2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 20 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags; the 2010 and 2011 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2021
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“When starting the vehicle it may take several times turning the ignition switch to start the vehicle.it may start each time for weeks and then you might try 30 tomes before it would start again. If one had an emergency and needed to find a doctor quick you would be hoping that it would start. I would encourage someone to google" why want my sprinter start" one could see how wide speed this is in the sprinter world. This has happen several times from 2017-2021.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2021
“The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V042000 (Electronic Stability Control) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Mar 2021
“I( have owned this vehicle for 4 years and I cannot count the times it failed to start. When you tried to start it the engine never would turn over.some times I would try to start it for dozens of times before the engine would turn over. This could be s serious problem for senior people. I have seen several similar problems on the sprinter forum. The vehicle has never failed to start. It might take you 30 times or sometimes it starts on the first turn of the key”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Feb 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“My son christopher john lee howard was is tragic accident in dallas on sept 11,2020 and died as a result severe injuries internal injuries that lead to major bleeding of the stomach and upper torso.*dt*dt*jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2020
“This is a second occurance of a problem reported under complaint no. 11094122. This time the vehicle was parked when the warning lights came on (cel, ABS, esc and asc). Dealer diagnosed it as a 'malfunctionning rpm sensor'.”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2020
“While driving on the highway in clear weather, ABS/bas/esp warning lights turn on causing limited driving due to no ABS braking cruise control, or stability control. This has happened 5 times on various wheels of my sprinter 3500 from 2013-2019. The failure of these sensors causes a very unsafe condition. Besides the safety aspect, repair of these sensors are $500 each occurrence.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jun 2019
“Fire - looks like started in fridge area. Couldn't put out and fire department was onsite within 5-6 minutes but total loss by this time. *dt*jb*dt*jb”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2019
“2012 mercedes-benz sprint. Consumer writes in regard to faulty design that caused injectors to leak spraying fuel over engine bay. Consumer would like reimbursement for repairs. *as *js”Owner report · Fuel System, Diesel · Oct 2018
“Drove on interstate expressway at 60 mph when suddenly the engine disconnected from the transmission. Check engine light, ABS warning, esc warning and asc warning light came on. Had to carefully coast to the road shoulder. Turned off engine and checked for obvious problems under the hood, but found nothing. Started engine up again and was able to drive home, although all the warning lights remained on. Mb dealer diagnosis showed a malfunctioning wheel speed sensor and replaced it. Not exactly a pleasant feeling when you're in expressway traffic and suddenly loose all propulsion!!”Owner report · Power Train · May 2018
“The contact owns a 2012 mercedes-benz sprinter 3500. The contact stated that the vehicle intermittently failed to start up after multiple attempts, without warning. The contact called several unknown dealers and was informed that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 11,400.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply (Cummings) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, E-350, Chevrolet Express, 2006-2008 Dodge Sprinter, and 2009-2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2013 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured January 1, 2006, to October 8, 2014, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation after January 1, 2006. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
Remedy: Cummings will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2015. Owners may contact Cumming's customer service at 1-800-639-5438 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Cumming's number for this recall is 14E-041.
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2012 Freightliner and Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled into the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag, free of charge. The recall began on January 12, 2018. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Note: This recall supersedes recall 17V-025.
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 3500 and Freightliner Sprinter 3500 vehicles upfitted into campers or recreational vehicles. The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) unit may become disabled on these vehicles.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear-wheel speed sensor with a more robust sensor, free of charge. DVUSA issued owners an interim notification on March 10, 2021. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is NC3DREZAHA.
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (Daimler Vans) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Dodge Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2006, to July 31, 2008, 2007-2014 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2006, to July 1, 2014, and 2010-2014 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2010, to July 1, 2014. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Remedy: Daimler Vans will notify the Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner owners and Fiat Chrysler will notify the Dodge owners. The respective dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2017. Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner owners may contact Daimler Van's customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Dodge owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sprinter 3500 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 reliable?
NHTSA has 20 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment adaptive/mobility. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.