2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500, most often about acceleration & cruise control. There are 5 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
18
Recalls
5
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Median mileage
33,600 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Acceleration & Cruise Control is the most-reported problem area, named in 11 of 18 complaints (61%).
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech (9) and brakes (5) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 33,600 mi.
  • The 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 has 5 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
  • It ranks 7th of 17 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 38% more complaints than the 2012 model year (13).

2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 problems by category

  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    11 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    9 complaints
  • Brakes
    5 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    3 complaints
  • Steering
    1 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Vehicle speed control8
Electronic stability control (esc)8
Vehicle speed control:cruise control3
Service brakes3
Unknown or other3
Service brakes, air:antilock:wheel speed sensor2
Steering:hydraulic power assist:power steering fluid1
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking1

When problems happen (mileage)

Under 10k410k–30k730k–60k360k–100k100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 complaints that list mileage.

2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 recalls (5)

  • Recall 21V042000Feb 3, 202148,667 vehicles
    ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE

    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.

    Risk: If ESC becomes disabled, vehicle driving stability may be impacted under certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.

    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.

  • Recall 18V032000Jan 9, 201817,413 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

    Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2013 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of 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 explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag module, free of charge. Daimler issued an interim notification to owners on March 13, 2018. The recall began December 28, 2018. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

  • Recall 17V093000Feb 10, 201715,338 vehicles
    AIR BAGS

    Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 and Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vans. These vehicles were manufactured without a reinforcement plate and protective bracket on the air bag control unit. As a result, the air bag control unit may not remain functional after the initial impact, possibly preventing additional air bags from deploying in response to a secondary impact.

    Risk: If additional air bags do not deploy as intended, the occupants are at an increased risk of injury.

    Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will install a reinforcement plate and protective bracket around the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2017. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

  • Recall 16V077000Feb 10, 2016136,361 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

    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.

    Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

    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.

  • Recall 14V706000Nov 5, 201434 vehicles
    EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

    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.

    Risk: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.

    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.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • PE20014Opened Sep 21, 2020Closed Mar 30, 2021led to recall 21V042000

    Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Failure

    The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by Daimler Vans USA, LLC (Daimler) as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers to identify incidents related to Rear Wheel Speed Sensors (RWSS) failures. ODI's analysis identified 6,710 incidents of RWSS failure (unique VINs) in MY 2012-2018 Mercedes- Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles upfitted to campers or recreational vehicles (RVs) representing 81 percent of all Sprinter RWSS reports. Complaint and warranty analysis indicated that the majority of incidents (approximately 99%) were related to RWSS mois…

Recent 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Oct 6, 202361,000 miWASteering
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11548679 · source
  2. Filed Jun 8, 2023VAOther / Unknown
    My Sprinter van was purchased used, and I was alerted of a recall on my vehicle where I took it in for service. However, the issues were not addressed and caused further damage to my vehicle. When I addressed those issues, I contacted the manufacturer, who refused to reimburse me for the repairs. The vehicle, despite it still being "fixed", continues to have ongoing issues related to the recall.
    NHTSA complaint #11525948 · source
  3. Filed Jun 28, 202234,200 miWADriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11471421 · source
  4. Filed Aug 23, 202141,000 miNCAcceleration & Cruise Control
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11430199 · source
  5. Filed Jul 27, 202112,200 miWADriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated while driving 65 mph, the ABS warning light and two other unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated he continued to drive the vehicle. The contact stated the vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired however, the contact replaced the driver’s side rear wheel speed sensor himself. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V042000 (Electronic Stability…
    NHTSA complaint #11426696 · source
  6. Filed Jul 20, 2021ILAcceleration & Cruise Control
    Speed sensor failures caused ESP & ABD disabled. Both front and rear sensors had problems frequently! The mechanics at different dealership told me that the sensor has design deficiencies and it happens all the time.
    NHTSA complaint #11425594 · source
  7. Filed Jun 25, 202133,000 miWAAcceleration & Cruise Control
    The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact received a repair for the rear wheel speed sensors and now they were unable to exceed 50 mph while driving. The contact stated that the vehicle was possibly in Limp Mode. The contact contacted the dealer who performed the repair however, the contact was unable to take the vehicle in for an appointment. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure…
    NHTSA complaint #11422319 · source
  8. Filed May 12, 2021NVDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    Tl* the contact owns a 2013 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 unavailable. The contact called mercedes-benz of reno (11500 s virginia st, reno, nv 89511, [phone removed]) and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…
    NHTSA complaint #11416302 · source

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Other 2013 Mercedes-Benz models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology