Home · 2013 Mercedes-benz Sprinter 2500 Crew Van (swb) · Complaints

What 21 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Mercedes-benz Sprinter 2500 Crew Van (swb)

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (21)Airbags (11)Engine (3)Lights (3)Wheels (3)Brakes (2)Speed control (2)Body & structure (1)Driver assistance (1)Electrical system (1)Engine & cooling (1)

2 of 21 complaints match · Brakes · clear filters

Jun 14, 2025Speed controlWheelsBrakes

The right rear axle shaft assembly wheel bearing seal failed. The right rear ABS Sensor, aka (rotational Speed Sensor, wheel speed sensor) failed. These parts are available for inspection. The vehicle unexpectedly accelerated without me pressing the accelerator as I approached a red light at an intersection, putting my safety and others at risk. I had to slam on the brakes with all my might to get the vehicle to stop from going through the intersection. The road was wet, and the front wheels locked while the rear wheels continued to be driven by the engine without any input from the accelerator pedal. Eventually, the vehicle stopped, and the engine acceleration went back to normal operation. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. The vehicle and parts have been inspected by me, as the vehicle owner. The warning lamps suddenly illuminated on the instrument panel just prior to the incident. The warning lamps came on as I was approaching the intersection. The warning lamps that came on were the engine diagnostic indicator lamp aka Malfunction indicator lamp, the Anti-lock brake system warning light, the brake assist system warning light, the electronic stability program warning light. I also hear what sounded like the ABS Control Unit rapidly cycling just prior to the uncontrolled acceleration while nearing the intersection. I used diagnostic equipment and performed a visual inspection of the components, concluding that they needed replacement. Grease from the leaking right rear wheel bearing seal fouled the right rear wheel speed sensor. The wheel speed sensor cable develops cracks near the wheel hub. I believe these parts are defective and can cause erratic, uncontrollable, unsafe driving risks that could lead to accidents and injuries. The symptoms and warning indications went away after the parts were replaced. I still have these parts as I feel they should be inspected by NHTSA personnel to make a safety recall.

NHTSA ODI 11666918

Apr 13, 2018Parking BrakeWheelsBrakesEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE MOVED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF MASSAPEQUA (101 EAST SUNRISE HIGHWAY, AMITYVILLE, NY 11701, (631) 213-2023) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE TIRES NEEDED AIR. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS WORKING AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,092.

NHTSA ODI 11084997

Working with the data? Download all 21 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 14, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2013 Mercedes-benz Sprinter 2500 Crew Van (swb) verdict →