The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message “Driver’s Side Air Bag Deactivated” was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the wiring harness needed to be rewired. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted, and the message was displayed. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a voltage issue; however, the dealer stated that the vehicle was operating normally. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for another diagnostic test; however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that there was a wiring issue that needed to be corrected and that the air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000.
The worst 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Brakes3
- Suspension3
- Acceleration1
- Airbags1
- Steering1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes3
- Suspension3
- Acceleration1
- Airbags1
- Steering1
Recalls 16
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
- What is wrong
- Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The instrument cluster illumination may not be adjustable and appear too bright in certain lighting conditions. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."
- Risk
- A display that is too bright can make it difficult for the driver to see critical safety information, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 31, 2025. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1‑877‑762‑8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3BELKOM.
Recall number 24V930000 · Recall details
Structure: critical fasteners
- What is wrong
- Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The longitudinal frame members may be missing reinforcement fasteners, reducing vehicle stability and decreasing the structural integrity of the third-row seats.
- Risk
- Reduced stability increases the risk of a crash. Additionally, the third-row seat mountings can fail, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and repair the frame members as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 4, 2024. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1‑877‑762‑8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3ROHRAH.
Recall number 23V875000 · Recall details
Structure: critical fasteners
- What is wrong
- Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and 2019-2021 Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The partition wall may be missing bolts, allowing the wall to detach during a crash.
- Risk
- A detached partition wall can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and secure the partition wall as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 16, 2024. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1‑877‑762‑8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3TREWAN.
Recall number 23V876000 · Recall details
Structure: body
- What is wrong
- Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and 2021 Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The topcoat paint formula may cause the windows and interior lashing rails to be insufficiently bonded to the vehicle.
- Risk
- An insufficiently bonded window can detach during a crash, and objects secured to an insufficiently bonded interior lashing rail can detach, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the paint adhesion and repair it as necessary, free of charge. Depending on the extent of any damage, DVUSA may offer to repurchase the vehicle. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed February 5, 2024. Owner notification letters were mailed November 4, 2024. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1‑877‑762‑8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3LACKHA.
Recall number 23V806000 · Recall details
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
- What is wrong
- Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and 2019-2021 Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The instrument cluster may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started.
- Risk
- A blank instrument panel will not show critical information, such as vehicle speed, fuel gauge, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the instrument cluster software on the affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 5, 2023. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1‑877‑762‑8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3KOMBAUS.
Recall number 23V204000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: internal: park pawl
- What is wrong
- Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles equipped with a manual parking brake and 7-speed automatic transmission. The guide bushing on the parking pawl may fatigue, which can cause the parking pawl not to engage and result in vehicle rollaway.
- Risk
- Vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the software of the electronic stability, transmission control, direct select module, and electronic ignition switch control units, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2023. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1‑877‑762‑8267. DVUSA's numbers for this recall are 22V2790611, 22V2790612, and 22V2790613.
Recall number 22V796000 · Recall details
Communication: auto crash notification
- What is wrong
- Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Freightliner Sprinter, Mercedes-Benz Metris, and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. An error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system.
- Risk
- A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- The communication module software will be updated through an Over-the-Air (OTA) update, or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 13, 2022. Owners may contact DVUSA at 1‑877‑762‑8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS2SIMKOM/VS3SIMKOM.
Recall number 22V360000 · Recall details
Back over prevention: display function
- What is wrong
- Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Freightliner Sprinter and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The rearview camera may not display the rearview image due to a software error. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Risk
- An inoperable rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 20, 2022. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1‑877‑762‑8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3KOMRUE.
Recall number 22V281000 · Recall details
Suspension: front: springs: torsion bar
- What is wrong
- Daimler Vans USA, LLC. (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The shim on the torsion bar was installed incorrectly during assembly.
- Risk
- An incorrectly assembled torsion bar may fail at the connection between the torsion bar and linkage, resulting in a loss of vehicle stability, and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will correct the position of the shim and replace the torsion bar linkages, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 16, 2022. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1‑877‑762‑8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3VADREH.
Recall number 22V131000 · Recall details
Equipment: other: labels
- What is wrong
- Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) may be improperly stated on the tire and loading label. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 120, "Wheels and Rims-Other Than Passenger Cars."
