Is the 2017 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 3500 reliable?

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 3500 has 40 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS problems.

What are common problems with the 2017 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 3500?

Top problems: ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS (7 complaints, avg repair $500); WHEELS (6 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (5 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2017 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 3500?

Yes, there are 9 recall(s): AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE, STRUCTURE:BODY, STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST, EQUIPMENT, TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE. Contact any Mercedes-Benz dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to insure a 2017 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 3500?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 3500 is approximately $2,143/year (sedan-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2017 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 3500

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 3500 has 40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.3x the segment average of 31. The most common issue is electronic systems problems (18% of all complaints), specifically: rmp sensor failed causing vehicle to lose anti lock brakes, traction control and cruise control. plus forced vehicle into limp mode so it would barely move to rest area to call for assistance. i've been to three dealerships with this issue and they are all very aware that these faulty sensors exist. There are 9 recalls issued for this model year.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

7 complaints

18%

• RMP SENSOR FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE ANTI LOCK BRAKES, TRACTION CONTROL AND CRUISE CONTROL. PLUS FORCED VEHICLE INTO LIMP MODE SO IT WOULD BARELY MOVE TO REST AREA TO CALL FOR ASSISTANCE. I'VE BEEN TO THREE DEALERSHIPS WITH THIS ISSUE AND THEY ARE ALL VERY AWARE THAT THESE FAULTY SENSORS EXIST
• OUR 2018 CLASS C TIFFIN WAYFARER IS BUILT ON THE 2017 MERCEDES SPRINTER 3500 CHASSIS. AT 17,380 MILES, WITH NO WARNING, WHILE MOVING, THE VEHICLE BEGAN BANGING, LURCHING AND SPED UP. ALL THIS OCCURRED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO GO THROUGH A CITY STREET INTERSECTION. TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM THIS ERRATIC M
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V042000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL). THE CONTACT STATED THAT MERCEDES-BENZ OF SAN JOSE SERVICE CENTER LOCATED AT 3000 E. CAPITOL EXPY SUITE A, SAN JOSE, CA 95148, (408) 214-3009)

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“RMP SENSOR FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE ANTI LOCK BRAKES, TRACTION CONTROL AND CRUISE CONTROL. PLUS FORCED VEHICLE INTO LIMP MODE SO IT WOULD BARELY MOVE TO REST AREA TO CALL FOR ASSISTANCE. I'VE BEEN TO THREE DEALERSHIPS WITH THIS ISSUE AND THEY ARE ALL VERY AWARE THAT THESE FAULTY SENSORS EXIST”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2017 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 3500

Based on 23 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 18K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

WHEELS

In line with typicalmedian 14K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (9)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE08/01/2019

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the driver frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall is began March 15, 2019. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2017 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 3500

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$2,143

Full coverage / month

$179

Liability only / year

$710

vs US avg

+28%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$2143

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 3500 Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

10K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

40K mi

Engine coolant

150K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

40K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

40K mi

Service A / Service B alternating schedule. Requires MB-approved oil (229.5 spec typically).

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Mercedes-Benz New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

4 yr / 50K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 155K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

4 yr / 50K mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / unlimited mi

EQ EV battery warranty is 10 years/155,000 miles

These are the terms for a new Mercedes-Benz. If you're buying a used 2017 SPRINTER 3500, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Mercedes-Benz dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS(~50K mi)

$500

WHEELS(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 40 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS: RMP SENSOR FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE ANTI LOCK BRAKES, TRACTION CONTROL AND CRUISE CONTROL. PLUS FORCED VEHICLE INTO LIMP MODE SO IT WOULD BARELY MOVE TO REST AREA TO CALL FOR ASSISTANCE. I'VE BEEN TO THREE DEALERSHIPS WITH THIS ISSUE AND THEY ARE ALL VERY AWARE THAT THESE FAULTY SENSORS EXIST
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
WHEELS: THIS IS A FOLLOW-UP TO MY COMPLAINT OF AUGUST 27 2018, NHTSA NUMBER 11122749. I PREVIOUSLY REPORTED THE DATES AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF 3 WHEEL (RIMS) FAILURES DUE TO A CRACKED WELD WHERE THE TWO PIECES OF THE RIM ARE JOINED, CAUSING AIR TO LEAK AND TIRES TO DEFLATE. ON APRIL 12, 2019, I HAD ANOTHER FL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: TRAVELING ON I-95 WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 70 MPH. SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND THREE WARNING LIGHTS (ABS, TRACTION & THE ACCELERATION SKID CONTROL / ELECTRONIC BRAKING ASSIST) CAME ON THE DASH. THE VEHICLE FELT SLUGGISH AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NO LONGER WORK. THERE ARE ONLY 21,
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: RMP SENSOR FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE ANTI LOCK BRAKES, TRACTION CONTROL AND CRUISE CONTROL. PLUS FORCED VEHICLE INTO LIMP MODE SO IT WOULD BARELY MOVE TO REST AREA TO CALL FOR ASSISTANCE. I'VE BEEN TO THREE DEALERSHIPS WITH THIS ISSUE AND THEY ARE ALL VERY AWARE THAT THESE FAULTY SENSORS EXIST
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 9 recalls have been completed — free at any Mercedes-Benz dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)