trucks cut speed limit 65 to 10 normal highway i do understood %35 degrees slow down but its only %2 degrees uprise there is no power at engine rpm is shows less then 1 rpm and even if press the gas pedal all the way the truck does not accelerate like truck is lock right there very dangers any one drive back of me they are not accept that much speed change they are in dangers…
2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter powertrain problems
moderate 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 14 powertrain complaints filed for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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
Powertrain accounts for 23% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 6 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a pattern of rear wheel speed sensor failures (left rear, right rear, or both) beginning early in the vehicle's life. The failures trigger a system-wide cascade: check engine, ABS, traction control, skid control, and ESP lights illuminate, cruise control cuts out, and the transmission misbehaves—sometimes shifting multiple times per second during turns, other times locking into a single gear or refusing to shift at all.
When the transmission enters limp mode, the vehicle may coast uncontrollably after the driver puts it in neutral, unable to re-engage drive until the engine is cycled off and restarted. Braking becomes spongy and unresponsive. In severe cases, steering loses responsiveness.
The problem is reported as epidemic among Sprinter-based RVs (particularly the 3500 diesel model used in Thor and LTV campers) but claimed by dealership technicians to be rare or absent in standard van configurations. Owners report replacing the same sensor multiple times—one reports eight replacements in three years. Mercedes dealers acknowledge the issue internally but refuse to provide technical data or proactive fixes. Replacements are warranty-covered early on but become owner expense out of warranty. No factory recall or technical service bulletin has been issued despite owners reporting widespread online documentation of the failure among RV groups.
Failure modes owners describe
Wheel Speed Sensor Failure — Intermittent or Repeated
Left rear, right rear, or both rear wheel speed sensors fail intermittently or repeatedly, triggering a cascade of electronic system faults. Owners report multiple replacements on the same vehicle within warranty periods.
When: 8,500 to 20,000 miles; some vehicles experience failures multiple times within 3 years
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission shifts rapidly between gears (multiple times per second) during or after turns; Transmission downshifts unexpectedly or drops out of drive at highway speed; Engine revs unpredictably while transmission is in gear; Check Engine, ABS, traction control, skid control, and ESP warning lights illuminate; Cruise control deactivates; Vehicle surges forward despite brake application; Spongy or unresponsive braking feel; Steering becomes unresponsive in rare instances
Codes mentioned: C0037 (left rear wheel speed sensor), C003A (right rear wheel speed sensor)
Repairs/costs cited: MB dealership replaces affected rear wheel speed sensor(s). Repairs are repeated on the same vehicle. One owner reports eight sensor replacements in three years. Towing costs reported ($600 in one case); warranty covers repairs initially but not after expiration.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: MB service agents acknowledge seeing the issue 'all the time' with RVs on Sprinter chassis but claim it doesn't occur with van models. MB dealers refuse to share technical data on fault resets or proactive fixes. No recalls or TSBs mentioned. Warranty-covered repairs only; out-of-warranty sensor replacement is owner's cost.
Transmission Limp Mode or Shift Lock
When wheel speed sensor fault codes trigger, the vehicle enters a limited or 'limp' mode where the transmission either locks in a single gear or refuses to shift, leaving the driver stranded or forced to coast.
When: Occurs during or immediately after sensor failure; can happen at any speed including highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission will not shift into Drive or Reverse; Transmission stuck in first gear (reported on interstate); Transmission will not engage after engine restart until vehicle is fully powered down and restarted; Vehicle coasts uncontrollably until stopped and engine cycled; Vehicle cannot be driven forward or backward
Codes mentioned: C0037, C003A
Repairs/costs cited: Engine restart temporarily clears faults; replacement of wheel speed sensor(s) restores transmission function. One owner required a 133-mile tow; another a 2-hour tow.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No proactive fixes or software patches mentioned. Dealers replace sensors reactively only.
Loss of Braking and Steering Control
Rare but severe instances where the combination of wheel speed sensor failure and resulting electronic system cascade causes loss of responsive braking and steering, particularly on downhill grades.
When: During active sensor failure or electronic fault cascade
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes feel unresponsive or ineffective; Steering becomes unresponsive; Vehicle lurches and feels out of control; Driver must pump brakes hard to regain partial control
Codes mentioned: C0037, C003A
Repairs/costs cited: Right rear wheel speed sensor replacement restored control in the reported case. Vehicle required 2-hour flatbed tow to service center.
Power Loss and Poor Acceleration
Vehicle loses ability to accelerate or maintain speed, with engine showing unusually low RPM readings on the gauge cluster. Speed may drop to below 20 mph even on level highway sections despite throttle input.
When: During highway operation; onset timing varies
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle unable to accelerate despite full throttle input; Speed decreases to less than 20 mph on highway; Gauge cluster shows less than 1 RPM despite driving; No power response to engine; Unsafe speed reduction on slight uphill grades
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
When I went to try the 4 wheel drive the following things happened: a clunking sound in the rear of the vehicle. Numerous warning lights came on . ABS, collision avoidance, cruise control, check engine, ESC or esp. Over time the lights cleared but came back on weeks apart. I am a retired nasa safety/reliably engineer. In my opinion all of these lights come on as a result of failures of one or…
Mb sprinter has fault that generates instruments indicators of ABS, skidding and another. Before this occurred transmission shifting became erratic and when breaking the engine revved up and also made brakes unless. No accident occurred but was almost out of control.
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 14 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 9,000 and 17,300 miles, with the median around 11,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 9,000; a quarter make it past 17,300. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.