- Risk
- The operator may overload the vehicle, resulting in excessive tire wear and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace, as necessary, the tire and loading information label. Additionally, tires will be inspected for excessive wear and replaced as necessary. All repairs will be conducted free of charge. Interim owner notifications were mailed to owners on March 4, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 21, 2022. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1‑877‑762‑8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3RE58HIN.
Recall number 22V073000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The front axle fender liner and brake hose may be too close, allowing the fender liner to contact and damage the brake hose.
- Risk
- A damaged brake hose may leak brake fluid, extending the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the condition and clearance of the brake hose, modify the fender liner trim, and replace the brake hose as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 4, 2022. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1‑877‑762‑8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3BAURAVE.
Recall number 21V933000 · Recall details
Structure
- What is wrong
- Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The spring-loaded rear step bolt fasteners were not properly tightened.
- Risk
- Loose bolt fasteners may allow the rear step to separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will tighten the bolt fasteners and replace the console and attaching hardware, free of charge. Owners notification letters were mailed February 11, 2022. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1‑877‑762‑8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3HECKTRI.
Recall number 21V934000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring
- What is wrong
- Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. A cable duct may drop out of place due to unlatched engagement hooks inside the battery case. This may cause the starter-generator wiring harness to chafe against the transmission carrier, which could result in an electrical short-circuit.
- Risk
- An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the engagement hooks on the affected cable duct with expanding rivets, free of charge. The recall began on November 2, 2021. Owners may contact DVUSA's customer service at 1‑877‑762‑8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3KABKAN.
Recall number 21V779000 · Recall details
Seat belts: rear/other: retractor
- What is wrong
- Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Metris, and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles equipped with Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) seat belt assemblies. The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these assemblies fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Risk
- An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 21, 2021. Owners may contact DVUSA's customer service at 1‑877‑762‑8267.
Recall number 21V513000 · Recall details
Air bags: passenger side frontal: cushion
- What is wrong
- Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling 2019-2021 Mercedes Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles equipped with swivel seats. The wiring harnesses for the front seats may have been routed incorrectly and could become jammed and damaged in the swivel seat frames.
- Risk
- Damage to the wiring harness can prevent the side air bag within the seat to deploy inadvertently or not deploy as designed, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will attach the mounting clip to the correct position, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 11, 2021. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1‑877‑762‑8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3DREHSEL.
Recall number 21V410000 · Recall details
Electrical system: software
- What is wrong
- Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The MBUX multimedia system software may cause the display to remain black, or reboot after startup. This could result in the rearview camera image not displaying properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Risk
- A backup camera that displays a blank image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy
- The multimedia system software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. DVUSA issued owners an interim notification on July 23, 2021. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1‑877‑762‑8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3UXPOBOX.
Recall number 21V411000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 134
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- In our continuing efforts to assure the proper performance of our products and to ensure the satisfaction...
- Sprinter 907 ‑ Oil leak in area of wheel hub / rear axle shaft Complaint Oil leak in the area of the wheel hub
- EGR Valve Diagnosis & Cleaning (and EGR Cooler Cleaning) – OM642, Sprinter 906/907 Complaint Complaint A:...
- Acoustic Warning or message occurring when a closed sliding door is not recognized
- Brakes may lock up when reversing at slow speeds, 907 vehicles with modification year (XJ4) Complaint When...
- Roof‑mounted air conditioning system HK4 does not cool/cools poorly Complaint Roof‑mounted air...
- Customer or dealer wishes to store a 907 Sprinter for an extended period (longer than 20 days)
- Sprinter 907 with 725.0 (NAG3 Classic) Transmission ‑ Shudder during acceleration Complaint Shudder may be...
- Brakes may lock up when reversing at slow speeds Complaint When reversing slowly, the vehicle erroneously...
- Fuel Level Unchanged After Refueling Complaint The
See all 134 bulletins for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500
What 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Mercedes Dealership is refusing to get the vehicle in to make this safety recall repair in a timely manner. I have been told that i will need to wait for over a month just to drop the vehicle off with no time frame given in terms of how long the vehicle will be gone while being repaired.
