FaultScore

FaultScore report

2013 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 3500 problems

Owners have filed 36 complaints about the 2013 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 3500 with NHTSA between 2014 and 2023. The largest single group is the airbags. Across this model's run it ranks 8 of 12 worst.

C

FaultScore 44/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Mercedes Benz Sprinter 3500.

How this is worked out

The numbers

36

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

27,800 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

67%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 47 vs 50 Severity 0 vs 50 Early failure 100 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 47
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz Sprinter 3500. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 100
67% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2013 compares with every other Mercedes Benz Sprinter 3500

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2013 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 3500

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Airbags 12 33.3%

Median failure at 7,000 miles

Acceleration & Cruise Control 6 16.7%

Median failure at 32,000 miles

Brakes 6 16.7%

Median failure at 22,000 miles

Stability & Traction Control 5 13.9%

Median failure at 48,445 miles

Other & Unspecified 2 5.6%

Median failure at 54,945 miles

Wheels 1 2.8%

Median failure at 970 miles

Tires 1 2.8%

Median failure at 970 miles

Steering 1 2.8%

Median failure at 61,000 miles

Electrical System 1 2.8%

Median failure at 7,000 miles

Engine & Cooling 1 2.8%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 3 14.3%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 3 14.3%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 4 19.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 5 23.8%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 6 28.6%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Sep 2014 peak 6 Oct 2023

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 61,000 miles Vashon, WA

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the vehicle became difficult to steer. The contact stated that she safely drove the vehicle to her residence. The contact stated that when she opened the hood, she discovered that the vehicle was leaking power steering fluid. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.

NHTSA complaint #11548679 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Carson City, NV

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 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 UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF RENO (11500 S VIRGINIA ST, RENO, NV 89511, (855) 661-9151) AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11416302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Newland, NC

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

2013 MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ABS SYSTEM FAILURE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE WHEEL SENSORS FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES, WHILE DRIVING. THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE FAILED SENSORS.

NHTSA complaint #11376615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Newland, NC

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR

2013 MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ABS SYSTEM FAILURE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE WHEEL SENSORS FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES, WHILE DRIVING. THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE FAILED SENSORS.

NHTSA complaint #11376615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 64,890 miles Park Ridge, IL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSORS FAILED 2 YEARS AGO 2 REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSORS FAILED TWO WEEKS AGO.0

NHTSA complaint #11365355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 64,890 miles Park Ridge, IL

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSORS FAILED 2 YEARS AGO 2 REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSORS FAILED TWO WEEKS AGO.0

NHTSA complaint #11365355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 64,890 miles Park Ridge, IL

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

1 REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSORS FAILED 2 YEARS AGO 2 REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSORS FAILED TWO WEEKS AGO.0

NHTSA complaint #11365355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 32,000 miles Galien, MI

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHEEL SENSORS FAILURE CAUSES LOSS OF ABS BRAKING , CRUISE CONTROL AND TRACTION CONTROL. WHEN THIS OCCURS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO LIMP MODE AND RAPID REDUCTION OF SPEED. ALL OF THE ABOVE CAUSES A HAZARDOUS SITUATION ON THE FREEWAY. WE HAVE HAD 2 FAIL AND MANY OF OUR FRIENDS HAVE EXPERIENCED CTHE SAME.

NHTSA complaint #11364346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 32,000 miles Galien, MI

SERVICE BRAKES

WHEEL SENSORS FAILURE CAUSES LOSS OF ABS BRAKING , CRUISE CONTROL AND TRACTION CONTROL. WHEN THIS OCCURS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO LIMP MODE AND RAPID REDUCTION OF SPEED. ALL OF THE ABOVE CAUSES A HAZARDOUS SITUATION ON THE FREEWAY. WE HAVE HAD 2 FAIL AND MANY OF OUR FRIENDS HAVE EXPERIENCED CTHE SAME.

NHTSA complaint #11364346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 32,000 miles Galien, MI

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

WHEEL SENSORS FAILURE CAUSES LOSS OF ABS BRAKING , CRUISE CONTROL AND TRACTION CONTROL. WHEN THIS OCCURS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO LIMP MODE AND RAPID REDUCTION OF SPEED. ALL OF THE ABOVE CAUSES A HAZARDOUS SITUATION ON THE FREEWAY. WE HAVE HAD 2 FAIL AND MANY OF OUR FRIENDS HAVE EXPERIENCED CTHE SAME.

NHTSA complaint #11364346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Laguna Beach, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE AWNING ATTACHED TO THE VAN AND MANUFACTURED BY FIAMMA DOES NOT EXTEND OR RETRACT CORRECTLY AND BREAKS DOWN EVERY SINGLE TIME WE HAVE HAD IT FIXED. THE MOTOR HAS TO BE REPLACED EACH TIME WHICH IS MONEY OUT OF OUR POCKET.

