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Mercedes-Benz suspension recalls hit Sprinter axles and GLB front carriers
Three of the four are Sprinter chassis and axle problems, and two of those are federal compliance recalls filed the same day in July 2020 against 2019 VS30 vans: one for a chassis missing the additional stabilization its cargo capacity requires, the other for incorrect rear leaf spring shims installed between the rear axle and the leaf springs. A 2024 recall covers 2023-2024 Sprinters whose rear spring U-bolts were improperly heat-treated and can let the rear axle shift out of position. The only passenger-car entry is corrosion of the integral carrier supporting the front axle on 2021 AMG GLB35, 2019-2020 A220 and 2020 GLB250 vehicles. All four are high severity; none is a stop-driving order.
Warning signs to watch for
- Handling that feels off or unstable in a Sprinter, especially when loaded — both 2020 recalls are described as affecting handling and stability.
- A 2023-2024 Sprinter whose rear axle has shifted out of position due to weakened spring U-bolts.
- Visible corrosion on the integral carrier supporting the front axle of an A220, GLB250 or AMG GLB35; the notice warns it can fail, and failure means losing steering control.
- These notices describe no dashboard warning or specific noise, so the defect may be present with nothing obvious to notice beforehand.
Is it safe to keep driving?
No recall in this group tells owners to stop driving or park outside, so continuing to drive until the repair is acceptable in all four. That said, every one is rated high severity. The GLB35, A220 and GLB250 integral carrier is the most pressing for car owners, because a failure means losing steering control — get it inspected as soon as a dealer can see it. On the Sprinters, drive carefully, avoid overloading, and do not let the repair wait if you regularly carry heavy loads.
What the free repair involves
For the chassis stabilization recall, dealers upgrade the chassis by replacing the front axle stabilizer bar, replacing the shock absorbers and installing a rear axle stabilizer bar. The shim recall replaces leaf spring shims on both sides, renews the spring brackets, checks and renews rubber buffers, and adjusts the headlamps. Others replace the rear spring U-bolts, or inspect and replace the integral carrier. All free.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| high | 4 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-07-09 | Mercedes-Benz Sprinter rear axle bolts may weaken and shift | high |
| 2021-12-17 | Mercedes-Benz GLB and A220 front axle part can rust | high |
| 2020-07-27 | Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans missing required suspension stabilizing parts | high |
| 2020-07-27 | Sprinter vans may have wrong rear leaf spring shims | high |
Common questions
Does how much I load the van change the risk on these Sprinter recalls?
The notices tie both 2020 recalls to cargo capacity and handling — one covers stabilization required for the van's cargo capacity, the other incorrect leaf spring shims. Avoid overloading until the work is done, and do not delay if you haul heavy loads.
What is the integral carrier on my GLB or A220?
It is the component that supports the front axle. On certain 2021 AMG GLB35, 2019-2020 A220 and 2020 GLB250 vehicles it may corrode and fail. Dealers inspect it and replace it as necessary, free of charge, under MBUSA's recall.
Why are two of these listed as federal standards violations?
The 2019 Sprinter chassis stabilization recall states those vans fail Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 126, covering electronic stability control, and the leaf spring shim recall is also filed as a noncompliance. Both repairs are performed at no cost.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.