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U.S. public vehicle records

2012 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 3500: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

21 owner complaints analyzed

4 distinct recall campaigns

31,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 21 complaints (23.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior523.8%
Transmission and shifting29.5%
Engine operation29.5%
Electrical and battery issues14.8%
Steering behavior14.8%

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.

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
5
Vehicle Speed Control
5
Air Bags
4
Unknown Or Other
4
Electrical System
3
Power Train
3
Fuel/Propulsion System
2
Wheels
2
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)5
Vehicle Speed Control5
Air Bags4
Unknown Or Other4
Electrical System3
Power Train3
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Wheels2

Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Air Bags: 4; Unknown Or Other: 4; Electrical System: 3; Power Train: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Wheels: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
4
25,000 to 49,999
6
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
1
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0004
25,000 to 49,9996
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9991
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0

25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 10 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.

2013
1
2014
1
2016
1
2017
1
2018
3
2019
1
2020
6
2021
6
2026
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20131
20141
20161
20171
20183
20191
20206
20216
20261

2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 3; 2019: 1; 2020: 6; 2021: 6; 2026: 1

Pattern summary

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10491201 · 2013-01-03 (January 3, 2013)

MERCEDES UNITY CLASS B MOTORHOME. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSENGER SEAT MALFUNCTION AND LEG INJURY. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HIS WIFE SUSTAINED A SERIOUS LEG CUT WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS MOVED ALL THE WAY BACK, DUE TO THE SIDE RAILS BEING EXPOSED. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10491201 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10628368 · 2014-08-26 (August 26, 2014)

VEHICLE COMPLETELY TURNED OFF WHILE GOING 70MPH ON I95 IN JACKSONVILLE FL.LOST ALL POWER FOR STEERING, BRAKES AND ALL INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON. NO POWER FOR RADIO/A/C OR ANYTHING. MANAGED TO MANEUVER VEHICLE IN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TRAFFIC OVER 5 LANES ONTO OFFING RAMP, AND STOP ON SIDE OF RAMP. THIS WAS A VERY HORRIFIC EXPERIENCE.THE VEHICLE GAVE NO WARNING LIGHTS, JUST A MILD "BEEP" TYPE SOUND AND THEN SHUT DOWN. AFTER PULLING TO SIDE OF ROAD THERE WERE NO CODES THAT CAME UP ON DASH...COULD OF CAUSED FATALITY. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 6,738 miles reported. Look up ODI 10628368 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10910221 · 2016-09-28 (September 28, 2016)

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V077000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECAL…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10910221 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11003106 · 2017-07-05 (July 5, 2017)

WHILE IN MOTION AND ACCELERATING, VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLS WHEN ABRUPTLY TAKING FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR REQUIRING COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, SHIFT TO PARK, RESTART. AFTER RESTART, ENGINE OPERATES NORMALLY UNTIL ABRUPTLY TAKING FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR. WHEN TAKING FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR SLOWLY, ENGINE DOES NOT STALL. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON. VERY DANGEROUS ON A LEFT TURN OR IN TRAFFIC. I FOUND A SIMILAR COMPLAINT: ​NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10628368

Owner-reported narrative. 38,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11003106 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11061594 · 2018-01-10 (January 10, 2018)

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V077000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF DELRAY, 1001 LINTON BLVD, DELRAY BEACH, FL 33444) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOO…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11061594 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11094122 · 2018-05-16 (May 16, 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 TRAFF…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11094122 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11143229 · 2018-10-26 (October 26, 2018)

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-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11143229 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11206958 · 2019-05-11 (May 11, 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-reported narrative. 31,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11206958 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

14V706000 · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility

Reported: 2014-11-05 (November 5, 2014)

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.

Consequence: 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 campaign record ↗
16V077000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2016-02-10 (February 10, 2016)

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
17V480000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2017-07-28 (July 28, 2017)

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.

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
21V042000 · Electronic Stability Control (Esc):Control Module

Reported: 2021-02-03 (February 3, 2021)

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