VehicleVerdict

2012 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 6 complaints on file for the 2012 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

6

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other Sprinter 3500 years?

Sprinter 3500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted7 complaints2001: 0 complaints2002: 0 complaints2003: 2 complaints2004: 0 complaints2005: 1 complaints2006: 2 complaints2007: 0 complaints2008: 7 complaints2009: 0 complaints2010: 4 complaints2011: 2 complaints2012: 6 complaints2013: 0 complaints2014: 0 complaints2015: 0 complaints2016: 3 complaints2017: 3 complaints2018: 0 complaints2019: 0 complaints2020: 0 complaints2021: 1 complaints2022: 0 complaints
Sprinter 3500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sprinter 3500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes233%
Speed Control233%
Tires & Wheels117%
Transmission117%

Does the 2012 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 have recalls?

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

21V042000Electrical SystemFebruary 3, 2021 · 48,667 units

Defect

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.

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.

“THE VEHICLE DASH BOARD HAD 4 {ECM, ABS, TRACTION AND SKID} LIGHTS, REDUCED SPEED TO 20MPH ON THE HIGHWAY RPM INCREASED OVER 3000 LOST ABILITY FOR ABS, STEARING CONTROL AND SPEED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS P003A AND P0037 POINTING TO BOTH REAR WHEEL SPEED SONSORS. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 12, 2023

“THE VEHICLE DASH BOARD HAD 4 {ECM, ABS, TRACTION AND SKID} LIGHTS, REDUCED SPEED TO 20MPH ON THE HIGHWAY RPM INCREASED OVER 3000 LOST ABILITY FOR ABS, STEARING CONTROL AND SPEED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS P003A AND P0037 POINTING TO BOTH REAR WHEEL SPEED SONSORS. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · January 12, 2023

“THE VEHICLE DASH BOARD HAD 4 {ECM, ABS, TRACTION AND SKID} LIGHTS, REDUCED SPEED TO 20MPH ON THE HIGHWAY RPM INCREASED OVER 3000 LOST ABILITY FOR ABS, STEARING CONTROL AND SPEED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS P003A AND P0037 POINTING TO BOTH REAR WHEEL SPEED SONSORS. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · January 12, 2023

“ABS SPEED SENSOR, TRACTION REAR SPEED SENSOR FAULT CODE C0037 AND C003A. SPEED REDUCES TO 20MPH HIGH ENGINE RPM REV OVER 3000 RPM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 21, 2022

2012 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 — common questions

Is the 2012 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 reliable?

The record is thin — 6 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2012 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Freightliner Sprinter 3500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Freightliner Sprinter 3500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sprinter 3500 years to avoid are 2008, 2010, 2016, 2017, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2018. The cleanest record among Sprinter 3500 years belongs to 2022.

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.