Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 Sprinter 3500.
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 sits at the top payload tier of the German marque's diesel-powered commercial van line, and for a researcher building a reliability profile the headline numbers are notably modest: nine total owner complaints and ten recalls, with the fuel and diesel delivery system standing out as the chief trouble spot. Set against the model's broader 2007 through 2022 complaint history — which spans a quiet single filing in 2008 to a peak of sixty-one in 2016 — the 2018 lands firmly on the well-behaved end of that arc. For buyers and fleet specifiers weighing generations, that positioning makes 2018 a relatively dependable reference point rather than one of the cautionary chapters in the Sprinter 3500's record.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
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 0299975448. 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 | 0299975448 alt 013997614564 |
| Engine air filter | 0000903751 |
| Fuel filter | 6420906352 alt 6420920201 |
| Battery | 0019828208 |
| Front wiper blades | 9068201000 |
| Thermostat | 6422002015 |
| 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.
Torque the oil drain plug to 20.0 ft-lbs.
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 12 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 18.4 ft-lbs |
| Nitrogen Oxide (NOX) Sensor Bolt(s) | 33.0 ft-lbs |
| Oil Pan to Block Bolts | 9.0 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 20.0 ft-lbs |
| Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs | 14.0 ft-lbs |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 49 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 850 cca |
| Standard BCI Group Number | Diesel: 48 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | Diesel: 680 cca; Diesel, Auxiliary: 170 cca |
| Optional BCI Group Number | Diesel: 48, 49, 49 |
| Optional BCI Cranking Performance | Diesel: 760 cca, 760 cca, 850 cca |
| Engine Compression | 174 |
| 1 | 148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 180 | 148 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 33.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 | 33 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 2018 Mercedes Sprinter 3500 top in one area — the fuel system, diesel, 1 of 9 reports (11%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 10 recall campaigns target the fuel system, diesel, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the fuel system, diesel 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 9 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 10 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Sprinter and Metris vehicles. The vehicles left the reassembly plant without the final quality inspection of safety-relevant parts or bolt connections… Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and vehicles will be returned to the reassembly plant for comprehensive inspection and, if necessary, corrective action, free of charge. The recall began…
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The airbag systems may not have been activated after vehicle production. As such, these vehicles fail to… Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to determine if the airbag systems have been activated, correcting them as necessary, free of charge. DVUSA issued…
Showing 5 of 54 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| LI14.20-N-073867 | 2026-06-15 | Power Train | Complaint Complaint A: The engine is jolting/bucking between 1700 and 1900 rpm. Complaint… |
| LI49.10-N-080528 | 2026-06-03 | Fuel/Propulsion System | OM642 DPF Filter Cracked or Broken Complaint Vehicle will not start or exhibits noisy… |
| LI49-20-N-080376 | 2026-03-23 | Fuel/Propulsion System | The check engine light is illuminated, or the AdBlue warning is active, with recorded… |
| LI14.20-N-073867 | 2026-01-16 | Engine | EGR Valve Diagnosis & Cleaning (and EGR Cooler Cleaning) – OM642, Sprinter 906/907… |
| LI28.00-N-063339 | 2025-12-01 | Power Train | Clunking noise on load change or gear engagement Complaint Clunking noise can be heard on… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.