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.
The worst 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags12
- Acceleration6
- Brakes6
- Driver assistance5
- Electrical1
- Engine1
- Steering1
- Tires1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500
Recalls 5
Electronic stability control (ESC): control module
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 21V042000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 18V032000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 17V093000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
- 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. 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.
Recall number 16V077000 · Recall details
Equipment adaptive/mobility
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 14V706000 · Recall details
See all 5 recalls for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500
Defect investigations
Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Failure
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. ODI's analysis identified 6,710 incidents of RWSS failure (unique VINs) in MY 2012-2018 Mercedes- Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles upfitted to campers or recreational vehicles (RVs) representing 81 percent of all Sprinter RWSS reports. Complaint and warranty analysis indicated that the majority of incidents (approximately 99%) were related to RWSS moisture intrusion condition in the Sprinter 3500 5-ton variant, which accounts for 98 percent of upfit campers, where moisture build-up and crystal dendrite formation develop in parked RVs and lead to sensor failures. According to the Daimler Information Request (IR) response, if the wheel speed information is detected as implausible by the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) control unit, the ESP system enters a failsafe mode where:-Driver torque requests are no longer accepted;-Cruise control, if used, would be deactivated; -The ESP/ABS system shuts off; and -Multiple warning lamps and messages advise the operator to take the vehicle to the workshop. While the majority of reports involved only ABS and/or ESP warning lights and messages on the instrument cluster due to faulty sensor signals triggering a failsafe mode, some reports cited intermittent sensor failures resulting in increased vehicle speed while in cruise control and degraded ABS or ESP. Degraded ESP functionality may impact driving stability of the 5-ton vehicle.On Feb 3, 2021, following discussion with ODI, Daimler submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to the federal safety agency describing a defect in the RWSS disabling the ESP control unit functions in approximately 48,667 MY 2012 through 2018 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter 3500 vehicles manufactured from Jan 4, 2012 through Oct 25, 2018 (Recall 21V‑042). In its DIR, Daimler indicated that RWSS sensor failures are prevalent in camper vans due to sustained periods of non-use, during which time the moisture may not dry out, remaining inside the plastic housing package. If the moisture within the RWSS dries and the RWSS returns to normal operation, the failsafe mode and the warning lights will disappear at the next ignition cycle, but the sensor fault remains stored within the ESP control unit and can be accessed through a diagnostic evaluation. ODI will continue to monitor field experience in Sprinter non-RVs and Sprinter 2500 RVs 3-ton and 3.5-ton variants (approximately 626 vehicles).Daimler will notify owners of the recalled vehicles and advise them to take their vehicle to a Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter dealer, who will replace the RWSS with a repackaged sensor with high robustness against moisture intrusion. Daimler began notifying dealers and owners in Feb 2021. This Preliminary Evaluation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at under the following ID numbers:11352380 11351299 11350521 11348969 11342776 11342464 11341988 11341151 11340388 11338230 11337921 11331832 11331829 11331476 11331427 11331066 11328671 11325768 11325693 11322814 11322346 11320295 11319376 11317336 11311647 11310621 11308318 11254223 11253828 11252220 11196530 11194330 11164250 11145019 11141273 11139000 11138785 11124129 11094122 11394837 11390889 11390039 11389262 11387883 11387713 11386418 11383887 11383866 11382947 11377384 11376615 11376973 11375781 11375403 11374997 11374151 11373892 11373111 11366293 11365920 11365594 11365355 11365194 11364253 11364346 11363990 11363787 11362948 113629
PE20014
Technical service bulletins for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 107
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- EGR Valve Diagnosis & Cleaning (and EGR Cooler Cleaning) – OM642, Sprinter 906/907 Complaint Complaint A:...
- Acoustic Warning or message occurring when a closed sliding door is not recognized
- Unavailability of MB Apps Complaint A popup is seen on the HU with the message "data connection...
- While driving through muddy / sandy/ off road terrain "4Matic Currently Unavailable" message on the dash
- ASSYST PLUS service reminder appears earlier than expected due to vehicle operating conditions Complaint...
- Complaint A: The engine is jolting/bucking between 1700 and 1900 rpm
- OM642 DPF
- Rattling noise from underneath the vehicle
- The check engine light is illuminated, or the AdBlue warning is active, with recorded faults related to...
- EGR Valve Diagnosis & Cleaning (and EGR Cooler Cleaning) – OM642, Sprinter 906/907 Complaint A: The engine...
See all 107 bulletins for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500
What 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 mercedes benz sprinter 3500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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.
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.
1 rear wheel speed sensors failed 2 years ago 2 rear wheel speed sensors failed two weeks ago.0
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Compare the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500
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Questions about the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500
Is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 reliable?
Owners have filed 27 complaints about the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500, 1.6 times a typical Sprinter 3500 model year.
What is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 year score?
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 scores 55 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500?
Airbags, with 12 complaints. Next is acceleration (6).
How many recalls does the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 have?
5 recalls, covering electronic stability control (esc), air bags and equipment adaptive/mobility.
Was there a recall on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 airbags?
Yes, 3 recalls: 18V032000, 17V093000, 16V077000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 have bad airbags?
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 model years with the most airbags complaints are 2014 (19 complaints), 2013 (12 complaints) and 2016 (12 complaints).
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