1 rear wheel speed sensors failed 2 years ago 2 rear wheel speed sensors failed two weeks ago.0
2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter cruise control problems
moderate 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
When does it fail?
Of the 10 cruise control complaints filed for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 5 model years of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter we track for cruise control problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 10.
Cruise control accounts for 22% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 3 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2013 Sprinter 3500 consistently report rear wheel speed sensor failures at relatively low mileage. The pattern is striking: one owner replaced a rear sensor three times over three years; another had two rear sensor failures two weeks apart; a third changed the right rear sensor three times. When these sensors fail, the vehicle disables ABS, traction control, electronic stability control, and cruise control simultaneously, often triggering limp mode that restricts speed to around 50 mph. Owners describe hazardous situations at highway speeds, with one noting erratic transmission shifting alongside the sensor failure.
Mechanics at multiple dealerships have told owners the sensors have design deficiencies and the problem happens frequently. The failures occur across a mileage range from 23,500 to 41,000 miles. One owner received repeated repairs at a dealership that didn't resolve the underlying issue. The manufacturer acknowledged one complaint but stated the VIN wasn't covered under a related recall. Another owner reported contacting the manufacturer and receiving no assistance. The consistent, premature, and recurring nature of these failures points to a systemic defect rather than isolated bad sensors.
Failure modes owners describe
Rear wheel speed sensor failure
Rear wheel speed sensors fail prematurely and repeatedly, disabling ABS, traction control, cruise control, and electronic stability control systems. Multiple owners report replacing the same sensor multiple times over short intervals (2-3 years, sometimes within weeks). When the sensor fails, the vehicle often enters limp mode with speed reduction, and warning lights (ABS, traction control, check engine, ESP/ABD) illuminate.
When: Mileage ranges from 23,500 to 41,000 miles. One owner replaced sensors three times over 3 years; another had two failures within two weeks; another three replacements in 3 years with most recent in April 2019.
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light illumination; Traction control disabled; Cruise control inoperable or fails to engage; Electronic stability control (ESP) disabled; Loss of anti-lock braking capability; Vehicle enters limp mode with sudden speed reduction (limited to 50 mph); Check engine warning light; Abnormal crunching noise when braking; Erratic transmission shifting (reported in one case); Uncommanded braking; Rear wheel sensors implicated; one owner reports both front and rear sensor problems
Codes mentioned: Speed sensor malfunction, RPM sensor fault
Repairs/costs cited: Repeated sensor replacement required. One owner reports changing right rear wheel speed sensor 3 times, another reports one rear sensor failure 2 years prior and two rear sensor failures within two weeks. Dealers have replaced speed sensors multiple times with recurring failures. One owner reports rear wheel speed sensor repair followed by limp mode speed restriction unresolved.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner contacted manufacturer and received no assistance. One owner reported VIN not covered under related recall per manufacturer response. No evidence of recalls or TSBs addressing the recurring sensor failure issue in these narratives.
Cruise control malfunction secondary to sensor failure
Cruise control becomes inoperable or fails to maintain mode when speed sensors fail. This is a secondary effect of the underlying sensor degradation rather than a primary cruise control system defect.
When: Occurs concurrently with speed sensor failures at mileages ranging from 23,500 to 41,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control disabled when activated; Inability to activate or maintain cruise control mode; Cruise control inoperative during highway driving
Repairs/costs cited: Resolves with speed sensor replacement, though sensors often fail again shortly after repair
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
I have had two failures of a rear speed sensor which have caused a loss of anti lock braking, traction control, and cruise control. The most recent failure on oct 14, 2020 also resulted in some erratic transmission shifting. All of these things impact the safety of the vehicle. In both failures the vehicle was traveling at highway speeds.
Wheel sensors failure causes loss of ABS braking , cruise control and traction control. When this occurs causes the vehicle to go into limp mode and rapid reduction of speed. All of the above causes a hazardous situation on the freeway. We have had 2 fail and many of our friends have experienced cthe same.
Rear wheel speed sensor failure. I have had to replace a rear wheel speed sensor in each of the last 3 years. When the sensor fails the ABS system stops operating. Cruise control is disabled and traction control is disabled. Vehicle is still drivable, but safety systems are lost until repaired. Based on web searches this is a very common problem for this vehicle and model year. I have not had…
Had cruise control trouble with your 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $600 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 27,800 and 41,000 miles, with the median around 33,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 27,800; a quarter make it past 41,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Mercedes-Benz/Sprinter.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.