Mercedes-Benz Sprinter problems
61 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- powertrain — 14 owner reports · tends to show around 11,680 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- airbags — 12 owner reports · tends to show around 22,000 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- electrical — 7 owner reports · tends to show around 20,640 mi · ~$850 to fix
- brakes — 6 owner reports · tends to show around 12,173 mi · ~$450 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 22,000 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is powertrain (~$2,500) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 6 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Been waiting 11 months for parts for the passenger side airbag recall and I still can't get a date as to when they will be able to correct the situation.
This recall goes back to march 2019. I need to sell this vehicle and I can't sell it with the recall not performed. When will the parts be available for the recall?
The air condition shuts down after a couple of hours. It just comes from the vents hot air and staunchy (bad odors) odors. Contact Mercedes benz and they say that they aware of the problem but are not willing to fix it.
Rear wheel speed sensor had to be replaced at 30,000 miles and now both front wheel sensors are faulty at 50.000 miles. In my reading this is a commonly faulty part and it cost $ 760.00 to replace both sensors. Fortunately the first sensor was under warranty. It would be…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 61 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?
On the NHTSA data, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 14 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 11,680 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 61 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 11,680 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 14 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 11,680 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 11,680 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 61 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.