2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 recalls and problems

4 recalls and 21 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500.

4
recalls
21
owner complaints
1
complaints mentioning a crash
1
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 recalls

Electronic stability control (ESC): control module

NHTSA campaign 21V042000 · reported February 3, 2021 · Daimler Vans USA, LLC · 48,667 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
If ESC becomes disabled, vehicle driving stability may be impacted under certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
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.

Air bags: frontal, passenger side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 17V480000 · reported July 28, 2017 · Daimler Vans USA, LLC · 17,609 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix
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.

Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 16V077000 · reported February 10, 2016 · Daimler Vans USA, LLC · 136,361 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The 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.
The fix
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.

Equipment adaptive/mobility

NHTSA campaign 14V706000 · reported November 5, 2014 · Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply · 34 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The 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.
The fix
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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Aug 31, 2026 · Service brakes

This vehicle was subject to NHTSA Recall Number 19V003 involving failure of rear wheel speed sensors. The recall was completed by a dealer in April 2022 at 70,466 miles. At just under 90,000 miles in August 2026 a failure was indicated for the right rear wheel speed sensor. Error code C003A indicated on OBD-II…

Jun 28, 2021 · Electronic stability control (ESC)

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V042000 (Electronic Stability Control) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The manufacturer…

May 14, 2021 · Engine · 11,400 miles

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO START UP AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS, WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED SEVERAL UNKNOWN DEALERS AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS…

May 14, 2021 · Unknown or other

WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL TIMES TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH TO START THE VEHICLE.IT MAY START EACH TIME FOR WEEKS AND THEN YOU MIGHT TRY 30 TOMES BEFORE IT WOULD START AGAIN. IF ONE HAD AN EMERGENCY AND NEEDED TO FIND A DOCTOR QUICK YOU WOULD BE HOPING THAT IT WOULD START. I WOULD ENCOURAGE SOMEONE…

Mar 19, 2021 · Vehicle speed control · 129,000 miles

ON OR ABOUT MARCH 11TH, I WENT TO MERCEDES BENZ OF 4000 N. MAIN STREET, GAINESVILLE FL. TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE SAFETY RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 21V042000 ON MY 2012 SPRINTER 3500 ( VIN WDA PF4CA2C9519207,PRODUCTION DATE 04/12/2012). I MET WITH MICHAEL POTTEIGER, ASST. SERVICE MANAGER. TO MY DISMAY, MR…

Sprinter 3500 model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2009 1101
2010 6400
2011 4800
2012 42111
2013 54500
2014 75521
2015 153700

Across all years, the 2016 Sprinter 3500 has the most complaints (62). All Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 years →

Questions

Does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500, the most recent reported on February 3, 2021 (Electronic stability control (ESC): control module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500?
Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electronic stability control (esc) (5 complaints), followed by vehicle speed control (5).
How many 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 complaints mention a crash or fire?
1 of 21 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 2 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received August 31, 2026.