NHTSA vehicle safety data

2017 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 Recalls & Complaints

The 2017 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns and 2 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Freightliner dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2017 Freightliner Sprinter 3500. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2017 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 owner complaints

Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Freightliner Sprinter 3500, describing incidents dated January 1, 2019 to October 8, 2020.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 1 complaint
Exterior Lighting 1 complaint
Unknown or Other 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11363739 · Filed October 10, 2020
AT 5,600 MILES, TRAVELING WEST BOUND ON I-68 IN WESTERN MARYLAND NEAR EXIT 62. SPRINTER DANGEROUSLY AND UNCONTROLLABLY ACCELERATED AND DECELERATED RAPIDLY SHIFTED GEARS. I SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND DRIFTED TO AN OFF RAMP. DASH LIGHTS INDICATED THREE PROBLEMS ABS, SWERVE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND…
ODI #11185506 · Filed March 9, 2019
LEFT TAILLIGHT WORKS ONLY SOMETIMES. AS RECALL ON PREVIOS RECALLS. LEFT TAILLIGHT SOMETIMES WORKS AND IS GETTING WATER IN SYSTEM. VERY DIM WHEN DOES WORK. *DT *AS

Read all 2 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2017 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA21-002: Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Open since September 17, 2021

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Electronic Stability Control Unit Malfunction

NHTSA #21V042000 · Electronic Stability Control (ESC) — Control Module · NHTSA notice

Reported February 3, 2021 · Daimler Vans USA, LLC

Potentially affected: 48,667 vehicles

Repair completion: 88.58% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign NC3DREZAHA · Owners notified August 20, 2021 · Vehicles built January 4, 2012 – October 25, 2018 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 3500 and Freightliner Sprinter 3500 vehicles upfitted into campers or recreational vehicles. The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) unit may become disabled on these vehicles.

Safety consequence

If ESC becomes disabled, vehicle driving stability may be impacted under certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear-wheel speed sensor with a more robust sensor, free of charge. DVUSA issued owners an interim notification on March 10, 2021. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is NC3DREZAHA.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Hydraulic Power Steering Hose May Detach

NHTSA #20V663000 · Steering — Hydraulic Power Assist — Hose, Piping, and Connections · NHTSA notice

Reported October 28, 2020 · Daimler Vans USA, LLC

Potentially affected: 47,667 vehicles

Repair completion: 90.33% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign NV3LETULPE · Owners notified December 23, 2020

Defect description

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Mercedes Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The hydraulic power steering return line hoses may detach at their connection points under certain operating conditions, causing hydraulic fluid to leak.

Safety consequence

The sudden loss of power steering assist and hydraulic steering fluid leaking onto the roadway may increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will check the return line connections of the power steering system, correcting it as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2020. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this campaign is NV3LETULPE.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode

NHTSA #19V003000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported January 8, 2019 · Daimler Vans USA, LLC

Potentially affected: 71,301 vehicles

Repair completion: 77.19% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified March 15, 2019 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode

NHTSA #19V004000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported January 8, 2019 · Daimler Vans USA, LLC

Potentially affected: 88,388 vehicles

Repair completion: 61.51% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified March 15, 2019 · Vehicles built February 27, 2013 – April 5, 2017 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2014-2017 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 passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer remedy

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

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Missing Welds

NHTSA #18V288000 · Structure — Body · NHTSA notice

Reported May 3, 2018 · Daimler Vans USA, LLC

Potentially affected: 153 vehicles

Repair completion: 62.75% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified July 2, 2018 · Vehicles built September 11, 2017 – October 11, 2017 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2017 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles may be missing spot welds on the front side wall, connecting the door portal to the hinge reinforcements in the A-pillar area, possibly affecting vehicle strength in a crash.

Safety consequence

If the missing welds affect body strength, there may be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and add any missing spot welds, free of charge. The recall began on July 2, 2018. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Crosswind Assist may not Intervene as Expected

NHTSA #17V804000 · Lane Departure — Assist · NHTSA notice

Reported December 14, 2017 · Daimler Vans USA, LLC

Potentially affected: 2,177 vehicles

Repair completion: 78.41% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified February 2, 2018 · Vehicles built March 31, 2017 – October 13, 2017 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 and Freightliner Sprinter 3500 vehicles equipped with the Crosswind Assist function. In the event of strong crosswind, automatic brake interventions by the vehicle dynamics control system (ADAPTIVE ESP) might not be activated.

