2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 has a complaint index of 29 and ranks 13th worst out of 18 model years, earning a Good verdict. NHTSA lists 13 complaints and 3 recalls, with airbags making up 69% of complaints, mostly tied to Takata inflator recall parts delays.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 29/100
- #13 of 18 Sprinter 2500 years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 13
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Airbags
Top 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags9 (69%)
- Electrical System2 (15%)
- Engine2 (15%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (8%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report delays getting Takata airbag recall parts, with some waiting beyond a reasonable repair timeframe.
- One owner reported the driver's side airbag was replaced under recall but the passenger side was not.
- Owners describe water intrusion in both headlight assemblies causing condensation and a low-beam warning light, making night driving difficult.
- One owner reported an engine warning light with a message limiting the vehicle to 5 more starts and a 340-mile range after EGR valve and emissions tank/heater repairs.
- One owner described cruise control disengaging at 65 mph along with ABS and other warning lights activating at 33,500 miles.
2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V032000Jan 9, 2018Airbags17,413 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 17V093000Feb 10, 2017Airbags15,338 vehicles
Air bags
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.
Risk: 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.
- 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.
2013 compared with other Sprinter 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 Sprinter 2500 has a complaint index of 29, ranking 13th worst among 18 model years, which earns it a Good verdict relative to other Sprinter 2500 years.
- What problems does the 2013 Sprinter 2500 have?
- NHTSA data shows 13 complaints, with airbags accounting for 69% of them, largely tied to Takata recall parts availability. Electrical system issues, including headlight water intrusion, and engine problems each account for 15%.
- Does the 2013 Sprinter 2500 have an airbag recall?
- Yes. It has three airbag-related recall campaigns, including two Takata inflator recalls (18V032000 and 16V077000) and a reinforcement plate recall (17V093000).
- How does the 2013 Sprinter 2500 compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 29 is lower than 2010 (53), 2014 (59), and 2016 (65), all rated Caution, and far lower than 2019 and 2020, which are rated Avoid with complaint indexes of 100 and 94.