Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 Recalls

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 has 55 recalls spanning 2015 through 2024, with the most serious being a wiring harness defect on 2023 models where the harness can chafe against the drive shaft, short circuit, and simultaneously cut drive power, power steering, and brake system function.

The 2023 and 2024 model years carry several additional serious issues. On 2023-2024 vehicles, the rear axle spring U-bolts can weaken and allow the rear axle to shift out of position, causing loss of vehicle control. A separate 2023 issue involves a loose front left suspension strut bolt that can cause loss of steering control, and another affects a 12-volt ground connection that can overheat, cut drive power, and raise the risk of fire. The 2024 model year has a parking brake cable bracket weld that can fail and disengage the parking brake, allowing the vehicle to roll away.

The 2021-2022 era has its own cluster of concerns. On 2021 models, an incorrectly installed torsion bar shim can cause the front suspension linkage to fail and destabilize the vehicle. A separate 2021 wiring issue inside the battery case can allow the starter-generator harness to chafe against the transmission carrier and short circuit, raising fire risk. The 2021 front fender liner can also contact and damage the brake hose, leading to fluid loss and longer stopping distances. On 2021-2023 vehicles, a paint formula issue can cause windows and interior lashing rails to bond poorly to the body, allowing them to detach in a crash. The 2021-2022 fuel pump can shut down unexpectedly, cutting drive power. On 2021 models with automatic locking retractor seat belts, the retractor can release early and prevent a child safety seat from staying secured in a crash.

The 2019-2020 generation accounts for the densest concentration of recalls. On the safety-critical side, 2019-2020 vehicles with electric parking brakes can leak brake fluid into the parking brake housing, allowing air into the hydraulic system and extending stopping distances. A software error on 2019-2020 models can allow the vehicle to roll after the gear selector is placed in Park. The 2019-2020 hydraulic power steering return hose can detach and cause sudden loss of steering assist. On 2020 models, the propeller shaft bearing can loosen and reduce vehicle control, and in a crash the shaft can puncture the fuel tank. The 2020 brake hoses can have production damage that leads to fluid leaks and loss of directional stability under braking. On 2019 models specifically, loose steering spindle screws can detach and make the vehicle difficult to steer; the EGR pipe and turbocharger exhaust flange can both leak hot gases into the engine compartment and start a fire; a fuel pump-to-tank bayonet lock can leak diesel onto the road; and the hood catch screw can loosen and allow the hood to fly open while driving. The 2019-2020 fuel line clamps can loosen and leak fuel. On 2019-2021 vehicles with swivel seats, incorrectly routed seat wiring can jam in the seat frame and cause the side airbag to deploy unexpectedly or fail in a crash; a 2022 swivel-seat wiring issue carries the same consequence. The 2019-2022 instrument cluster can go completely blank at startup, removing all speed and warning information