Safety consequence

If Crosswind Assist system does not activate the automatic braking system as expected in the event of a strong crosswind, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the ESP control unit with corrected software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in January 2018. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-854-888-3214.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Spare Tire Holder Not Secure

NHTSA #17V742000 · Tires — Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire · NHTSA notice

Reported November 21, 2017 · Daimler Vans USA, LLC

Potentially affected: 773 vehicles

Repair completion: 82.41% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified January 19, 2018 · Vehicles built July 11, 2017 – August 9, 2017 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2017 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vans. The spare tire holder under the vehicle may not be properly secured.

Safety consequence

If the spare tire holder is not properly secured, the spare tire may separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

DVUSA will notify owners and dealers will lift the spare tire holder completely and tighten the securing screws as necessary, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact DVUSA custom service at 1-854-888-3214.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2017 Freightliner Sprinter 3500. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

2 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2017 Freightliner Sprinter 3500.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11363739

Incident: October 8, 2020 · Filed: October 10, 2020

AT 5,600 MILES, TRAVELING WEST BOUND ON I-68 IN WESTERN MARYLAND NEAR EXIT 62. SPRINTER DANGEROUSLY AND UNCONTROLLABLY ACCELERATED AND DECELERATED RAPIDLY SHIFTED GEARS. I SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND DRIFTED TO AN OFF RAMP. DASH LIGHTS INDICATED THREE PROBLEMS ABS, SWERVE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL. SHUT DOWN ENGINE AND RESTARTED - SAME RESULT. DISCONNECTED BATTERY THEN RECONNECTED - SAME RESULT. CONNECTED A SCANNER WHICH INDICATED RIGHT REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILURE. CONTACTED SELLING DEALER SHOP MANAGER AND WAS ADVISED THERE WAS NO WORK-AROUND AND STATED I SHOULD HAVE IT TOWED TO NEAREST FREIGHTLINER DEALER IN APPROXIMATELY 70 MILES AWAY. AFTER DRIVING VERY SLOWLY TO A SAFE AREA, I INSPECTED THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY AND NOTED TWO CONNECTORS ON EACH SIDE, CHECKED FOR TIGHTNESS AND INSPECTED THE WIRING FOR DAMAGE, BUT NONE OBSERVED. AFTER CHECKING BLOGS ON MY SMART PHONE, I DISCOVERED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SPRINTERS FROM 2010 TO 2017 AND COMMENTERS NOTED THAT MERCEDES STATES THE VENDORS CHANGED ALLOYS ON THE SENSORS AS THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE ISSUE. TYPICAL REPAIR COSTS WERE INDICATED TO BE $350 TO $400, AND MANY COMMENTERS STATED THEY HAD PAID FOR MULTIPLE SENSORS AND ONE COMMENTER STATED THE ABS MODULE WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY IN HIS CASE FOLLOWING SEVERAL SENSOR REPLACEMENTS. BOTTOM LINE, MERCEDES NEEDS TO OWN RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR FAILURE AND REPLACE ALL FOUR SENSORS WITHOUT COST TO THE OWNERS (AKA RECALL). THE DANGEROUS UNWANTED ACCELERATION COULD COST LIVES AND EXTENSIVE PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF SERVICE TFN AWAITING SELLING DEALER RESPONSE.

Electrical System; Exterior Lighting

ODI #11185506

Incident: January 1, 2019 · Filed: March 9, 2019

LEFT TAILLIGHT WORKS ONLY SOMETIMES. AS RECALL ON PREVIOS RECALLS. LEFT TAILLIGHT SOMETIMES WORKS AND IS GETTING WATER IN SYSTEM. VERY DIM WHEN DOES WORK. *DT *AS

Other Freightliner Sprinter 3500 model years

Check your 2017 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 VIN

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