That's a question that I've heard for years. Not Sprinter specifically but air bags in general.
I have been trained on each generation of airbags since the late 80's, I would love to say yes or no but I cant.
I can say they detonate based on G-Force and later generations, G-Force and vehicle speed.. The factory impact absorbing front bumpers are factored in.
"What I think can happen" is on older vehicles, it may make the bags pop quicker. Newer vehicles also use vehicle speed as well as G-Force and "may" not be effected.
When I had my 04 Jeep. I pulled the fuse when I went off road. I was afraid the sudden stop and shockwave of me bouncing off a rock would detonate them.
As a guess, with a newer sprinter, I would say your probably good. If anything they would deploy quicker not slower.