I am writing to formally raise a critical safety concern regarding the performance and behavior of the Crosswind Assist system in my 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500, upfitted by Airstream as a B-Class RV. This vehicle, identified by VIN [XXX] , exhibited behavior that I believe constitutes a significant and potentially dangerous flaw in its integrated driver-assistance programming. During a westbound trip from Minnesota to Nevada—traversing high-wind corridors in South Dakota, Wyoming, and Utah—the Crosswind Assist system activated on multiple occasions while overtaking large trucks during gusty wind conditions. The system appeared to override driver input by abruptly applying the brakes and modulating throttle response. On one particular occasion, this intervention forced our vehicle laterally toward a semi-truck in the adjacent lane while simultaneously initiating a hard brake event. This caused not only a near side-impact collision but also a chain reaction behind us, as trailing vehicles panic-braked, narrowly avoiding a rear-end collision. This level of autonomous intervention, especially under highway-speed wind shear, presents what I consider a severe safety risk to occupants and other motorists. No reasonable amount of driver anticipation, route planning, or wind-speed awareness could have prevented the unintended and forceful application of braking and steering commands we experienced. Upon referring to the owner’s manual and engaging in discussions on several Airstream and Sprinter-owner forums, I discovered that other owners have experienced similar incidents. Some users referenced the ability to disable the system through authorized Mercedes-Benz diagnostic software. Based on this information, I scheduled a service appointment at Mercedes-Benz of Farmington, Utah on March 17, service invoice [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
My van has periodic lack of acceleration or dead pedal. There are no warnings that this will occur. This shows itself when trying to advance from a stopped position. When I push the accelerator the van either does not move at all or barely crawls forward. This can last 15-45 seconds. There are no RPMs from the engine. Once the pedal starts to respond, the issue will resolve. The problem is you need to get to that point where the engine can make rated power. Once you put in in drive, and if you're able to idle away from the parking spot, you may find that when you need power to move up a hill or through an intersection, it just isn't there. You can't wait a minute with your foot to the floor when you're in the middle of an intersection. sometimes it will slowly accelerate. This has caused multiple situations where I thought I was going to die due to being out in cross traffic and failing to be able to move. It happens both in reverse and forward. It happens even though I have warmed up the engine for 5 minutes or more. It seems to happen more at altitude but has also happened at sea level. It doesn't seem to matter if the outdoor temperature is warm or cold. The dealer can not detect a problem. I have read many accounts of this happening on MBZ forums. This must be a known issue with MBZ yet they have failed to solve it. Some think it is a sensor initiation issue after a cold soak. Someone is going to die because of this problem if MBZ is not forced to fix it.
I started my Sprinter, which was converted into a Grech RV, and while still in park a few seconds later, the vehicle started to move. Before I could hop back in the driver's seat to stop the vehicle, it crashed into my garage overhang and significantly damaged my Sprinter's back doors and back structure. How it started to move was a complete mystery to me as it was in park and I had just started the vehicle a few seconds prior. While doing some research, I saw an article in an auto blog forum about Sprinter Van roll-aways. I then received a safety recall notice from Mercedes about this very issue that I experienced. This involves the federal safety agency Recall #22V796. The incident was reported to my insurance company and the vehicle is currently awaiting repair. Thankfully, no one was injured.
My vehicle is listed as one of the 2100+ sprinter vans affected by the incorrect assembly of the torsion bar(Manufacturer Recall Number 2022030013; the federal safety agency Recall Number 22V131). This recall was issued on March 17, 2022. It has now been over 120 days since that recall was issued and the parts are not yet available. I believe the manufacturer has exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes- Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V131000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes Benz Sprinter. The contact received a notification for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V131000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Compare the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500
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Questions about the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500
Is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 reliable?
Owners have filed 8 complaints about the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500, fewer than a typical Sprinter 3500 model year.
What is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 year score?
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 scores 81 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500?
Brakes, with 3 complaints. Next is suspension (3).
How many recalls does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 have?
16 recalls, covering electrical system, structure and power train.
Was there a recall on the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 brakes?
Yes, 1 recall: 21V933000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 have bad brakes?
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 model years with the most brakes complaints are 2014 (15 complaints) and 2016 (14 complaints).
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