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41 recalls covering model years 2019, 2020. To check whether your vehicle is affected, look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls — a recall may apply only to some vehicles of a given year.
On certain Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans, the brightness of the instrument cluster display is not adjustable the way it should be. In some lighting conditions, this can cause the display to appear too bright to the driver. A display that is too bright can make it difficult for the driver to see important safety information shown on the instrument cluster while driving.
In some Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans, the connection between the propeller shaft bearing and the crossmember underneath the vehicle may loosen over time.
Daimler Vans is recalling certain 2019-2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and 2019-2021 Freightliner Sprinter vans because the partition wall inside the vehicle may be missing bolts. Without enough bolts holding it firmly in place, the partition wall could come loose and detach if the vehicle is in a crash. Dealers will inspect the partition wall and secure it with the necessary bolts, at no cost to owners.
Daimler Vans is recalling certain 2019-2021 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vans because the longitudinal frame members that run the length of the vehicle may be missing reinforcement fasteners. Without these fasteners in place, the frame is less stable and the mounting for the third-row seats is less secure. Dealers will inspect the frame members and install any missing fasteners as needed, at no cost to owners.
On these vehicles, the instrument cluster may fail to show any information when the vehicle is started. This means the panel can go completely blank, so the driver cannot see important details like the vehicle's speed, the fuel gauge, warning messages, or warning lights. To fix this, dealers will update the software in the instrument cluster on affected vehicles, at no charge to the owner.
Daimler Vans is recalling certain 2019-2022 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vans with a manual parking brake and 7-speed automatic transmission. A part called the guide bushing inside the parking pawl can fatigue over time. If it does, the parking pawl may not engage as it should, which means the vehicle may not stay in place while parked. Dealers will update several control unit software programs to fix this at no charge.
Daimler Vans USA 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 the mobile network connection to fail. When this happens, it disables the emergency call, or eCall, system that is meant to connect occupants to emergency services.
Some Freightliner Sprinter and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans have a software problem that can keep the rearview camera from showing its image on the display. When this happens, the driver has a reduced view of what's behind the vehicle. This reduced rear visibility increases the risk of a crash while driving.
Daimler Vans USA is recalling certain Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vans. A software error in the system that locks the van in Park can let the van move after the driver has put the gear selector in Park without also setting the parking brake. Dealers will install updated software in the control unit for the electronic stability program, at no cost to owners. Letters telling owners about this recall have already been mailed.
Daimler Vans is recalling certain Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles because the multimedia system's software can cause the display screen to go black or to restart itself after the vehicle is started. When this happens, the rearview camera image may not show up properly on the screen. Because of this, the vehicle no longer meets the federal safety standard for rear visibility.
Some Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vans built with swivel front seats may have the seat wiring routed the wrong way. The wiring can get jammed in the swivel seat frame and be damaged. If that wiring is damaged, the side airbag built into the seat may go off when it should not, or fail to go off as designed. Dealers will move the mounting clip to the correct position at no cost.
Daimler Vans USA is recalling certain 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The screws for the front door hinges may not have been tightened properly. Dealers will check the screws and tighten them if needed, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2021. The company's number for this recall is VS3TURSCHA, and owners can reach Daimler Vans USA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.
Some Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vans have a hydraulic power steering return line hose that may come loose and detach. If this happens, hydraulic fluid can leak out of the steering system. Losing this fluid can cause a sudden loss of power steering assist.
On some Sprinter vans, the multifunctional display in the instrument cluster cannot be adjusted and may appear too bright in certain lighting conditions. Because the brightness can't be turned down, the display can make it harder for the driver to see clearly while driving.
Daimler Vans USA is recalling certain Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans that were ordered with the optional electric sliding door. The extra lock on that sliding door may be the wrong type for an electric door. Because of this, these vans do not meet a federal safety rule covering how well doors keep people inside during a crash. Dealers will change the sliding door so it works by hand instead of electrically, at no cost to owners.
