Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 Sprinter 3500.
The 2016 Mercedes Sprinter 3500 is defined in the reference record by its substantial volume of owner grievances, logging 61 total complaints and 16 recalls. Air bag issues represent the top complaint area for this model, highlighting a primary focal point of failure for researchers. When situated within the model's broader reliability timeline spanning 2007 to 2022, this specific year sits at the absolute peak of reported issues—registering the highest complaint count of the entire generation and contrasting sharply with the lowest year of 2008, which saw only a single complaint—meaning researchers must regard this model year as a significant reliability outlier in the Sprinter lineage.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 49 · 850 CCA battery, OE oil filter 0199971845. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
| Engine oil filter | 0199971845 alt 0299975448 |
| Engine air filter | 0000903751 |
| Fuel filter | 6420906352 alt 6420920201 |
| Battery | 0019828208 |
| Front wiper blades | 9068201000 |
| Thermostat | 6422002015 alt 651200320064 |
| Cabin air filter | 9068300218 alt 9068300318 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 233.1 in |
| Overall width | 79.5 in |
| Overall height | 110.6 in |
| Wheelbase | 144.1 in |
| Curb weight | 5626 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 67.7 / 68.1 in |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine 75W-85 · 75W-83 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 22.1 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Differential Gear Oil | 75W-85 · 75W-83 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 2.0-4.0 |
| Engine Coolant Capacity | 10.8 qt |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 6.6 |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 12 |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 18.4 |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 12.5 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 18.4 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 6.6 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 22.1 ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 184.0 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-4-2-5-3-6 |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-4-2-5-3-6 |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz |
| Spark Plug Gap | 0.031 in |
| Spark Plug Torque | 15.0-20.0 ft-lbs |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 49 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 850 cca |
| Engine Compression | psi 333-435 / max variation 43 psi |
| Engine Compression | Diesel psi 392-464 / max variation 43 psi |
| Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque | Front: 25; Front: 25 |
| Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque | 59 |
Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts lightly with specified motor oil. The length of new M12 cylinder head bolts are 205mm. if the length of the M12 bolts are greater than the maximum permissible dimension of 207mm, replace with new cylinder head bolts.
| 1 | Bolts 1-8 7.0 ft. lbs. | 7 ft. lbs |
| 2 | Bolts 1-8 | 44 ft. lbs |
| 3 | Bolt 11 | 15 ft. lbs |
| 4 | Bolts 1-8 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 5 | Bolts 1-8 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 6 | Bolts 1-8 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 7 | Bolt 11 15.0 ft. lbs. | 15 ft. lbs |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Owner complaints about the 2016 Mercedes Sprinter 3500 lead in one area — the air bags, 12 of 61 reports (20%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the air bags are also the target of recalls 19V-004 and 19V-003 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming they were actually performed. 3 of the reports describe a crash and 2 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the air bags pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.
All 61 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 16 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as… Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 15, 2019. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service…
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as… Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall is began March 15, 2019. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service…
Showing 5 of 117 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| LI14.20-N-073867 | 2025-05-09 | Engine | Complaint Complaint A: The engine is jolting/bucking between 1700 and 1900 rpm. Complaint… |
| LI14.20-N-073867 | 2025-04-25 | Engine | EGR Valve Diagnosis and Cleaning Procedure using TUNAP 926® on 906, 907 Sprinter with… |
| LI82.35-N-078930 | 2025-03-10 | Visibility/Wiper | Warning Lamp "Washer Fluid Empty" Yet Reservoir Is Not Empty Complaint: Warning lamp… |
| LI47.10-N-079010 | 2025-03-10 | Fuel/Propulsion System | Procedure for When Diesel Fuel Tank is Filled with Incorrect Fuel Type Complaint… |
| LI14.20-N-073867 | 2025-03-10 | Fuel/Propulsion System | EGR Valve Diagnosis and Cleaning Procedure Complaint A: The engine is jolting/bucking… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
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Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 16 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.