2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 Problems & Complaints

Better than average63% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Sprinter 2500 at the same age

Owners have filed 8 complaints about the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 63% fewer than a typical Sprinter 2500 model year at the same age, making the 2012 one of the better Sprinter 2500 years. The most reported problem area is the speed control & acceleration (3 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles). 2 recalls cover this model year.

8complaints
2recalls
0crashes
0fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 problems

  • Speed control & acceleration~50,000 miles
    338%
  • Air bags
    225%
  • Other / not specified~23,000 miles
    225%
  • Lights~25,000 miles
    113%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~20,000 miles
    113%
  • Engine & cooling
    113%
  • Brakes
    113%

Share of the 8 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 complaints by model year

’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’2414148213823281314678045401912
Owner complaints per model year, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Sprinter 2500 years: 2012, 2010, 2017. Years to avoid: 2020, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2014. Compare all years →

2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 recalls (2)

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 17V-480 · Jul 28, 2017 · 17,609 vehicles

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.

Remedy: 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.

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 16V-077 · Feb 10, 2016 · 136,361 vehicles

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…

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.

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500:

Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Failure

NHTSA investigation PE20014 · opened Sep 21, 2020 · closed Mar 30, 2021 · led to recall 21V-042

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by Daimler Vans USA, LLC (Daimler) as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers to identify incidents related to Rear Wheel Speed Sensors (RWSS) failures.

What 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 owners say

Speed control & acceleration

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated that on various occasions after coming to a stop at a traffic signal, the vehicle was stalling and shaking while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the engine revved loudly before accelerating. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer on various occasions; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to several unknown dealers for routine maintenance services, and the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 16,000.

16,000 miles · Jul 2014

Wheel speed sensor malfunction, partially addressed in NHTSA recall ID: 21V042 Why only rear speed sensors? As of Aug. 2, 2022, I am facing the replacement of both front speed sensors one of which was replaced a year ago. No ABS braking, No stability control, faulty parts creating on going safety problems not addressed in recall 21V042.

Jul 2022

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 a good car?

Based on 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Sprinter 2500 rates better than average: 63% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Sprinter 2500 at the same age. It is one of the best Sprinter 2500 years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500?

The speed control & acceleration — 3 complaints, 38% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the air bags (2) and lights (1).

How many recalls does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 have?

There are 2 recalls for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500, the most recent from July 28, 2017 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012, 2010 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2020, 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2014. See the full Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 years comparison.

At what mileage do 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 23,000 miles; 80% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.