VehicleVerdict

2013 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 2 complaints on file for the 2013 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

2

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2013 compare to other Sprinter 2500 years?

Sprinter 2500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted8 complaints2001: 0 complaints2002: 0 complaints2003: 8 complaints2004: 0 complaints2005: 5 complaints2006: 4 complaints2007: 0 complaints2008: 5 complaints2009: 2 complaints2010: 4 complaints2011: 1 complaints2012: 4 complaints2013: 2 complaints2014: 5 complaints2015: 4 complaints2016: 3 complaints2017: 0 complaints2018: 3 complaints2019: 6 complaints2020: 8 complaints2021: 0 complaints2022: 1 complaints
Sprinter 2500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sprinter 2500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags150%
Brakes150%

Does the 2013 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 have recalls?

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

18V032000AirbagsJanuary 9, 2018 · 17,413 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

17V272000Electrical SystemApril 21, 2017 · 3 units

Defect

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Freightliner Sprinter and 2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris vehicles. During vehicle servicing, the affected vehicles received software updates that may conflict with some of the vehicle's computers.

Consequence

The improper software may cause problems with the electronic stability control system, the air bag control unit or the engine management software. These problems can result in an increased risk of a crash or an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

DVUSA will notify owners, and Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner dealers will update the affected control units on the vehicles, free of charge. An interim notice was sent to owners on July 12, 2017. The recall began on September 1, 2017. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

17V093000AirbagsFebruary 10, 2017 · 15,338 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

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 WAS DELIVERY FOR DHL FOR 5 HOURS PIER TO THE ACCIDENT. I WAS ON A CITY STREET IN UPPER CHI-CHESTER, PA. WHEN I TRIED TO YIELD AND PREPARE FOR A STOP SIGN. WHEN I WENT TO APPLY THE BREAKS AND ADDED MORE PRESSURE TO THE BREAKS THEY JUST THEN DROPPED THE FLOOR. I THEN TRIED TO PUMP THE BREAKS, STILL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 24, 2015 · crash

“I WAS NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL BY MERCEDES. I CALLED THE PHONE NUMBER PROVIDED. MERCEDES GAVE ME THE PHONE NUMBER FOR MERCEDES BENZ OF SOUTHAMPTON TO REPLACE THE FAULTY AIRBAGS. I PROVIDED THEM WITH VIN NUMBER, THEY CONFIRMED THE RECALL, ORDERED PARTS, AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT. WHEN WE ARRIVED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 17, 2018

2013 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 — common questions

Is the 2013 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 reliable?

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

Does the 2013 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 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.

Related

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.