2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags1936.5%
- Driver assistance1732.7%
- Brakes815.4%
- Tires & wheels23.8%
- Other / unspecified23.8%
- Electrical11.9%
- Powertrain (other)11.9%
- Steering11.9%
- Engine11.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO CONTACT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE A RECALL REPAIR APPOINTMENT WITHIN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V077000 (AIR BAGS). THE INTERIM RECALL NOTICE BEGAN ON APRIL 11, 2016 AND INDICATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND A SECOND NOTICE WOULD BE SENT TO THE VEHICLE OWNER. IN ADDITION, THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE CLOSEST DEALER WAS LESS THAN THREE HOURS AWAY. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER SEVERAL TIMES THAT THIS WAS NOT A REASONABLE OPTION. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *BF CONSUMER STATED IT IS MANUFACTURES FAULT DUE TO FAULTY AIRBAGS/RECALL. *JB
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V032000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF STEVENS CREEK (4500 STEVENS CREEK BLVD, SAN JOSE, CA 95129, (408) 641-4610) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated while driving, the vehicle failed to exceed 20 MPH. The contact stated that the vehicle had lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the wheel speed sensor was replaced. 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 local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. Parts distribution disconnect. The failure mileage was approximately 34,200.
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH and attempting to activate the cruise control, the vehicle failed to remain in cruise control mode. The contact stated that the ABS, traction control, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed and repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under a related recall. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
2013 MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ABS SYSTEM FAILURE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE WHEEL SENSORS FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES, WHILE DRIVING. THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE FAILED SENSORS. *JS
I HAVE HAD TWO FAILURES OF A REAR SPEED SENSOR WHICH HAVE CAUSED A LOSS OF ANTI LOCK BRAKING, TRACTION CONTROL, AND CRUISE CONTROL. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE ON OCT 14, 2020 ALSO RESULTED IN SOME ERRATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTING. ALL OF THESE THINGS IMPACT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. IN BOTH FAILURES THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE VALVES ON THE INNER REAR DUEL WHEELS BASICALLY CAN NOT BE CHECKED THROUGH THE VERY SMALL HOLES IN THE WHEEL COVERS OR EVEN WITHOUT THE WHEEL COVERS. I HAD, UPON DELIVERY OF THE SPRINTER, THE WHEELS REMOVED TO INSTALL METAL VALVE EXTENDERS SO I COULD REGULARLY CHECK TIRE PRESSURES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO CHECK TIRE PRESSURES LEADS TO NO CHECKING, UNDER INFLATION AND ON ROAD TIRE FAILURE. THE SPRINTER 3500 SHOULD COME WITH FACTORY INSTALLED ACCESSIBLE VALVE EXTENDERS. I HAVE MET MULTIPLE SPRINTER DRIVERS WHO HAVE NEVER CHECKED THEIR REAR TIRE PRESSURES. *TR
VALVE STEM LOCATION MAKE PRESSURE SENSING AND AIR FILL NEAR IMPOSSIBLE ON REAR WHEELS. NO TMPS SYSTEM WHICH WILL RESULT IN HIGHER INCIDENCE OF LOW PRESSURE AND DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATION LEADING TO ACCIDENTS. *TR *JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE VALVES ON THE INNER REAR DUEL WHEELS BASICALLY CAN NOT BE CHECKED THROUGH THE VERY SMALL HOLES IN THE WHEEL COVERS OR EVEN WITHOUT THE WHEEL COVERS. I HAD, UPON DELIVERY OF THE SPRINTER, THE WHEELS REMOVED TO INSTALL METAL VALVE EXTENDERS SO I COULD REGULARLY CHECK TIRE PRESSURES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO CHECK TIRE PRESSURES LEADS TO NO CHECKING, UNDER INFLATION AND ON ROAD TIRE FAILURE. THE SPRINTER 3500 SHOULD COME WITH FACTORY INSTALLED ACCESSIBLE VALVE EXTENDERS. I HAVE MET MULTIPLE SPRINTER DRIVERS WHO HAVE NEVER CHECKED THEIR REAR TIRE PRESSURES. *TR
VALVE STEM LOCATION MAKE PRESSURE SENSING AND AIR FILL NEAR IMPOSSIBLE ON REAR WHEELS. NO TMPS SYSTEM WHICH WILL RESULT IN HIGHER INCIDENCE OF LOW PRESSURE AND DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATION LEADING TO ACCIDENTS. *TR *JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS 120 VAC ELECTRICAL ISSUE (SHOCK HAZARD) IS IN REGARD TO AN RV - A WINNEBAGO VIEW PROFILE SITTING ATOP A MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER 3500 CHASSIS. THERE ARE TWO A/C CIRCUITS FOR "OUTLETS" (120 VAC PLUGS). #2 OUTLET CIRCUIT HAS A GROUND FAULT YET THE GFCI AT THE FIRST OUTLET IN THE CIRCUIT DOES NOT TRIP NOR DOES THE CIRCUIT BREAKER. WHEN MY RV IS POWERED FROM MY GARAGE 120 VAC GFCI PLUG IT IS NOT TRIPPED EITHER. I'VE GOTTEN ELECTRICAL SHOCKS AT THE WATER/ELECTRICAL STORAGE / ACCESS AREA WHILE ATTACHED TO A 120 VAC POWER SOURCE AND UNDER THE ENGINE WHILE SETTING STABILIZING JACKS AT A JACKING POINT IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IN ALL CASES THE RV WAS STATIONARY - EITHER AT A CAMP SITE, OR IN MY DRIVEWAY ATTACHED TO 120 VAC POWER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON MARCH 22, 2020, THE VEHICLE ENTERED THE 'LIMP HOME MODE' WHILE TRAVELING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 70 MPH. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, WARNING LIGHTS WERE PRESENT ON THE DASHBOARD FOR ABS, ESP, AND ASR, WITH CRUISE CONTROL DISABLED. THESE INDICATOR LIGHTS WOULD CLEAR OCCASIONALLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN USE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, AND THEN REAPPEAR AGAIN AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR OR TWO. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, WHERE TWO FAILED SPEED SENSORS WERE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. A YEAR LATER, THE WARNING LIGHTS ARE BACK, WITH THE LOSS OF CRUISE CONTROL. IT HAS NOT ENTERED INTO THE 'LIMP HOME MODE' AS OF NOW. I HAVE READ NEWS ARTICLES THAT WERE INITIALLY PUBLISHED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO, THAT SAID THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT IS BEING INVESTIGATED BY NHTSA. WHAT IS THE STATUS AND IS MERCEDES DOING ANYTHING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE? TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ENTER INTO 'LIMP HOME MODE' ON THE INTERSTATE WHERE SPEED LIMITS ARE 70 MPH IS A SAFETY CONCERN.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the vehicle became difficult to steer. The contact stated that she safely drove the vehicle to her residence. The contact stated that when she opened the hood, she discovered that the vehicle was leaking power steering fluid. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
2013 MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER. CONSUMER WRITES SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS TO VEHICLE. *LD *JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .