AdBlue Heater Failure IS COVERED under emissions warranty
I am intentionally starting a new thread to help people like me who painfully searched this topic for hours and hours with few definitive answers.
At 39,505 miles (just out of MFW) our 2013 Mercedes Sprinter 2500's AdBlue Heater failed (02/04/2016). After doing research via the internet and other people's experience we were convinced we would have to fork out the $1800-$2200 to get it fixed because of the fancy wording of the Emissions Warranty.
HOWEVER, I went and spoke to the Service Department and that is not the case. The system is covered under the Federal Emissions Warranty, plus the heater is part of the tank (which is explicitly cited in the warranty as well).
They did not even need coaxing. It was no questions asked, $0.00, new heater and a DEF system flush with all new DEF. DONE. My recommendation to anyone who has this issue is to visit the dealer in person and talk with them face-to-face. They are always inundated and dealing with customers on the phone is not their strong suit (at least not our dealer).
You may not get as lucky, and might have to argue a bit but it IS COVERED so don't give up.
The check engine light was of course the Adblue heater in the DEF tank. Yup, $1,700 just for the "part" and of course there will be labor charges on top of that. Mine is a Mercedes, so I also called the local Freightliner dealer, because they can do "Non-Warranty" work on them. Cost of the new DEF tank $1,500 plus $360 for labor. I asked them to also price replace the "heater only", and wouldn't you just know it, they only replace the tank, because the heater is part of it.
I pulled out my 2013 Mercedes Sprinter Warranty book, and sure enough, under the Emissions Warranty, it states the DEF tank is covered and the DEF tank is described with parentheses (With Temperature Sensor and Fluid Level Gauge). I'm going back and make them fix it.
Additionally, your one other follower of this post stated "They should cover DPFs as well". One of the items covered in the Emissions Warranty is the "Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (and/or Diesel Particular Filter)" I'm assuming that's what "DPF" stands for.
I am intentionally starting a new thread to help people like me who painfully searched this topic for hours and hours with few definitive answers.
At 39,505 miles (just out of MFW) our 2013 Mercedes Sprinter 2500's AdBlue Heater failed (02/04/2016). After doing research via the internet and other people's experience we were convinced we would have to fork out the $1800-$2200 to get it fixed because of the fancy wording of the Emissions Warranty.
HOWEVER, I went and spoke to the Service Department and that is not the case. The system is covered under the Federal Emissions Warranty, plus the heater is part of the tank (which is explicitly cited in the warranty as well).
They did not even need coaxing. It was no questions asked, $0.00, new heater and a DEF system flush with all new DEF. DONE. My recommendation to anyone who has this issue is to visit the dealer in person and talk with them face-to-face. They are always inundated and dealing with customers on the phone is not their strong suit (at least not our dealer).
You may not get as lucky, and might have to argue a bit but it IS COVERED so don't give up.

My Sprinter is a 2010 with over 150k so no luck for me. Ended it chaning it myself.
For those who are not covered by the warranty here is a great guide on how to replace Mercedes DEF heater. Took me 90 min and $480 USD instead of $2k.
I have a 2013 ML 350, and was just told by Leith Mercedes, Raleigh NC that the DEF heater is not covered under the emissions warranty. This is frustrating since the DEF heater is a core part (one of three pieces) that makes up the emissions system. And without it working, the car will refuse to start!
So, to hear that some other dealers recognize this and are willing to take this up with MBUSA on behalf of their customers is great to hear. No luck here, so far.
ram
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I have a 2013 ML 350, and was just told by Leith Mercedes, Raleigh NC that the DEF heater is not covered under the emissions warranty. This is frustrating since the DEF heater is a core part (one of three pieces) that makes up the emissions system. And without it working, the car will refuse to start!
So, to hear that some other dealers recognize this and are willing to take this up with MBUSA on behalf of their customers is great to hear. No luck here, so far.
ram
Here’s the 2013 version, for example:
https://assets.mbusa.com/vcm/CAC_RAP...ntybooklet.pdf
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Last edited by mjbenz; Mar 26, 2020 at 10:41 PM.








