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles, the hydraulic power steering return line hoses may detach at their connection points under certain operating conditions and may cause hydraulic fluid to leak resulting in the loss of power steering. |
| 10187796 | Replace 3rd brake lamp, remove soft top compartment cover to access. |
| 10187793 | Mercedes-Benz AG (?MBAG?), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz, has determined that on certain Model Year (?MY?) 2013-2017 B-Class, C-Class, CLA-Class, CLS-Class, E-Class, G-Class, GL-Class, GLA-Class, GLC-Class, GLE-Class, GLK-Class, GLS-Class, GT-Class, M-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, and SLK-Class (117, 156, 166, 172, 190, 204, 205, 207, 212, 217, 218, 222, 231, 242, 253, 292, and 463 platform), the software for the PASS control unit does not meet current series production configuration and therefore the possibility exists that a correct GPS position cannot be determined in the control unit for l |
| 10186324 | Inspect Power Steering Hose Clamps |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation