2021 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The instrument cluster illumination may not be adjustable and appear too bright in certain lighting conditions. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."

Risk: A display that is too bright can make it difficult for the driver to see critical safety information, increasing the risk of a crash.

STRUCTURE:CRITICAL FASTENERS

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The longitudinal frame members may be missing reinforcement fasteners, reducing vehicle stability and decreasing the structural integrity of the third-row seats.

Risk: Reduced stability increases the risk of a crash. Additionally, the third-row seat mountings can fail, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2021 Freightliner Sprinter and 2021-2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Metris vehicles. The fuel pump may shutdown, which can result in a loss of drive power.

Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.

STRUCTURE:BODY

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and 2021 Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The topcoat paint formula may cause the windows and interior lashing rails to be insufficiently bonded to the vehicle.

Risk: An insufficiently bonded window can detach during a crash, and objects secured to an insufficiently bonded interior lashing rail can detach, increasing the risk of injury.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and 2019-2021 Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The instrument cluster may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started.

Risk: A blank instrument panel will not show critical information, such as vehicle speed, fuel gauge, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.

STRUCTURE:CRITICAL FASTENERS

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and 2019-2021 Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The partition wall may be missing bolts, allowing the wall to detach during a crash.

Risk: A detached partition wall can increase the risk of injury.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Freightliner Sprinter, Mercedes-Benz Metris, and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. An error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system.

Risk: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:TORSION BAR

Daimler Vans USA, LLC. (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The shim on the torsion bar was installed incorrectly during assembly.

Risk: An incorrectly assembled torsion bar may fail at the connection between the torsion bar and linkage, resulting in a loss of vehicle stability, and increasing the risk of a crash.

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) may be improperly stated on the tire and loading label. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 120, "Wheels and Rims-Other Than Passenger Cars."

Risk: The operator may overload the vehicle, resulting in excessive tire wear and increasing the risk of a crash.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:INTERNAL:PARK PAWL

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles equipped with a manual parking brake and 7-speed automatic transmission. The guide bushing on the parking pawl may fatigue, which can cause the parking pawl not to engage and result in vehicle rollaway.

Risk: Vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash.

STRUCTURE:BODY

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The front axle fender liner and brake hose may be too close, allowing the fender liner to contact and damage the brake hose.

Risk: A damaged brake hose may leak brake fluid, extending the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.

STRUCTURE

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The spring-loaded rear step bolt fasteners were not properly tightened.

Risk: Loose bolt fasteners may allow the rear step to separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. A cable duct may drop out of place due to unlatched engagement hooks inside the battery case. This may cause the starter-generator wiring harness to chafe against the transmission carrier, which could result in an electrical short-circuit.

Risk: An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire.

SEAT BELTS

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Metris, and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles equipped with Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) seat belt assemblies. The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these assemblies fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The MBUX multimedia system software may cause the display to remain black, or reboot after startup. This could result in the rearview camera image not displaying properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Risk: A backup camera that displays a blank image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

SERVICE BRAKES

CRITICAL SAFETY CONCERN: Vehicle shifts into NEUTRAL during normal start sequence, could roll over passengers. Component of concern: Electronic "Wiper" stalk shifter is easily shifted into NEUTRAL during normal start sequence. Problem encountered several times in our 2021 Mercedes Sprinter- the stalk shifter is located directly in front of the "START/STOP" ignition button. To start the vehicle, you must: 1) Press and hold the brake 2) Reach under the shifter and press the "START/STOP" button The problem is pressing the brake is also the "safety interlock" for shifting out of PARK. The breakout force on the shifter stalk is VERY LOW, causing it to be inadvertently shifted into NEUTRAL during a normal start sequence. This is a safety concern, because often we will start the vehicle, and then exit the drivers seat to load passengers (small children and/or wheelchair users). The vehicle does not give any indication (no physical movement of the shifter) of shifting out of park- other than white letter on mid-dash indicator going from "P" to "N". The vehicle could easily be shifted into NEUTRAL and run over passengers during the loading operations.

POWER TRAIN

CRITICAL SAFETY CONCERN: Vehicle shifts into NEUTRAL during normal start sequence, could roll over passengers. Component of concern: Electronic "Wiper" stalk shifter is easily shifted into NEUTRAL during normal start sequence. Problem encountered several times in our 2021 Mercedes Sprinter- the stalk shifter is located directly in front of the "START/STOP" ignition button. To start the vehicle, you must: 1) Press and hold the brake 2) Reach under the shifter and press the "START/STOP" button The problem is pressing the brake is also the "safety interlock" for shifting out of PARK. The breakout force on the shifter stalk is VERY LOW, causing it to be inadvertently shifted into NEUTRAL during a normal start sequence. This is a safety concern, because often we will start the vehicle, and then exit the drivers seat to load passengers (small children and/or wheelchair users). The vehicle does not give any indication (no physical movement of the shifter) of shifting out of park- other than white letter on mid-dash indicator going from "P" to "N". The vehicle could easily be shifted into NEUTRAL and run over passengers during the loading operations.

