2012 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 4 complaints on file for the 2012 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other Sprinter 2500 years?

Sprinter 2500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sprinter 2500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Electrical System	1	25%	— flat
Other	1	25%	— flat
Speed Control	1	25%	new
Body & Structure	1	25%	— flat

Does the 2012 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

17V480000AirbagsJuly 28, 2017 · 17,609 units

Defect

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.

16V077000AirbagsFebruary 10, 2016 · 136,361 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I NEED TO KNOW IF THE RECALL FOR THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WAS IN EFFECT BECAUSE THIS IS SOMETHING VERY SERIOUS. MY HUSBAND DRIVES THIS VEHICLE EVERYDAY AND I WOULDN'T WANT A DEPOLYMENT OF THE BAG DUE TO A RUPTURE AND HE WOULD BE HURT. HOW DO I FIND OUT IF IT WAS DONE? I READ ABOUT THIS ON A…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · February 11, 2016

“ LOCATION OF CRUISE CONTROL ARM IS TOO CLOSE TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND TURN SIGNAL ARM. ACCIDENTAL ACTIVATION IS LIKELY AND HAS OCCURRED DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE BY EITHER ACCIDENTAL CONTACT OF THE LEFT HAND WHILE STEERING OR WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THE TURN SIGNAL. THIS CONDITION…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · May 28, 2014

“ LOCATION OF CRUISE CONTROL ARM IS TOO CLOSE TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND TURN SIGNAL ARM. ACCIDENTAL ACTIVATION IS LIKELY AND HAS OCCURRED DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE BY EITHER ACCIDENTAL CONTACT OF THE LEFT HAND WHILE STEERING OR WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THE TURN SIGNAL. THIS CONDITION…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 28, 2014

“ LOCATION OF CRUISE CONTROL ARM IS TOO CLOSE TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND TURN SIGNAL ARM. ACCIDENTAL ACTIVATION IS LIKELY AND HAS OCCURRED DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE BY EITHER ACCIDENTAL CONTACT OF THE LEFT HAND WHILE STEERING OR WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THE TURN SIGNAL. THIS CONDITION…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · May 28, 2014

2012 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 — common questions

Is the 2012 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 reliable?

The record is thin — 4 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2012 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Freightliner Sprinter 2500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Freightliner Sprinter 2500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sprinter 2500 years to avoid are 2008, 2010, 2016, 2018, 2009, 2011, 2017, 2007. The cleanest record among Sprinter 2500 years belongs to 2021.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 2012 compare to other Sprinter 2500 years?

What are the most common 2012 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 problems?

Does the 2012 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2012 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 — common questions

Is the 2012 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 reliable?

Does the 2012 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 have recalls?

Which Freightliner Sprinter 2500 years should you avoid?

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