VehicleVerdict

2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 11 complaints on file for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz 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.

11

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other Sprinter 2500 years?

Sprinter 2500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted132 complaints2007: 1 complaints2009: 2 complaints2010: 20 complaints2011: 17 complaints2012: 11 complaints2013: 34 complaints2014: 43 complaints2015: 29 complaints2016: 41 complaints2017: 15 complaints2018: 22 complaints2019: 95 complaints2020: 132 complaints2021: 82 complaints2022: 60 complaints2023: 26 complaints2024: 17 complaints2025: 4 complaints
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 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Speed Control327%
Other218%
Airbags218%
Visibility & Wipers19%
Lighting19%
Brakes19%
Engine19%

Does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz 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.

“Wheel speed sensor malfunction, partially addressed in NHTSA recall ID: 21V042 Why only rear speed sensors? As of Aug. 2, 2022, I am facing the replacement of both front speed sensors one of which was replaced a year ago. No ABS braking, No stability control, faulty parts creating on going safety…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · July 15, 2022

“CHECK ENGINE AND DEF LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I CAN ONLY PUT A QUART OF DEF IN TANK ONLY HAVE 23000 MILES ON ENGINE. LIGHT CLEARS AFTER ADDING ONLY A QUART AND RESTATRTING AND DRIVING. THEN RETURNS IN A SHORT WHILE. SHOULDNT THIS BE COVERED UNDER THE EMISSION WTTY. YEAR 2012 MERCEDES SPRINTER 3500”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 12, 2018

“TAKATA RECALL- WE HAVE BEEN WAITING 3 YEARS FOR A FIX FOR THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG RECALL SINCE WE WERE FIRST NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG. THE RECALL WAS EFFECTIVE 02/11/2016. WE WERE NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM NEARLY A YEAR BEFORE THE RECALL BECAME EFFECTIVE. WE HAVE ALSO BEEN WAITING FOR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 1, 2015

“Had a service call to repair recall items. Technician forgot to install bolts holding the transmission which led to multiple light alerts. Could have been dangerous for driver. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 12, 2021

“Wheel speed sensor malfunction, partially addressed in NHTSA recall ID: 21V042 Why only rear speed sensors? As of Aug. 2, 2022, I am facing the replacement of both front speed sensors one of which was replaced a year ago. No ABS braking, No stability control, faulty parts creating on going safety…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 15, 2022

2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 — common questions

Is the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 reliable?

The record is thin — 11 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2012 Sprinter 2500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are speed control (3 complaints), other (2 complaints), airbags (2 complaints).

Does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 have recalls?

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

Is the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sprinter 2500 years to avoid are 2020, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2010, 2011, 2017. The cleanest record among Sprinter 2500 years belongs to 2007.

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.