2016 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500 Complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT YET SUPPLIED THE PARTS AND REMEDY FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V465000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM THE MANUFACTURER MONTHS AGO. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN OF WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

THE VEHICLE HAS EXCESSIVE BRAKE PEDAL FREE-PLAY TRAVEL BEFORE BRAKING OCCURS. ALTHOUGH THE MANUFACTURER'S OWNERS MANUAL WARNS AGAINST PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE, IT IS IMPERATIVE TO DO SO ESPECIALLY IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. IF THE DRIVER HAS TO HESITATE TO MAKE A DECISION ON WHETHER TO BRAKE OR ACCELERATE, THE FREE-PLAY TRAVEL WILL NOT ALLOW THE DRIVER ENOUGH TIME TO BRAKE SAFELY. THE VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TO BRING TO A SAFE STOP UNLESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PUMPED AT LEAST TWO PUMPS BEFORE IT FEELS LIKE AND BRAKES LIKE A NORMAL SYSTEM. THE EXISTENCE OF THIS CONDITION WAS CONFIRMED BY A LOCAL MERCEDES DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN. HIS RESPONSE WAS, "THIS IS NORMAL FOR THE 1-TON CHASSIS TO HAVE A SOFT, SPONGY PEDAL AND MAY GO TO THE FLOOR BEFORE THE BRAKE GRABS, BUT IN A EMERGENCY SITUATION IT WILL STOP EVEN IF THE PEDAL IS ALMOST TO THE FLOOR."