VehicleVerdict

2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 31 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.6 times the median Sprinter 3500 year — the 2012 model ranks #7 of 18 Sprinter 3500 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 3 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 8 reports (26% of the total).

31

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

3

Injuries

2

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other Sprinter 3500 years?

Sprinter 3500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted95 complaints2007: 0 complaints2008: 3 complaints2009: 1 complaints2010: 4 complaints2011: 9 complaints2012: 31 complaints2013: 62 complaints2014: 83 complaints2015: 63 complaints2016: 95 complaints2017: 40 complaints2018: 17 complaints2019: 43 complaints2020: 22 complaints2021: 13 complaints2022: 12 complaints2023: 25 complaints2024: 4 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 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System826%
Speed Control516%
Airbags413%
Other413%
Transmission310%
Fuel System310%
Tires & Wheels26%
Seats13%
Engine13%

Does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 have recalls?

4 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.

14V706000OtherNovember 5, 2014 · 34 units

Defect

Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply (Cummings) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, E-350, Chevrolet Express, 2006-2008 Dodge Sprinter, and 2009-2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2013 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured January 1, 2006, to October 8, 2014, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation after January 1, 2006. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.

Consequence

If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.

Remedy

Cummings will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2015. Owners may contact Cumming's customer service at 1-800-639-5438 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Cumming's number for this recall is 14E-041.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN CLEAR WEATHER, ABS/BAS/ESP WARNING LIGHTS TURN ON CAUSING LIMITED DRIVING DUE TO NO ABS BRAKING CRUISE CONTROL, OR STABILITY CONTROL. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES ON VARIOUS WHEELS OF MY SPRINTER 3500 FROM 2013-2019. THE FAILURE OF THESE SENSORS CAUSES A VERY UNSAFE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 12, 2019

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN CLEAR WEATHER, ABS/BAS/ESP WARNING LIGHTS TURN ON CAUSING LIMITED DRIVING DUE TO NO ABS BRAKING CRUISE CONTROL, OR STABILITY CONTROL. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES ON VARIOUS WHEELS OF MY SPRINTER 3500 FROM 2013-2019. THE FAILURE OF THESE SENSORS CAUSES A VERY UNSAFE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · June 12, 2019

MY SON CHRISTOPHER JOHN LEE HOWARD WAS IS TRAGIC ACCIDENT IN DALLAS ON SEPT 11,2020 AND DIED AS A RESULT SEVERE INJURIES INTERNAL INJURIES THAT LEAD TO MAJOR BLEEDING OF THE STOMACH AND UPPER TORSO.*DT*DT*JB

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 11, 2020 · crash

MY SON CHRISTOPHER JOHN LEE HOWARD WAS IS TRAGIC ACCIDENT IN DALLAS ON SEPT 11,2020 AND DIED AS A RESULT SEVERE INJURIES INTERNAL INJURIES THAT LEAD TO MAJOR BLEEDING OF THE STOMACH AND UPPER TORSO.*DT*DT*JB

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 11, 2020 · crash

THIS IS A SECOND OCCURANCE OF A PROBLEM REPORTED UNDER COMPLAINT NO. 11094122. THIS TIME THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON (CEL, ABS, ESC AND ASC). DEALER DIAGNOSED IT AS A 'MALFUNCTIONNING RPM SENSOR'.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 1, 2020

2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 — common questions

Is the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 31 complaints put the 2012 model at #7 of 18 Sprinter 3500 years. It is one of the Sprinter 3500 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2012 Sprinter 3500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (8 complaints), speed control (5 complaints), other (4 complaints).

Does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. 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 3500 under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sprinter 3500 years to avoid are 2016, 2014, 2015, 2013, 2019, 2017, 2012, 2018, 2011, 2010. The cleanest record among Sprinter 3500 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.