2012 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 2500

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 2500 has 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.1x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is speed control problems (27% of all complaints), specifically: the van will at times accelerate on it own..

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

SPEED CONTROL

3 complaints

27%

• THE VAN WILL AT TIMES ACCELERATE ON IT OWN.
• 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
• 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

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“THE VAN WILL AT TIMES ACCELERATE ON IT OWN.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

AIR BAGS

2 complaints

18%

• TAKATA RECALL- WE HAVE BEEN WAITING 3 YEARS FOR A FIX FOR THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG RECALL SINCE WE WERE FIRST NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG. THE RECALL WAS EFFECTIVE 02/11/2016. WE WERE NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM NEARLY A YEAR BEFORE THE RECALL BECAME EFFECTIVE. WE HAVE ALSO BEEN WAITING
• Had a service call to repair recall items. Technician forgot to install bolts holding the transmission which led to multiple light alerts. Could have been dangerous for driver.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TAKATA RECALL- WE HAVE BEEN WAITING 3 YEARS FOR A FIX FOR THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG RECALL SINCE WE WERE FIRST NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG. THE RECALL WAS EFFECTIVE 02/11/2016. WE WERE NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM NEARLY A YEAR BEFORE THE RECALL BECAME EFFECTIVE. WE HAVE ALSO BEEN WAITING ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

2 complaints

18%

• CHECK ENGINE AND DEF LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I CAN ONLY PUT A QUART OF DEF IN TANK ONLY HAVE 23000 MILES ON ENGINE. LIGHT CLEARS AFTER ADDING ONLY A QUART AND RESTATRTING AND DRIVING. THEN RETURNS IN A SHORT WHILE. SHOULDNT THIS BE COVERED UNDER THE EMISSION WTTY. YEAR 2012 MERCEDES SPRINTER 3500
• Had a service call to repair recall items. Technician forgot to install bolts holding the transmission which led to multiple light alerts. Could have been dangerous for driver.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“CHECK ENGINE AND DEF LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I CAN ONLY PUT A QUART OF DEF IN TANK ONLY HAVE 23000 MILES ON ENGINE. LIGHT CLEARS AFTER ADDING ONLY A QUART AND RESTATRTING AND DRIVING. THEN RETURNS IN A SHORT WHILE. SHOULDNT THIS BE COVERED UNDER THE EMISSION WTTY. YEAR 2012 MERCEDES SPRINTER 3500”

— NHTSA complaint filing

LIGHTING

1 complaints

• HEADLIGHTS, DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS, PARKING LIGHTS, AND TAIL LIGHTS CONTINUE TO GO OUT AND HAVE FREQUENT REPLACEMENT. LEFT REAR FOG LIGHT WILL NOT FUNCTION EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENT WITH NEW BULB. *TR

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“HEADLIGHTS, DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS, PARKING LIGHTS, AND TAIL LIGHTS CONTINUE TO GO OUT AND HAVE FREQUENT REPLACEMENT. LEFT REAR FOG LIGHT WILL NOT FUNCTION EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENT WITH NEW BULB. *TR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

VISIBILITY

1 complaints

• THE WAY THEY DESIGN THE WIPER IT IS THE MOST UNSAFE VAN I HAVE EVER DRIVE SPECIALLY WHEN IT IS SNOWY.THERE IS NO HEAT WHERE THE WIPERS STOPS AND THE ICE BUILDS UNDER THE WIPER SO EVERY TWENTY MINUTES THE WIPERS NEED TO BE HAND CLEANED. IT IS MAKE IT VERY UNSAFE WHEN YOU HAVE TO DRIVE IN THE HIGHWA

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“THE WAY THEY DESIGN THE WIPER IT IS THE MOST UNSAFE VAN I HAVE EVER DRIVE SPECIALLY WHEN IT IS SNOWY.THERE IS NO HEAT WHERE THE WIPERS STOPS AND THE ICE BUILDS UNDER THE WIPER SO EVERY TWENTY MINUTES THE WIPERS NEED TO BE HAND CLEANED. IT IS MAKE IT VERY UNSAFE WHEN YOU HAVE TO DRIVE IN THE HIGHWA”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

LIGHTING(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 11 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
SPEED CONTROL: THE VAN WILL AT TIMES ACCELERATE ON IT OWN.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: TAKATA RECALL- WE HAVE BEEN WAITING 3 YEARS FOR A FIX FOR THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG RECALL SINCE WE WERE FIRST NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG. THE RECALL WAS EFFECTIVE 02/11/2016. WE WERE NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM NEARLY A YEAR BEFORE THE RECALL BECAME EFFECTIVE. WE HAVE ALSO BEEN WAITING
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: CHECK ENGINE AND DEF LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I CAN ONLY PUT A QUART OF DEF IN TANK ONLY HAVE 23000 MILES ON ENGINE. LIGHT CLEARS AFTER ADDING ONLY A QUART AND RESTATRTING AND DRIVING. THEN RETURNS IN A SHORT WHILE. SHOULDNT THIS BE COVERED UNDER THE EMISSION WTTY. YEAR 2012 MERCEDES SPRINTER 3500
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
LIGHTING: HEADLIGHTS, DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS, PARKING LIGHTS, AND TAIL LIGHTS CONTINUE TO GO OUT AND HAVE FREQUENT REPLACEMENT. LEFT REAR FOG LIGHT WILL NOT FUNCTION EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENT WITH NEW BULB. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)