2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Jan 21, 2021 · Acceleration · 40,000 miles · FL

For the third time the esp and ABS system warning message is shown, at first the speed of the vehicle increases, in this case from the set 60 MPH to 70, at which point I shut the cruise control down. From then on for the rest of the days travel c.a.200 miles and for the rest of the trip (450 miles) cruise control was inoperative. Each time it happens a mechanic visit is necessary. The vehicle is a winnebago navion

Filed Jan 4, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 13,200 miles · FL

Driving on a dry day, smooth road, with cruise control on 65mph at 7:45pm. This vehicle is converted with a thor 24hl camper on the chassis. Five hours into the days drive the vehicle flashed asr/esp triangle - and jerked abruptly but instantaneously but remained on cruise control. 2 seconds later: ABS light on, asr/bas light on, esp light on cruise control stopped functioning (fyi - a very heavy accelerator pedal spring makes driving difficult, for hours on end, without cruise working - especially for the older drivers likely to be driving this rig.) pulled off the side of the road, set flashers, and turned off engine for one min hoping to reset the fault. Turned back on - no change off then back on and the yellow check engine came on steady along with three previous auction lights (above) vehicle had experienced (with the previous owner) a previous 'wheel speed sensor failure' and it was repaired. . 'wheel speed sensor failure' appear at epidemic levels on the two rv facebook groups associated with this vehicle. The 5th key turn after initial fault and failure of cruise control the three lights went out but the check engine light remained on. On approximately the tenth key turn the check engine light went out. Vehicle returned for service at mercedes dealership 'under warranty'. My issue lays in the potential for the vehicle to enter into the limp mode if another censor shows a fault and I'm on the alaska highway 200 miles from the nearest possible service. Dealer refuses to share tech data concerning reset of fault condition or a mercedes fix for this now well known and documented vehicle shortcoming. This issue can and will get people killed as they 'limp' down the highway to get serviced or are forced to pull over in heavy traffic to check out what mercedes should be warning is all about proactively.

Filed Nov 9, 2020 · Acceleration, Brakes · 3,000 miles · FL

When I went to try the 4 wheel drive the following things happened: a clunking sound in the rear of the vehicle. Numerous warning lights came on . Abs, collision avoidance, cruise control, check engine, ESC or esp. Over time the lights cleared but came back on weeks apart. I am a retired nasa safety/reliably engineer. In my opinion all of these lights come on as a result of failures of one or more wheel speed sensors. This is a major safety problem as when there is a failed or intermittent operation of a failed speed sensor. All of these safety systems fail when the one sensor fails. This failure could occur unexpectedly at any time. Leading to loss of lives and vehicle. I have not received any warning letters on this major safety failure. According to the dealer mercedes is aware of this issue. After the vehicle is out of warranty mercedes says they will charge the owner to fix it. At the very least the issue clearly necessitates that this issue be elevated, to consumers, and that the issue be fixed . A warning that describes the issue and mercedes status on a fix should go out to all the appropriate parties immediately. The vehicle was stopped put in neutral then 4 wheel drive was engaged, immediately when moving there was a big clunk and the warning lights came on. They went out then came back on intermittently for months. One time they came on just sitting at the light. Failure of multiple safety systems due to a sensor failure is unacceptable. I believe a design fix is urgently needed and should be pressed for hard by the government. Currently there is no fix. And mercedes is not adequately warning the public of the issue. Until I pressed mercedes hard on this intermittent problem I was not made aware of what exactly the problem was. The failure of one sensor speed causes multiple safety systems to not work.

Filed Nov 5, 2020 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 18,600 miles · MD

Third-time speed sensor failed while driving ' all 3 times while driving on highway. Causes the vehicle to speed up / slow down and lurch with the engine doing high revs. Cruise control become inoperable. Abs, forward collision, and parking sensors become inoperable. Brakes perform erratically for several moments and then ABS indicates it is inoperable. Van becomes hazardous to drive while the electronics attempt to sort out what is going on. Very glad I was not in congested traffic each time this happens as the van becomes unstable. M-benz solution is to replace sensor ' this does not seem safe nor viable long term fix.

Filed Oct 26, 2020 · Acceleration, Brakes · 18,000 miles · CT

Driving along in cruise control around 65 MPH all of a sudden cruise control stops working and vehicle bucks quite a bit,very startling.then I notice on dashboard the so called three stooges lights appear.this was my first encounter around 18,000 mi.august 2020.problem fixed in ct under warranty. Two months later driving through virginia,same stooge lights appear in the mountains shifting erratically.called m b tech, very helpful,directed me to mercedes benz of fredericksburg va 77 miles away.inconvenienced but grateful work was done under warranty.I believe this is a hazard on the roads and should be a recall.

Filed Oct 5, 2020 · Acceleration, Brakes · 25,000 miles · NC

Wheel speed sensor failure caused vehicle to disable cruise control, ABS brake system and put the transmission in limp mode. Cannot accelerate more than 25 MPH on the interstate. Was travelling at 62 MPH when event occured. Frightening experience!

Filed Jun 29, 2020 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 9,659 miles · TN

Driving along on cruise control. Cruise control deactivates, anti-lock, traction control and anti-skid lights come on. I stop the vehicle, the transmission wanders between gears jerking. I go to mb dealership they replace r rear speed sensor mileage:9659miles. At 12,060 miles the same thing happens. I drivea five hour round trip to mb dealer, they replace the l rear speed sensor. At 17,000 miles (now off warranty) all the lamps are on again, the transmission will not shift into drive and I face a 133 mile tow to knoxville, tn mercedes dealership.