2013 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 3500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
27 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
23,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 27 complaints (44.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 29.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 7.4% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 12 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 5 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Wheel Speed Sensor | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
Air Bags: 12; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 5; Service Brakes: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Wheel Speed Sensor: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control: 2; Electrical System: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 14 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2014: 1; 2015: 2; 2016: 3; 2017: 4; 2018: 5; 2019: 2; 2020: 8; 2021: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10778175 · 2015-09-28 (September 28, 2015)
BRAKES ARE SOFT AND SPONGY. WHEN DEPRESSED, THE PEDAL WILL TRAVEL TO THE FLOOR MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STOP. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER IN MARCH, 2015, BUT THAT DID NOT CHANGE THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKES. MY UNDERSTANDING FROM VISITING SEVERAL FORUMS IS THAT THIS A COMMON COMPLAINT FROM OTHER SPRINTER OWNERS, YET MERCEDES BENZ SAYS THEY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF BRAKE ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLES. THE BRAKES ARE DANGEROUS AS THEY CURRENTLY OPERATE.
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10778175 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10779280 · 2015-10-02 (October 2, 2015)
BRAKE PEDAL IS SPONGY AND MUST BE PUMPED TO GET A FIRM PEDAL. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER TWICE AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ISSUE, AND THEY TELL ME EVERYTHING IS NORMAL. WHEN YOU HAVE TO MAKE A SUDDEN SURPRISE STOP THE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10779280 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10888826 · 2016-07-26 (July 26, 2016)
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 E…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10888826 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11341988 · 2020-07-29 (July 29, 2020)
I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE SPEED SENSOR ON THE RIGHT BACK WHEELS 3 TIMES. THIS AFFECTS ELECTRICAL STABILITY CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND ABS SYSTEM. IT IS UNUSUAL AND EXPENSIVE TO BE DOING THIS. LAST TIME WAS APRIL 2019. I HAVE TO TAKE IT IN TO THE MERCEDES AGAIN TO CHANGE IT.
Owner-reported narrative. 74,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11341988 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11548679 · 2023-10-06 (October 6, 2023)
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 approxi…
Owner-reported narrative. 61,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11548679 at NHTSA ↗