NHTSA complaint #11350610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 74,000 miles West Point, NY

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE SPEED SENSOR ON THE RIGHT BACK WHEELS 3 TIMES. THIS AFFECTS ELECTRICAL STABILITY CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND ABS SYSTEM. IT IS UNUSUAL AND EXPENSIVE TO BE DOING THIS. LAST TIME WAS APRIL 2019. I HAVE TO TAKE IT IN TO THE MERCEDES AGAIN TO CHANGE IT.

NHTSA complaint #11341988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 74,000 miles West Point, NY

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE SPEED SENSOR ON THE RIGHT BACK WHEELS 3 TIMES. THIS AFFECTS ELECTRICAL STABILITY CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND ABS SYSTEM. IT IS UNUSUAL AND EXPENSIVE TO BE DOING THIS. LAST TIME WAS APRIL 2019. I HAVE TO TAKE IT IN TO THE MERCEDES AGAIN TO CHANGE IT.

NHTSA complaint #11341988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 22,000 miles Tyler, TX

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR CEASED TO OPERATE WITH THE ABS WARNING LIGHT, ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP) WARNING LIGHT AND ANOTHER UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT INITIALLY TOOK THE MOTORHOME TO (MERCEDES-BENZ OF TYLER (3274 PROFESSIONAL DR, TYLER, TX 75701) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A DEFECTIVE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. THE SPEED SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RECENTLY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR FAILURE WITH SIMILAR WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE MOTORHOME WAS THEN TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF SHREVEPORT (1330 E BERT KOUNS INDUSTRIAL LOOP, SHREVEPORT, LA 71105) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

NHTSA complaint #11331832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 22,000 miles Tyler, TX

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR CEASED TO OPERATE WITH THE ABS WARNING LIGHT, ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP) WARNING LIGHT AND ANOTHER UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT INITIALLY TOOK THE MOTORHOME TO (MERCEDES-BENZ OF TYLER (3274 PROFESSIONAL DR, TYLER, TX 75701) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A DEFECTIVE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. THE SPEED SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RECENTLY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR FAILURE WITH SIMILAR WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE MOTORHOME WAS THEN TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF SHREVEPORT (1330 E BERT KOUNS INDUSTRIAL LOOP, SHREVEPORT, LA 71105) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

NHTSA complaint #11331832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 23,500 miles Brownsville, TX

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE WAS ABNORMAL CRUNCHING NOISE DETECTED. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PARK PLACE MOTORCARS MERCEDES-BENZ FORT WORTH (5601 BRYANT IRVIN RD, FORT WORTH, TX 76132) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RPM SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER THE FAILURE REOCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,500.*BF

NHTSA complaint #11322346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 23,500 miles Brownsville, TX

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE WAS ABNORMAL CRUNCHING NOISE DETECTED. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PARK PLACE MOTORCARS MERCEDES-BENZ FORT WORTH (5601 BRYANT IRVIN RD, FORT WORTH, TX 76132) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RPM SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER THE FAILURE REOCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,500.*BF

NHTSA complaint #11322346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 27,800 miles Langley, WA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER WITH SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INCLUDING; THE ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IN LIMP MODE TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF LYNNWOOD LOCATED AT (17800 HWY 99, LYNNWOOD, WA 98037) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A DEFECTIVE SPEED SENSOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEED SENSOR WAS REPLACED ON THREE TIMES. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND RECEIVED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 27,800.

NHTSA complaint #11317336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Buffalo, MI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

2013 MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER. CONSUMER WRITES SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS TO VEHICLE. *LD

NHTSA complaint #11231314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Watsonville, CA

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V032000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF STEVENS CREEK (4500 STEVENS CREEK BLVD, SAN JOSE, CA 95129, (408) 641-4610) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA complaint #11164602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Toledo, OH

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500 (M3DB170E). THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V032000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED VIN DEVERS AUTOHAUS OF SYLVANIA AT 419-885-5111 (LOCATED AT 5570 MONROE STREET, DRIVEWAY 1, SYLVANIA, OH 43560) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11144898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Boulder, CO

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V077000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF WESTMINSTER (10391 WESTMINSTER BLVD, WESTMINSTER, CO 80020, (303) 410-7800) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA complaint #11109716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Livingston, NJ

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V032000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF PARAMUS (755 ROUTE 17, PARAMUS, NJ) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #11101565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wimauma, FL

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V032000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF TAMPA (4400 N DALE MABRY HWY, TAMPA, FL 33614, (813) 579-2138) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11097179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fallbrook, CA

AIR BAGS

2013 MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER 3500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PARTS BEING UNAVAILABLE FOR REPAIR OF SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #11082948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.