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Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500Model year report

2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 Problems

Complaints
21filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
31,000miles, 11 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The part named most often is electronic stability control, with 5 complaints (24% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control (5) and air bags (4). 11 of the complaints include a mileage, and 91% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 31,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 103 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electronic stability control complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Seats (1).

Example complaints

Electronic stability control: “Eight (8) wheel speed indicators have failed at the following mileages: 21,866/26 aug 2015 (2 each rear axle); 22,594/8 sep 2015 ('2 each front axle); 40,996/17 apr 2018 (1 each right rear axle) and (1 each left front axle); 42,319/ 9 may 2018 (1 each right front axle); and 48,041/ 2 oct 2018 (1 each left rear axle). Each failure resulted in an induced severe reduction of vehicle speed causing an intense safety environment for our vehicle and other highway traffic. All failures are documented with repairs conducted by an mercedes benze repair facility. …”

NHTSA complaint #11365784, filed 2020-10, 48,041 miles

Vehicle speed control: “This sprinter is a winnebago 170x rv conversion. On multiple occasions since buying the vehicle in 2016 we have experienced a sudden loss of power while driving. The engine remains on but the transmission is not engaged. Stopping the vehicle and restarting clears up the problem temporarily but it will continue to happen until a failing rear speed sensor is replaced. The first time this occurred the local mb dealer replaced both rear sensors free of charge even though the vehicle was out of warranty. …”

NHTSA complaint #11382947, filed 2020-12, 25,000 miles

Air bags: “My son christopher john lee howard was is tragic accident in dallas on sept 11,2020 and died as a result severe injuries internal injuries that lead to major bleeding of the stomach and upper torso.”

NHTSA complaint #11395332, filed 2021-02

Other or unknown: “I( have owned this vehicle for 4 years and I cannot count the times it failed to start. When you tried to start it the engine never would turn over.some times I would try to start it for dozens of times before the engine would turn over. This could be s serious problem for senior people. I have seen several similar problems on the sprinter forum. The vehicle has never failed to start. It might take you 30 times or sometimes it starts on the first turn of the key”

NHTSA complaint #11395895, filed 2021-02, 11,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

91% of the 11 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 11,400 and 45,692 miles.

9%0–1027%10–2555%25–500%50–750%75–1009%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (11 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 31,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

20132014201620172018201920206202162026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 103 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 103 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20231733,0006———Too new
202295,0006———Not enough data
202188,00016———Not enough data
2020132,85022———Not enough data
2019279,55041——67 · MoreFalling
2018915,00010———Not enough data
20172818,0009——20 · FewerFalling
20166217,15016——71 · MoreFalling
20153715,75015——51 · TypicalFalling
20145522,2507——49 · TypicalFalling
20134526,4005——18 · FewerFalling
20122131,0004———Falling
2011848,7444———Not enough data

All Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 have?

NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 is reported most often?

Electronic stability control is named most often, in 5 complaints (24% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 5.

Has the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 reported?

Among the 11 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 31,000 miles and the middle half falls between 11,400 and 45,692 miles; 91% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.