Mercedes-Benz Sprinter problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 27 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
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 8.4/10 — 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 2017 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
- wheels — 5 owner reports · tends to show around 12,936 mi · ~$400 to fix
- cruise control — 4 owner reports · tends to show around 19,190 mi · ~$600 to fix
- body — 3 owner reports · tends to show around 37,250 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
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: 8.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is body (~$1,500) — 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 2017 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 3 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz M3CA76 Sprinter 3500. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the diesel purifier, Diesel Exhaust Fluid, DEF system, warning illuminated. The contact stated that the failure of the DEF system had occurred before the recent…
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes- Benz Sprinter 350. The contact stated that while driving at various highway speeds the warning message "DEF Is Low" had suddenly displayed and the vehicle went into "Limp Mode" causing the speed to suddenly reduce to 5 MPH. The vehicle was…
Our 2018 class c tiffin wayfarer is built on the 2017 Mercedes sprinter 3500 chassis. At 17,380 miles, with no warning, while moving, the vehicle began banging, lurching and sped up. All this occurred while attempting to go through a city street intersection. To stop the…
Rmp sensor failed causing vehicle to lose anti lock brakes, traction control and cruise control. Plus forced vehicle into limp mode so it would barely move to rest area to call for assistance. I've been to three dealerships with this issue and they are all very aware that these…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.4 out of 10 based on 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 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 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?
On the NHTSA data, the 2017 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 8.4/10 — 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 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?
Inspect the wheels first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 5 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 12,936 miles. Average repair cost runs about $400 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 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 27 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is wheels. Typical failure occurs around 12,936 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 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is wheels, with 5 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 12,936 miles. Average repair cost runs about $400 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The wheels is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $400 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 12,936 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 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 27 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $400, 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.