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.
2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter airbags problems
severe 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
1crash
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 12 airbags complaints filed for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 7 model years of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter in our records for airbags problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Airbags accounts for 20% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 6 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinters cite two distinct airbag problems. One contact was involved in a 40–45 mph frontal crash with a school bus and reported total airbag failure to deploy; the vehicle was never diagnosed or repaired.
The dominant complaint across nearly all narratives is parts unavailability for NHTSA recalls 19V003000 (driver-side) and 19V004000 (passenger-side) Takata airbag modules. Owners received recall notices in March 2019 but dealerships consistently reported parts were not in stock or available, with some owners waiting 11 months or longer without a parts timeline. One owner waited seven months post-notice. Dealers cited parts pending status that prevented reimbursement authorization for the repair work. One vehicle eventually got repaired in January 2020 after initial parts delays. A few owners explicitly stated the prolonged downtime prevented them from selling the vehicles. One contact received conflicting recall information—notified of a recall, then told the vehicle wasn't included.
Same Mercedes-Benz Sprinter airbags reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag Non-Deployment in Crash
During a collision at 40-45 mph with a school bus, the airbags failed to deploy. Contact was uninjured but three students on the school bus sustained minor injuries requiring medical attention.
When: 19,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags did not deploy during frontal impact collision; Impact with school bus traveling 30 mph northbound
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was towed but never diagnosed or repaired by dealer or manufacturer.
Recall Parts Unavailability - Campaigns 19V003000 and 19V004000
Owners received NHTSA recall notifications for driver-side (19V003000) and passenger-side (19V004000) airbag modules but dealers could not obtain replacement parts for months or longer. Parts distribution disconnect prevented recall completion. Several owners reported delays ranging from seven months to 11+ months after recall notice was issued.
When: Recalls issued March 2019; parts unavailable well beyond reasonable timeframe
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notice received but parts not available at dealer; Dealer unable to schedule repair due to parts pending status; Extended vehicle downtime, inability to sell vehicle due to unperformed recall; Conflicting dealer information on parts availability
Codes mentioned: 19V003000, 19V004000
Repairs/costs cited: One owner's vehicle repaired 1/22/2020 by Chapman Motorcars of Tucson after initial parts unavailability. Dealers: John G. Ledford Jr. Mercedes-Benz of Athens GA, Mercedes-Benz of Santa Rosa CA, Trophy Mercedes-Benz of Valencia CA, Mercedes-Benz of Tucson AZ, Mercedes-Benz of Northwest Arkansas, Worldwide Motors Inc Indianapolis, Mercedes-Benz of Fairfield CA.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls 19V003000 and 19V004000 (Takata airbags). Campaign 16V077000 also cited. Manufacturer stated parts not available and could not confirm when parts would become available. Parts distribution disconnect noted by VIN tool.
Recall Application Error - Campaign 19V004000
One owner received a safety recall interim notice but was later informed the vehicle was not actually included in the recall, creating confusion about whether the vehicle required repair.
When: Safety Recall Interim Notice 2018110007, NHTSA Recall 319V004
Symptoms owners cite: Conflicting recall notice information; Uncertainty whether vehicle is subject to recall
Codes mentioned: 19V004000
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Consumer informed vehicle was not included in recall despite receiving notice.
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
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?
I have received notices of 2 airbag recalls on this vehicle. One for driver side, one for passenger side. Dealer tells me he has all parts in stock for both repairs, but passenger side airbag is listed on his records as pending. Therefore, he cannot proceed with that repair, as he will not be reimbursed. Is the passenger airbag in this vehicle in fact subject to recall? If so, why is it that…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-benz sprinter 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19v004000 (air bags). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. World wide motors inc (3900 e 96th st, indianapolis, in 46240, (317) 580-6800) was contacted and confirmed that parts were not available. The…
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-benz sprinter 3500 (m3cc170). The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 19v004000 (air bags). The contact called Mercedes-benz of tucson (6350 e grant rd, tucson, az 85715, (520) 886-1311) and was informed that the parts were not available. The contact had not spoken with the manufacturer. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN…
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-benz sprinter 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 19v003000 (air bags) and 19v004000 (air bags). The contact called john g. Ledford jr. For Mercedes benz of athens at 706-549-6585 (located at 4735 atlanta highway, athens, ga 30622) and was informed that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue…
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-benz sprinter 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19v003000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact contacted trophy Mercedes-benz of valencia (23355 valencia blvd, santa clarita, ca 91355, (661) 753-5555) where it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that…
Had airbags trouble with your 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Based on the 12 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 22,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Mercedes-Benz/Sprinter.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.