2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
57/100
#7 most-complained of 15 Sprinter 3500 years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 has a Complaint Index of 57 and ranks 7th worst of 15 model years, earning a Caution rating. NHTSA lists 27 complaints and 5 recalls, led by Airbags at 44% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 27
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags12 (44%)
- Brakes9 (33%)
- Engine7 (26%)
- Other2 (7%)
- Electrical System1 (4%)
- Steering1 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (4%)
What owners report
- Owners report brake pedals that feel soft or spongy and must be pumped to build firm pressure, sometimes traveling to the floor before stopping.
- Several owners describe long waits for Takata airbag recall parts, with vehicles left unrepaired past a reasonable time frame.
- One owner reported losing motive power while turning and accelerating, with the ABS, traction control, and check engine lights illuminating and the van entering limp mode.
- An owner described a ground fault in a 120-volt AC outlet circuit tied to an RV conversion, where the circuit breaker failed to trip.
- One owner said the rear dual wheel valves were nearly impossible to check without removing wheel covers, making tire pressure monitoring difficult.
2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V042000Feb 3, 2021Brakes48,667 vehicles
Electronic stability control (esc):control module
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.
Risk: 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.
- 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.
See all 5 recalls for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 →
2013 compared with other Sprinter 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2013 Sprinter 3500 a Complaint Index of 57 and a Caution verdict, ranking 7th worst out of 15 model years covered. Airbags are the top reported problem area, making up 44% of complaints.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2013 Sprinter 3500?
- Airbags account for 44% of complaints (12 of 27), with a median failure mileage of 7,000 miles, related to Takata inflator recalls. Brakes follow at 33% of complaints, with a median mileage of 23,500 miles.
- Does the 2013 Sprinter 3500 have an airbag recall?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 16V077000 covers Takata airbags, and recall 18V032000 covers a separate front passenger airbag module replacement, plus recall 17V093000 for a reinforcement plate around the airbag control unit.
- How does the 2013 Sprinter 3500 compare to other years?
- The 2013 model's Complaint Index of 57 is worse than 2011 (7), 2018 (14), and 2020-2022 (36-43), but better than 2016 (100), 2014 (93), and 2019 (86), which carry Avoid verdicts.