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2013 Mercedes-benz Sprinter 2500

Buyable, but go in with open eyes: this car has specific known issues to check before money changes hands.

Recalls, complaint breakdown & inspection checklist, all in a shareable PDF

21 owner complaints · 3 recalls · data verified July 11, 2026 · source: NHTSA

Cautionwillitcar.com

Why caution?

3 recall campaigns (3 safety-critical). Confirm every one shows "remedy completed" on the seller's VIN.

Airbags problems dominate (52% of complaints).

Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.

Complaints are overwhelmingly minor: almost none involve crashes, fires, or injuries.

Complaint reports have faded. Early issues appear resolved or aged out.

The math, shown

Full methodology →
Complaint volume (40%)100
Severity (30%)100
Recall load (20%)74
Trend (10%)91

Complaints filed per year

Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.

20152025

The road ahead

What breaks on a 2013 Mercedes-benz Sprinter 2500, plotted where owners report it happening.

030k mi60k mi90k mi120k mi

Also reported (mileage varies): Airbags (11)

Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.

Airbags

52%

11 complaints

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500 (M2CV144). THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICES FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 18V032000 (AIR BAGS) …

Wheels

14%

3 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years

I HAVE REPLACED AS OF TODAY 7/7/2015 -4 RIMS ON MY VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY KEEP CRACKING/ SPLITTING 1 EVEN HAD PIN HOLES. NOT ONLY IS THIS DANGEROUS TO ME AND WIFE. BUT C…

Engine

14%

3 complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, WH…

Lights

14%

3 complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS WATER IN BOTH HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AT NIGH…

Recalls (3)

Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.

Air Bags · 18V032000

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.

Fix: 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.

Air Bags · 17V093000

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.

Fix: 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.

Air Bags · 16V077000

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.

Fix: 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.

Before you hand over money

Verify the recall work was done

NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.

Free NHTSA VIN check

Get a pre-purchase inspection

A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2013 Mercedes-benz SPRINTER 2500 beats every score on the internet, including ours.

What to ask for

Not set on the 2013? See how every Sprinter 2500 model year scores →

Cross-shopping? Compare the 2013 Mercedes-benz Sprinter 2500 against another car →

What owners say

Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.

The fine print: this verdict is computed from public NHTSA complaint and recall records for the 2013 Mercedes-benz Sprinter 2500 as a model, not for any individual car. A well-maintained example of an “Avoid” can outlast a neglected “Buy”. Informational only, so always get a professional pre-purchase inspection.