Daimler Vans USA is recalling certain Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vans. The washer and bolt that hold the brake pedal to its mounting block can work loose and come off. If that happens, the brake lights can stay lit even when the driver is not pressing the brake pedal. Dealers will add an extra retaining ring at the pedal's mounting bracket to hold everything in place, at no cost to owners.
Daimler Vans USA is recalling certain Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vans that have the "Connect 5" multimedia system and a rearview camera. The camera image may not appear on the screen within two seconds after the driver starts backing up. The image can also be covered or hidden by the emergency call pop-up window if that system turns on while the van is in reverse. These vans therefore do not meet the federal rear visibility standard.
Daimler Vans USA is recalling certain Mercedes-Benz Metris and Sprinter vans. Because of the way the software in the communication module was designed, the automatic emergency call system may not send the correct location of the vehicle if the vehicle is in a crash. Dealers will update the software in the communication module for the automatic emergency call system, and the recall began in May 2021.
Daimler Vans is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vans equipped with electric parking brakes. The rear brake calipers may leak brake fluid into the parking brake housing, which can let air get into the hydraulic brake system. This can make the brake pedal travel farther than normal before the brakes engage. Dealers will replace the rear brake calipers at no cost to owners.
These Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans may have been delivered with an owner's manual, both the printed book and the digital version in the vehicle, that is inaccurate, incomplete, or both. The manual is what tells you how the van's features work and gives other safety information, so some of what it says about operating the vehicle may be wrong or missing. A dealer will hand over an updated printed manual and update the software for the digital one.
The hydraulic power steering return line hoses may detach at their connection points under certain operating conditions, causing hydraulic fluid to leak. This affects certain Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter van models. Dealers will check the power steering return line connections and correct them as needed, free of charge.
The outer part of the brake hoses on the front and rear axles may have been damaged during production. Over time, a damaged hose could begin to leak brake fluid. This can affect how well the brakes work, including a potential loss of directional stability when braking, which raises the chance of a crash.
Certain 2019 and 2020 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vans have clamps that hold the fuel lines in place. Over time, these clamps may loosen. When a clamp loosens, fuel can leak out of the line instead of staying contained. A fuel leak means fuel is escaping where it should not be, which raises the chance of a fire starting. This recall covers both the Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner versions of the Sprinter.
On these Sprinter vans, the Operator's Manual may give incorrect information about how the automatic parking function, called Auto-P, actually works. Dealers will provide owners with the correct description of how Auto-P operates for the manual.
On these Sprinter vans, part of the fender liner near the front wheel can rub against a brake hose. Over time, that rubbing can wear through the hose and let brake fluid leak out. Brake fluid is what lets the brakes work properly, so losing it can make the vehicle take longer to stop than it normally would. Dealers will inspect the brake hoses, replace them if needed, and modify the fender liner so the rubbing does not happen again.
Some Sprinter vans left the factory without a label on the spare tire that lists its maximum speed. Without this label, a driver may not know how fast the spare tire is rated to go and could end up driving faster than it can safely handle. Driving the spare tire too fast increases the chance that the tire could fail while the vehicle is being driven. Dealers will attach the correct speed label to the spare wheel.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling certain Sprinter vans. The label for the spare tire lists the top speed only in kilometers per hour, showing 55, instead of listing it as 34 miles per hour. A driver reading that label could take the number as miles per hour and drive faster on the spare tire than the tire is built to handle. Dealers will put on a corrected label that shows the top speed in miles per hour, free of charge.
Daimler Vans USA is recalling certain 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vans that came equipped with winter tires. The tires may not have been installed the correct way, which could reduce how well they grip the road in wet or snowy conditions. Because the tires may be mounted incorrectly, they might not perform the way they are supposed to when the weather turns wet or snowy.
The cover for the steering column casing may not have been installed on these vans, leaving the steering column area exposed. If small parts, such as nuts or screws, get into this exposed area, they could affect how the steering works. This raises the risk of a crash. Dealers will replace the steering column with one that includes the cover, free of charge.
