Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Vehicle speed control5
- Electronic stability control (esc)5
- Air bags4
- Unknown or other4
- Power train3
- Electrical system3
- Wheels2
- Fuel/propulsion system2
- Engine1
- Fuel system, diesel1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 2 injuries and 1 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 2 variants; not yet fully rated. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 CAB CHASSIS RWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 CARGO VAN RWD | — | 0.0 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- No
- Lane departure warning
- No
- Best overall rating
- —
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Recalls in Canada
4 Transport Canada recalls for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500.
| 2019455 4 Sept 2019 | Airbag Issue: On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the p… |
| 2019454 4 Sept 2019 | Airbag Issue: On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the p… |
| 2018648 26 Nov 2018 | Airbag On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, could eventually degrade the propella… |
| 2016159 13 Apr 2016 | Airbag On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inf… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Mercedes-Benz told its dealers about the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11011223 | SMOG/Emissions Test fail due to one or more Readiness Monitors not set Complaint: The vehicle has failed the State Emissions Certification because one or more of the OBDII readiness monitors are not completely set. Cause: One or more of the following Readiness Monitors are not fully set within XENTRY: Misfire Monitoring - Injection System Fuel System Monitoring - Injection System, Fuel System, EGR Valve, O2 Sensor NMHC Catalyst Monitoring - NMHC/Diesel Oxidation Catalyst NOx Aftertreatment Monitoring - SCR Catalyst System Boost Pressure System Monitoring - Turbocharger, Charge Air System Exh |
| 11001114 | Complaint A: The engine is jolting/bucking between 1700 and 1900 rpm. Complaint B: One or more mechanical related fault codes for EGR Valve stored in CDI control unit, with possible Check Engine Light. Review list of mechanical fault codes in table below. NOTE: If one or more electrical related fault codes for EGR Valve are also present in CDI, utilize Complaint C. Review list of electrical fault codes PDF document in attachments. Complaint C: One or more electrical related fault codes for EGR Valve stored in CDI control unit, with possible Check Engine Light. Review list of electrical fault c |
| 10236008 | Important safety recall information. |
| 10235998 | Additional information around the recent recall announcement affecting approximately 100,000 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner vans involving Takata driver-side airbags containing SDI type inflators |
| 10235997 | Additional information around the recent recall announcement affecting approximately 100,000 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner vans involving Takata driver-side airbags containing SDI type inflators |
| 10235993 | recall campaign announcement. |
| 10235992 | Takata airbag recall campaign announcement |
| 10235073 | Emissions. |
| 10232322 | Complaint Engine runs irregularly and it shakes. Indicator lamp lights up. Information: Fault codes for injectors and/or combustion misfires may be stored in the CDI control unit: On engine 642 cylinder 6 is affected. On engine 651 cylinder 2 is affected. Cause Charge air from the exhaust gas recirculation is condensed after being introduced into the charge air section. Information: Under certain operating conditions, condensation that has collected in the charge air cooler can enter the combustion chamber to a damaging degree and a damage profile is then generated (connecting rod be |
| 10231020 | Complaint Various issues including control unit programming procedure will not complete successfully/no newer software found, communication faults, or sporadic malfunction of systems. Cause Aftermarket CAN device could be installed into the vehicle's CAN network. Such devices can be but are not limited to, remote start modules, CAN blockers, or high idle modules. Remedy A successful control unit programming session cannot be ensured while aftermarket devices are connected to the vehicle's CAN network. Some of the device companies supply a bypass to allow control unit programming. |
| 10214960 | Complaint After installing new NOx sensors during the Approved Emission Modification (AEM), the Exhaust Aftertreatment Customer Service Measure in XENTRY/DAS displays incorrect NOx sensor part number values, X's, or no part numbers at all. The Approved Emission Modification (AEM) Exhaust Aftertreatment Customer Service Measure stops in error |
| 10214730 | 2020060005 Modification to the emissions control system |
| 10214729 | 2020040008 Modification to the emissions control system |
| 10212902 | Modification to the emission control system. |
| 10207182 | Complaint Oil loss from engine or visible traces of oil in the engine compartment. Cause To be determined in each possible situation Remedy Procedure for cause analysis: 1. Clean the engine if necessary. 2. Apply leak tracing powder. 3. Perform a test drive. 4. Locate the oil leak. 5. Perform the repair in accordance with the specific WIS document appropriate for the cause of the oil leak. |
| 10206073 | Various complaints due to aftermarket OBDII device installed |
| 10206072 | "The monitor status this driving cycle (PID 41) can be displayed as disabled in the generic scan tool although no monitor of this group is disabled " |
| 10205442 | 2020060005 Modification to the emissions control system |
| 10205441 | 2020040008 Modification to the emissions control system |
| 10205221 | Headlamps and lamps fogged and/or leaking. |
| 10205151 | Coolant, vacuum, temperature fault codes. |
| 10202549 | Replace Wheel Speed Sensors |
| 10202548 | Replace Wheel Speed Sensors |
| 10191542 | Per Mercedes-Benz: In our continuing efforts to assure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, MBUSA is extending the warranty of the exhaust gas temperature sensor for the affected vehicles to a total of 11 years/ 120,000 miles from the vehicle's original New Vehicle Limited Warranty start date. This addendum to the exhaust gas temperature sensor coverage applies to the vehicle regardless of ownership. |
| 10181267 | Initial Notice - STOP SALE - Pending Emissions Modification |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Failure
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation