YearToAvoid

2010 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

No verdict

Complaint Index

0/100

#15 most-complained of 15 Sprinter 3500 years

The 2010 Sprinter 3500 has only 4 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 0, ranking 15th (best) among 15 model years with data. It carries 6 recalls, mainly airbags, seat belts, structure, and fuel system.

Complaints
4
Recalls
6
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2010 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine2 (50%)
  2. Airbags1 (25%)
  3. Brakes1 (25%)

What owners report

  • Engine manifold actuator motor failed around 18,777 miles, with a mechanic noting the part breaks frequently.
  • Engine lost power and would not exceed 15-20 mph, with the check engine light coming on during highway driving.
  • Brake pedal sank to the floorboard without warning at various speeds, requiring the driver to pump it repeatedly to stop, with failure reported at a median mileage of 74,500.
2010 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 complaints: complaints filed per month1Mar 2018May 2018Aug 2018Sep 2021
4 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2018 to Sep 2021; peak Mar 2018 (1).

2010 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 recalls

6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 17V479000Jul 28, 2017Airbags20,665 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2010-2011 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 began on January 12, 2018. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-379.

  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.

  3. NHTSA 14V706000Nov 5, 2014Other34 vehicles

    Equipment adaptive/mobility

    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.

    Risk: 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.

See all 6 recalls for the 2010 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 →

2010 compared with other Sprinter 3500 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010No verdict046—
2011Best784—
2012Avoid79214—

All Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 reliable?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2010 Sprinter 3500 has a complaint index of 0 and only 4 complaints, ranking best (15th of 15) among model years with data.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Sprinter 3500?
NHTSA complaints show engine issues as the top problem area, accounting for 50% of complaints, followed by airbags and brakes at 25% each.
Does the 2010 Sprinter 3500 have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2010 Sprinter 3500, covering airbags, seat belts, structure and body trim, and a fuel system oil filler neck issue. None are do-not-drive recalls.
At what mileage do problems typically show up on the 2010 Sprinter 3500?
NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage at failure of 19,000 miles overall, with engine complaints at a median of 18,888.5 miles and a brake complaint at 74,500 miles.

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.