ENGINE

unknown

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

Brakes deployed and distance warning illuminated for a very brief instant at highway speed (70 mph) just when a vehicle traveling faster starts to overtake. Very scary! Luck to not have been hit on the right rear corner.

LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION

Brakes deployed and distance warning illuminated for a very brief instant at highway speed (70 mph) just when a vehicle traveling faster starts to overtake. Very scary! Luck to not have been hit on the right rear corner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

Brakes deployed and distance warning illuminated for a very brief instant at highway speed (70 mph) just when a vehicle traveling faster starts to overtake. Very scary! Luck to not have been hit on the right rear corner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

The ABS front wheel sensor became inoperable after 27K. This disables several onboard systems that assist in vehicle control, including blind spot detection, and collision warning systems. Looking at the sensor - it completely separated at the connector by the wheel hub. The surrounding area showed no signs of unusual trauma or deterioration.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

The ABS front wheel sensor became inoperable after 27K. This disables several onboard systems that assist in vehicle control, including blind spot detection, and collision warning systems. Looking at the sensor - it completely separated at the connector by the wheel hub. The surrounding area showed no signs of unusual trauma or deterioration.

SERVICE BRAKES

The ABS front wheel sensor became inoperable after 27K. This disables several onboard systems that assist in vehicle control, including blind spot detection, and collision warning systems. Looking at the sensor - it completely separated at the connector by the wheel hub. The surrounding area showed no signs of unusual trauma or deterioration.

LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST

The crosswind assist system is unsafe, it make the vehicle unstable when activated. Since new I took to the dealership many times and it never was fixed. And the line assist system many times do not let me turn right because it not see a broken line painted on the road.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The crosswind assist system is unsafe, it make the vehicle unstable when activated. Since new I took to the dealership many times and it never was fixed. And the line assist system many times do not let me turn right because it not see a broken line painted on the road.

LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST

My vehicle is activating “crosswind assist” and applying the brakes automatically, unilaterally, and abruptly while traveling at speeds over 40 mph on the highway, even when conditions are NOT windy. It seems that the sensor is overactive in detecting wind. I have taken it to the Mercedes dealer and they have stated they found no problems with the ESP sensors and state that the vehicle is responding to perceived wind conditions/instability normally and as it should. However, this was NOT like this for the first two years I drove the vehicle. It is DANGEROUS and not normal and the unilateral application of the brakes while I’m going 60 or 70 miles an hour on the highway forces my vehicle out of the lane and into parallel traffic lanes! The unilateral braking is sometimes so severe that my vehicle fishtails and feels like it is going to roll over into an adjacent lane or off the highway. This is going to cause a major accident to me and fellow drivers. Since the problem started six months ago and has steadily worsened, I have been advised to upgrade the suspension and install an “swaybar” and also to change the tires to make the vehicle more stable. I have done both. Neither has helped at all. I don’t know what to do or where to take it. It seems like deactivating the crosswind assist would be helpful in determining if the sensors are too sensitive or defective and whether it drives safely without them. But there is no way to deactivate that system. I have owned my vehicle for three years and for the first 2 1/2 years it drove perfectly, without this issue ever happening. My vehicle has not been in any collision and has had no damage, so I do not know where this came from. It seems like an electrical or sensor issue that has arised and neither a sprinter specialist mechanic nor the Mercedes-Benz dealership with a sprinter technician have been able to figure out what is wrong and how to fix it. This is URGENT and I need help or there will be a catastrophe.

STEERING

My vehicle is activating “crosswind assist” and applying the brakes automatically, unilaterally, and abruptly while traveling at speeds over 40 mph on the highway, even when conditions are NOT windy. It seems that the sensor is overactive in detecting wind. I have taken it to the Mercedes dealer and they have stated they found no problems with the ESP sensors and state that the vehicle is responding to perceived wind conditions/instability normally and as it should. However, this was NOT like this for the first two years I drove the vehicle. It is DANGEROUS and not normal and the unilateral application of the brakes while I’m going 60 or 70 miles an hour on the highway forces my vehicle out of the lane and into parallel traffic lanes! The unilateral braking is sometimes so severe that my vehicle fishtails and feels like it is going to roll over into an adjacent lane or off the highway. This is going to cause a major accident to me and fellow drivers. Since the problem started six months ago and has steadily worsened, I have been advised to upgrade the suspension and install an “swaybar” and also to change the tires to make the vehicle more stable. I have done both. Neither has helped at all. I don’t know what to do or where to take it. It seems like deactivating the crosswind assist would be helpful in determining if the sensors are too sensitive or defective and whether it drives safely without them. But there is no way to deactivate that system. I have owned my vehicle for three years and for the first 2 1/2 years it drove perfectly, without this issue ever happening. My vehicle has not been in any collision and has had no damage, so I do not know where this came from. It seems like an electrical or sensor issue that has arised and neither a sprinter specialist mechanic nor the Mercedes-Benz dealership with a sprinter technician have been able to figure out what is wrong and how to fix it. This is URGENT and I need help or there will be a catastrophe.