MercedesSprinter 35002021Overview/mercedes/sprinter-3500/2021/base/

2021 Mercedes Sprinter 3500

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Sprinter 3500.

The 2021 Mercedes‑Sprinter 3500 is the latest iteration of the brand’s full‑size van platform, retaining the robust power‑train architecture that has defined the series while accommodating a 13.2‑quart oil capacity and accepting a range of modern viscosities—0W‑20, 0W‑30 or 0W‑40—to suit varying service conditions. Within the broader 2007‑2022 complaint record, the model line saw its fewest reported issues in 2008 (just one) and its peak in 2016 (61 complaints), placing the 2021 unit toward the more reliable end of the spectrum as the trend has generally moved downward since that high‑complaint year. Consequently, researchers can view the 2021 Sprinter 3500 as a comparatively stable point in the model’s reliability trajectory, reflecting incremental refinements rather than any radical redesign.

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity13.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20 / 0W-30 / 0W-40OEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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 0199971745. 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.

Battery groupBCI 49 · 850 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeLT215/85R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim5.5-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter0199971745 alt 0199971845
Engine air filter0000903751
Fuel filter6510903600 alt 6420906352
Battery0019828208
Front wiper blades9108240000 alt 9108240100
Thermostat6422002015

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length233.5 in
Overall width79.5 in
Overall height109.1 in
Wheelbase144.1 in
Curb weight5556 lb
Track (front / rear)66.5 / 60.6 in

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 13.2 qt of 0W-20 / 0W-30 / 0W-40 engine oil, MB Sheet 235.8 in the differential. Torque the oil drain plug to Use a new seal: 22.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is Diesel: 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear OilMB Sheet 235.8
Engine Oil Capacity13.2 qt
Transfer Case FluidMercedes Benz P/N A 0019894503
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity1.05 qt

Engine torques

Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse a new seal: 22.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs14.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill PlugFinal Drive: Front: 37.0, Rear: NS ft-lbs
Differential drain PlugFront: 37.0
Transfer Case Fill Plug30.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug30.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing OrderDiesel: 1-4-2-5-3-6

Battery & A/C

Standard BCI Group Number49
Standard BCI Cranking Performance850 cca

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-87 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
133.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°33 ft. lbs

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

16
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
0
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
0
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 16 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V513000Seat Belts:Rear/Other:RetractorReported 07/07/2021

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Metris, and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles equipped with Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) seat belt assemblies. The seat belt automatic… Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 21, 2021. Owners may contact DVUSA's…

21V779000Electrical System:WiringReported 06/10/2021

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. A cable duct may drop out of place due to unlatched engagement hooks inside the battery case. This may cause the starter-generator… Remedy: Dealers will replace the engagement hooks on the affected cable duct with expanding rivets, free of charge. The recall began on November 2, 2021. Owners may contact DVUSA's…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Sprinter 3500. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 Sprinter 3500 take?

13.2 qt of 0W-20, 0W-30, 0W-40; Above 23°F: 20W-40, 20W-50; Above 5°F: 15W-30, 15W-40, 15W-50; Above -4°F: 10W-30, 10W-40, 10W-50, 10W-60; Above -13°F: 5W-30, 5W-40, 5W-50. Oil meeting MB Sheet: 228.51, 229.31, 229.51 or 229.52, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Sprinter 3500 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 16 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.