2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500: stuck in gear or won't shift

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 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 Jul 7, 2020 · Wheels · 48,000 miles · FL

Have had three different wheel sensors go out causing engine to go into limp mode resulting in hazardous driving conditions. Most mercedes dealers cannot do this service. This is a dangerous fault that many have experienced and is a serious road safety hazard. In all instances I was driving vehicle on 'washboard' road conditions; once in I-70 wesrbound from kansas city.

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.

Filed Jul 16, 2019 · Driver assistance · 34,500 miles · MO

On february 14, 2019, we were driving our 2016 mercedes-benz sprinter 3500 rv in heavy traffic during a rainstorm in spring hill, florida. Multiple dash warning lights came on indicating the vehicle ABS braking system had failed. The vehicle began shifting very erratically while we were in traffic. The vehicle eventually would not shift out of first gear which placed us in a very dangerous situation as we tried to get out of the traffic stream and find a safe place to park the vehicle. We had to have the vehicle towed approximately 35 miles to the nearest mercedes-benz sprinter service center in wesley chapel, florida. They ultimately determined that one of the vehicle?s rear speed sensors had failed and they replaced it. The repairs were made under mercedes-benz warranty. Speed sensor failure on the mercedes-benz sprinter 3500 has been previously reported by others under the federal safety agency id numbers 11196530,11138785,11124129, 11093070.

Filed Apr 15, 2019 · Driver assistance, Transmission · 8,500 miles · FL

Rear wheel speed sensor failure. Can cause vehicle to surge uncommanded. Vehicle enters limited or limp mode. Some features / functions are disabled. While stationary vehicle attempted to accelerate (surge) in spite of driver brake application. Vehicle has had this failure two times once for each rear wheel sensor failure.

Filed Oct 6, 2018 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 11,500 miles · NC

At 12000 miles, both rear wheel speed sensors failed causing multiple indicator panel alarms, spongy braking and drivetrain/transmission to stick in a gear, ie. Would not shift gears (stuck in first gear on interstate at one point). *dt the consumer stated the transmission suddenly downshifted. Both the rear RPM sensors were replaced.