This vehicle was subject to the federal safety agency Recall Number 19V003 involving failure of rear wheel speed sensors. The recall was completed by a dealer in April 2022 at 70,466 miles. At just under 90,000 miles in August 2026 a failure was indicated for the right rear wheel speed sensor. Error code C003A indicated on OBD-II scanner. This failure triggered ABS, ASR/ABS and EPS warning lights for functions including antilock braking, traction control and stability control. This also triggered a check engine light and speed control was disabled. The owners manual indicates a risk of accident. Dealer and MB says there is no additional warranty or action for the wheel speed sensor that repeatedly fails.
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 abs comes on
54 of the 313 owner complaints about the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 describe aBS light or ABS activating, most of them for the 2016 model year.
- owner complaints
- 54
- worst model year
- 2016
- typical repair cost reported
- $600
- typical mileage
- 23,000
By model year
Often reported together
Trouble codes mentioned
C003A 2C0037 1
What owners say
The ESP and ABS warning lights went on suddenly after what sounded like a thud. The car had not run over anything. There was some initial brief chattering of the break pedal, and that subsided. The car was not near a suitable and available repair shop at the time. It was driven to complete a trip. There were several instances of break pedal chattering that led concern about the controllability of the vehicle. During the trip, it was taken to a brake shop, and the technicians felt it was likely safe to drive. Eventually after the servicing dealer first replaced the front speed sensors, the ESP unit was found to be shorted. This event is of concern because the speed sensors on the rear have been replaced on recall and the front speed sensors have been granted an extended warrantee. Both feed into the ESP unit that failed. It seems possible the previously suspect parts may have damaged the ESP unit. There appears to be a safety issue with faulty break performance in this situation. The vehicle only had about 13,000 miles on the odometer. at the time of the event. Service an repair records are available upon request
We have a 2019 motorhome on a 2018 Mercedes Sprinter chassis. We are concerned about the wheel speed sensor failing. Three out of 4 sensors have already failed and been replaced on ours and Mercedes will not replace the 4th sensor until it fails. When this sensor fails it affects the ABS brakes and the braking distance is increased which can cause an accident. The cruise control is also affected and could increase speed on its own. The ESP can also be affected and can increase the risk of skidding and accidents. We have spoken to many other motorhome owners with the same chassis and they have also had problems with the sensors. Mercedes is aware of this problem and we feel they should replace all the sensors before they fail and cause a serious accident and injury or death. We would like to travel to remote areas of our country but haven't done so because there is no place to get the sensor replaced if it fails. We have spoken to Mercedes Benz of Sarasota FL and Mercedes Corporate and they are unwilling to do anything to replace the 4th sensor.
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the ABS warning light and the electronic stability control warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that the motorhome was making abnormal clunking sounds. The contact was able to continue to drive at less than 30 MPH. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that one of the wheels must have failed to patch the ground. The manufacturer advised the contact to turn the vehicle on and off three times using the ignition key for the warning lights to disappear. The contact stated that he did so and the warning lights and warning messages disappeared; however, they reappeared the next day. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH and towing his Volkswagen vehicle, the transmission disengaged and the vehicle made an abnormal clunking sound. Then the transmission reengaged and disengaged causing the vehicle to lurch forward. The contact continued to drive the vehicle. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle the failure reoccurred. The RV was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the rear axle speed sensors, knock sensors needed to be replaced, and the recall repair for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V042000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) was completed. The contact also stated that the dealer cross-fired the speed sensors which caused the computer to not allow the vehicle to drive more than 35 MPH. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that while driving at 5 MPH, the vehicle leaned on his right side and crashed into a street sign. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was not filed. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, The warning lights reappeared and the vehicle leaned and hit the curb. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was not filed. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and offered the contract to trade the vehicle. The vehicl
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the ABS, check engine, and cruise control warning lights illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact indicated that the vehicle was recently serviced under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V042000 (Electronic Stability Control) however, the failure occurred. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 18,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V042000 (Electronic Stability Control) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that while driving over a railroad track at a slow speed, the vehicle independently accelerated with the ABS, check engine, and traction control warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to safely stop the vehicle and shut-off the vehicle. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer. Due to the parts for the repair not being available, the dealer decided to place a new, yet defective, speed sensor on the vehicle as a temporary repair and the contact drove the vehicle back home. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact had called three separate dealers and it was confirmed that the part would not be available until the fourth quarter of 2021. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 23,580. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated while driving at 65 MPH, the cruise control disengaged as the ABS and ESP warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle over and read the owner's manual to get information on the failure. Upon restart, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 21V042000 (Electronic Stability Control) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was 5,500. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the rear wheel speed sensor failed causing the transmission to inadvertently downshift. The contact stated that the abs warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanic determined that the rear wheel speed sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred two years later. The contact was relating the failure to the federal safety agency campaign number: 21V042000 (Electronic Stability Control). The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000.
Wheel speed sensors keep failing. I have had eight sensors fail in three years of ownership. Transmission shifts erratically, speed surges, ABS, check engine light and braking is impaired. This happens when vehicle is in motion.
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
Related recalls
Parking brake
- What is wrong
- Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2024 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The parking brake cable bracket welds may fail and disengage the parking brake. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems."
- Risk
- Parking brake failure can result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and repair the parking brake cable bracket as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 30, 2025. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 877‑762‑8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3HALHAN.
Recall number 25V135000 · 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
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages
- What is wrong
- Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The retaining washer and bolt that connect the brake pedal to the bearing block, may come loose and detach. This could cause the brake lights to stay illuminated, even when the brake pedal is not pressed.
- Risk
- Malfunctioning brake lights can fail to alert other motorists of the driver's intention, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- DVUSA will notify owners and dealers will secure a bearing bracket to brake pedal by retrofitting an additional retaining ring (with PNR A 907 994 01 00) at the bearing bracket of brake pedal, free of charge. DVUSA issued owners an interim notification on May 3, 2021. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1‑877‑762‑8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3BREBOL.
Recall number 21V152000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper
- What is wrong
- Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles equipped with electric parking brakes. The rear brake calipers may leak brake fluid into the housing of the electric parking brake connected to the rear axle service brake system, allowing air to enter the hydraulic brake system.
- Risk
- Air in the brake system can result in extended brake pedal travel, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- DVUSA will replace the rear brake calipers, free of charge. Owners notification letters were mailed on January 4, 2022. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1‑877‑762‑8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3BREPB.
Recall number 20V802000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The outer area of the brake hoses on the front and rear axles may have been damaged during production.
- Risk
- Over time, the hose could begin to leak brake fluid, affecting the braking performance of the vehicle, including the potential loss of directional stability when braking, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will check the condition of the brake hoses on the front and rear axles and replace them as needed, free of charge. The recall began November 24, 2020. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1‑877‑762‑8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3MONTLAU.
Recall number 20V631000 · Recall details
Questions about the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 abs
Why does the abs come on in the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500?
Owners who report it most often also describe adaptive cruise control problems, check engine light and stuck in gear or won't shift, and the codes they mention most are C003A and C0037.
Which Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 years have aBS light or ABS activating problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2016 (15 complaints), 2014 (13 complaints) and 2015 (10 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix ABS light or ABS activating on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $600 (median of 8 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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