The screws that hold the steering shaft's bearing in place may not have been tightened properly. This could let the screws loosen and detach. If the screws detach, the driver may find it more difficult to steer the vehicle, which increases the risk of a crash. Dealers will replace the steering bearing screws and tighten them correctly, and this repair will be done at no cost to the owner.
On some Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vans, the screws connecting the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) pipe may not have been tightened correctly. If these connecting screws are not properly tight, hot exhaust gases may leak out of the EGR pipe.
On some Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vans, the flange connection between the exhaust gas turbocharger and the exit to the diesel particulate filter may not be attached properly. This can allow an exhaust gas leak in the engine compartment.
Certain Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans have lashing rails on the side walls that are used to secure cargo. These rails may not have been installed correctly, which could cause them to come loose and detach from the wall. If the rails detach while the van is loaded, cargo being carried inside could become unsecured while the vehicle is being driven.
On some Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vans with diesel fuel systems, a locking fitting that connects the fuel pump to the fuel tank may not have been closed and locked properly when the vehicle was built. Because of this, fuel could leak out between the pump and the tank. In addition, when filling up at a gas station, the pump may not shut off automatically once the tank is full, which could cause diesel fuel to spill over the top.
The front seats have a weld on the part that lets you adjust the seat height. On some vans, that weld may not have been made strong enough. If the vehicle is in a crash, the weak weld could break and let the seat cushion shift forward. When a seat cushion shifts out of place during a crash, it raises the chance that the person sitting in it will be injured.
Some Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vans have a part called the abutting wedge, attached to the door frame to make it easier to open the door after a severe frontal crash, that may have been installed incorrectly.
On some Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vans, the airbag system may never have been turned on after the vehicle was built. Because the system was not activated, the airbags may not work as intended. This means the vehicle does not meet the federal safety standard for occupant crash protection.
Some Sprinter and Metris vans left the reassembly plant without a final quality inspection of safety-related parts and bolt connections. Because that inspection was skipped, some parts or bolts may not have been properly checked before the vehicle was delivered, creating unknown safety risks.
On some 2018 and 2019 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vans, the screw holding the upper hood catch in place may not have been tightened correctly. Because of this, factors like driving speed, wind, and road conditions could cause the hood to pop open while the van is being driven. Dealers will check the screw connection and tighten it as needed, free of charge.
On certain Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans, quickly turning the manual light switch from one position to another can cause the taillights to become much dimmer or shut off completely. Reduced taillight visibility makes it harder for other drivers to see the vehicle, which increases the risk of a crash.
Some Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vans were built with the wrong type of glass in their rear side windows. The windows are made of a single layer of safety glass instead of the laminated safety glass they are supposed to have. In a side-impact crash or a rollover, this type of glass may not hold together and protect rear-seat occupants from being ejected from the vehicle as well as laminated glass would.
Recalls and NHTSA owner complaints for each model year, side by side. Complaints are unverified owner reports, and better-selling or older years naturally collect more — read this as a record, not a ranking.
| Model year | Recalls | High / critical | Do-not-drive / park-outside | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 38 | 24 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2020 | 22 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
NHTSA lists 41 safety recalls covering the 2019–2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500. 26 of them are rated high or critical on this site. The most recent is "Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Instrument Cluster Too Bright" (NHTSA campaign 24V930000), reported Dec 13, 2024.
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500 has the most, with 38 recalls. The 2020 model year has the fewest of the years we cover, with 22. Newer model years have had less time to collect recalls, so a low count on a recent year is not a guarantee.
No. None of the 41 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500 recalls on file carries a do-not-drive or park-outside advisory from NHTSA.
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall often applies to only some vehicles of a model year, and the VIN lookup shows the ones still unrepaired on your car. Recall repairs are free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer, including for second owners.
Recalls and complaint record for one model year at a time: