VehicleVerdict

2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 sits mid-pack among Sprinter 2500 years: 34 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 24, with 3 recalls and one closed investigation.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 11 reports (32% of the total).

34

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2013 compare to other Sprinter 2500 years?

Sprinter 2500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 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, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sprinter 2500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags1132%
Lighting412%
Engine412%
Tires & Wheels39%
Brakes39%
Speed Control26%
Driver Assistance26%
Transmission13%
Electrical System13%
Other13%
Steering13%
Body & Structure13%

Does the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 have recalls?

3 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.

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.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V073000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 11, 2016

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS WATER IN BOTH HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. IN ADDITION, THE LOW BEAM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF TAMPA [PHONE], LOCATED AT 4400…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · September 29, 2018

“The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking engine oil with the oil warning light flashing on the instrument panel. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the VIN regarding the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 1, 2023

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE MOVED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF MASSAPEQUA (101…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 4, 2018

“I HAVE REPLACED AS OF TODAY 7/7/2015 -4 RIMS ON MY VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY KEEP CRACKING/ SPLITTING 1 EVEN HAD PIN HOLES. NOT ONLY IS THIS DANGEROUS TO ME AND WIFE. BUT COSTLY AS WELL FOR THE PRICE AND SITTING 2 DAYS WAITING FOR RIM. MY ENTIRE LIFE I HAVE NEVER OF STEEL RIMS DOING THIS.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · July 3, 2015

2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 — common questions

Is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 reliable?

It is close to typical for the Sprinter 2500: 34 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2013 Sprinter 2500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (11 complaints), engine (4 complaints), lighting (4 complaints).

Does the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 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 2013 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.