YearToAvoid

2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 ranks as the Best year among 18 model years, with only 6 complaints, a complaint index of 12, and 2 recalls, both for airbags. It ranks 16th worst out of the lineup, meaning it has one of the lowest complaint rates.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
12/100
#16 of 18 Sprinter 2500 years
Verdict
Best
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
6
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
2
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
0
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2013
rated Good

Top 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine4 (67%)
  2. Airbags2 (33%)
  3. Other2 (33%)
  4. Brakes1 (17%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Engine stalls and shakes at stops even while the driver presses the accelerator, sometimes accompanied by loud revving before the vehicle moves.
  • Owners report long waits for remedies to the passenger and driver side airbag recalls, with delays stretching years past initial notification.
  • One owner reported a technician performing recall-related service forgot to reinstall transmission bolts, triggering multiple warning lights.
  • A wheel speed sensor malfunction caused loss of ABS braking and stability control, only partially addressed by a prior recall.
2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 complaints: complaints filed per month1May 2018Nov 2018Mar 2019Aug 2021Aug 2022Mar 2023
6 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2018 to Mar 2023; peak May 2018 (1).

2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 17V480000Jul 28, 2017Airbags17,609 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  2. NHTSA 16V077000Feb 10, 2016Airbags136,361 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    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.

    Risk: 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.

2012 compared with other Sprinter 2500 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’07’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Caution53146—
2011Good41144—
2012Best1262—
2013Good29133—
2014Caution59165—

All Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2012 Sprinter 2500 has a Best verdict, the top rating among the 18 model years covered, with only 6 complaints and a complaint index of 12.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Sprinter 2500?
Engine issues make up 67% of complaints, including stalling and shaking at stops, with a median mileage at failure of 33,000 for engine problems and 23,000 overall.
Does the 2012 Sprinter 2500 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2012 Sprinter 2500, both related to airbags, including a Takata inflator recall for the front passenger airbag.
How does the 2012 Sprinter 2500 compare to other model years?
The 2012 Sprinter 2500 has a complaint index of 12, far lower than later years like 2019 (100) and 2020 (94), which are rated Avoid.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.