2012 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Electronic Stability Control (esc)
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) unit may become disabled on these vehicles.
What could happen: If ESC becomes disabled, vehicle driving stability may be impacted under certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2012 SPRINTER 3500.
- Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 21V042000 (manufacturer code NC3DREZAHA).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-877-762-8267.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
2. Airbags
What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled into 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 rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
What could happen: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag, free of charge. The recall began on January 12, 2018. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Note: This recall supersedes recall 17V-025.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2012 SPRINTER 3500.
- Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 17V480000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-877-762-8267.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Summary: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2012 Freightliner and Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled into 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 rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag, free of charge. The recall began on January 12, 2018. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Note: This recall supersedes recall 17V-025.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
3. Airbags
What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. 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, exces…
What could happen: 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.
The 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 servic…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2012 SPRINTER 3500.
- Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 16V077000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-877-762-8267.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- 2012 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Vehicle Speed Control (2), Brakes (2), Wheels / tires (1), Transmission / drivetrain (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (2)
01/12/2023 · Vehicle Speed Control
THE VEHICLE DASH BOARD HAD 4 {ECM, ABS, TRACTION AND SKID} LIGHTS, REDUCED SPEED TO 20MPH ON THE HIGHWAY RPM INCREASED OVER 3000 LOST ABILITY FOR ABS, STEARING CONTROL AND SPEED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS P003A AND P0037 POINTING TO BOTH REAR WHEEL SPEED SONSORS.
10/30/2022 · Transmission / drivetrain
ABS SPEED SENSOR, TRACTION REAR SPEED SENSOR FAULT CODE C0037 AND C003A. SPEED REDUCES TO 20MPH HIGH ENGINE RPM REV OVER 3000 RPM