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Are Mercedes-Benz label and owner's manual recalls a real safety risk?
Nearly every recall in this group is a Sprinter van issue, and most are paperwork rather than machinery. Daimler Vans USA recalled 2018-2019 Sprinter 1500, 2500, 3500 and 4500 models twice over spare tire labeling — one label printed 55 km/h instead of 34 mph, another was never attached at all — and twice more over operator's manuals, including 2019 VS30 vans delivered with an inaccurate printed and digital manual, and vans whose manual described the Auto-P automatic parking function incorrectly. One 2019 VS30 van had mismatched VINs on the dash, certification label and body-in-white. The only hardware defect is loose cargo lashing rails on 2019 Sprinter side walls. Separately, 2019 GLC coupes and sedans got passenger sun visor airbag warning labels in the wrong language.
Warning signs to watch for
- Cargo lashing rails on a 2019 Sprinter's side wall feel loose or pull away from the wall.
- The spare tire carries no speed limitation label, or one reading 55 km/h instead of 34 mph.
- The passenger sun visor airbag warning label is printed in a language other than English.
- The VIN on the dashboard does not match the VIN on the certification label.
- Most of these recalls produce no driving symptom at all — a label or manual page is simply wrong.
Is it safe to keep driving?
None of these seven recalls tells owners to stop driving or to park outside; they are rated low to medium risk. You can keep driving while you wait for a dealer appointment. Two sensible precautions: do not strap loads to the side-wall lashing rails on a 2019 Sprinter until they are properly affixed, and keep your speed at or below 34 mph on the spare tire. Until the Auto-P manual correction arrives, set the parking brake and confirm the van is in park before stepping out.
What the free repair involves
Most of these repairs are quick counter work. Dealers attach or replace the spare tire speed label, hand over corrected Auto-P pages, swap the printed operator's manual for the current version and update the digital manual's software, inspect and replace the sun visor airbag labels, correctly affix the lashing rails to the side walls, and replace incorrect VIN and certification labels. Every repair is free of charge.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| medium | 2 |
| low | 5 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-04-05 | Mercedes Sprinter van has mismatched identification numbers | low |
| 2020-12-08 | Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans got an incorrect owner's manual | low |
| 2020-03-26 | Sprinter manual gives wrong info on automatic parking feature | medium |
| 2020-03-18 | Mercedes Sprinter Spare Tire Label Shows Wrong Speed Units | low |
| 2020-03-18 | Mercedes Sprinter Vans Missing Spare Tire Speed Label | low |
| 2019-12-20 | Mercedes-Benz GLC airbag warning label in wrong language | low |
| 2019-12-19 | Mercedes-Benz Sprinter cargo tie-down rails may come loose | medium |
Common questions
It's just a label or a manual — do I really need the recall done?
Yes, and it costs nothing. A missing spare tire speed label or a non-English airbag warning can lead to a real injury, and the mismatched-VIN van needs corrected labels so future recall notices reach the right vehicle.
Can I keep using my Sprinter's cargo tie-down rails?
Avoid strapping loads to the side-wall lashing rails until a dealer has correctly affixed them. The rails may not have been properly installed and can detach, and cargo shifting while you drive raises your crash risk.
How fast can I drive on the spare tire?
The corrected label states 34 mph, the same limit as the 55 km/h figure printed on the mislabeled vans. Stay at or below that speed — driving faster on the spare could cause tire failure and a crash.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.