2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 has a complaint index of 53 and ranks 9th out of 18 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 27 complaints and 5 recalls, with airbags as the top problem area at 44% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 53/100
- #9 of 18 Sprinter 3500 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 27
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Airbags
Top 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
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 soft, spongy brake pedals that sink toward the floor and require pumping to build firm stopping pressure.
- Some describe delayed or unavailable parts for the Takata airbag recall, leaving the front passenger airbag unresolved for extended periods.
- One owner reported a loss of motive power during a turn, with ABS, traction control, and check engine warning lights illuminated, resolved by driving in limp mode.
- An RV owner built on the Sprinter chassis reported a 120-volt AC ground fault issue causing a shock hazard that did not trip the GFCI or circuit breaker.
- One owner noted that dual rear wheel valve stems were difficult to access through the wheel covers, making tire pressure checks hard to perform.
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 53, ranking it 9th out of 18 model years, which places it in the Caution range compared to other years of this model.
- What are the most common problems on the 2013 Sprinter 3500?
- Airbags account for 44% of complaints, followed by brakes at 33% and engine issues at 26%, based on NHTSA complaint data.
- Does the 2013 Sprinter 3500 have a Takata airbag recall?
- Yes. NHTSA campaign 16V077000 covers Takata airbag issues on the 2013 Sprinter 3500, and several owners reported long waits for replacement parts.
- How many recalls does the 2013 Sprinter 3500 have?
- NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2013 Sprinter 3500, covering brakes, airbags, and other components.
- Is the 2013 Sprinter 3500 better or worse than other years?
- It ranks 9th of 18 years with a complaint index of 53, better than the 2012, 2014, and 2016 Avoid years but worse than the 2011 Best year.