NHTSA // SAFETY RECORD
2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500
Recall and complaint safety record from NHTSA. This configuration has not been crash-tested.
CRASH
DATANot crash-tested
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 is a heavy-duty full-size van aimed squarely at commercial operators, fleet buyers, and small-business owners who need serious cargo or passenger capacity. Sitting at the top of the Sprinter family by gross vehicle weight rating, it serves conversion builders, ambulance upfitters, and last-mile delivery operators alike. It is a workhorse first, but buyers still deserve a clear-eyed look at its safety record.
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. Its safety record here is built from 16 recalls and 9 owner complaints on file, giving it a heavy recall and complaint burden.
- shoppers who want the full federal safety picture in one place
Reviewers generally regard the Sprinter 3500 as the benchmark in its segment, praising its upright driving position, cavernous load space, and refined highway manners for a vehicle of its size. They typically highlight the quality of interior controls and the breadth of available configurations as genuine strengths, while noting that the driving experience prioritizes function and practicality over comfort or sportiness.
NHTSA // RECALLSRecall record
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL24V930000
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.
Reported 2024-12-13
STRUCTURE:CRITICAL FASTENERS23V875000
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.
Reported 2023-12-21
STRUCTURE:CRITICAL FASTENERS23V876000
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.
Reported 2023-12-21
STRUCTURE:BODY23V806000
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
Reported 2023-12-01
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL23V204000
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.
Reported 2023-03-24
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:INTERNAL:PARK PAWL22V796000
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.
Reported 2022-10-21
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE22V360000
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.
Reported 2022-05-20
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION22V281000
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.
Reported 2022-04-27
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:TORSION BAR22V131000
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.
Reported 2022-03-08
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS22V073000
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 1-877-762-8
Reported 2022-02-09
STRUCTURE21V934000
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.
Reported 2021-12-01
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS21V933000
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.
Reported 2021-12-01
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSOwner complaints
9 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.