NHTSA (USA)Medium Risk
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 has 38 recalls, the most serious covering multiple fire and crash hazards including a hood that can fly open at speed, exhaust leaks that can ignite under the hood, fuel leaks at the pump and fuel line connections, and a steering spindle that can lose its mounting screws and make the van difficult to steer.
Several recalls involve brakes: a fender liner can chafe through a brake hose until fluid leaks out, rear brake calipers can allow fluid into the electric parking brake housing and introduce air into the brake lines, and a loose brake pedal bolt can cause brake lights to stay on permanently, masking actual braking from drivers behind. On the parking and rollaway side, a software error can let the van roll after being shifted into Park, and the parking pawl in the 7-speed automatic transmission can fatigue and fail to lock the vehicle in place; some recalls only affect vehicles with specific transmission or parking brake configurations.
Structural and occupant protection issues are widespread: the airbag system may not have been activated at the factory, side windows in some vehicles are single-pane glass that can fail to retain rear passengers in a rollover, swivel seat wiring can be damaged and prevent side airbags from deploying correctly, front seat welds can break in a crash and let the cushion shift forward, a partition wall may be missing bolts and detach in a collision, the sliding door auxiliary lock on electric door models may not meet ejection standards, and the longitudinal frame members may be missing reinforcement fasteners that support
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At a glance
What can fail
The instrument cluster brightness cannot be adjusted and may appear too bright under certain lighting conditions, failing to meet federal display standards.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the instrument cluster software at no cost to restore proper brightness adjustment functionality.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The lengthwise frame members lack reinforcement fasteners, which reduces vehicle stability and weakens the structural integrity of third-row seats.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the frame members and repair them as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The partition wall separating the cab from the cargo area may be missing bolts, which could cause it to detach during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the partition wall and secure any loose bolts at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The instrument cluster may fail to display any information when you start the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the instrument cluster software at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The guide bushing on the parking pawl may wear out over time, preventing the parking brake from fully engaging and allowing the vehicle to roll away.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the software in the electronic stability, transmission control, direct select, and electronic ignition switch control units at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the communication module's SIM card can prevent mobile network connection, which disables the emergency call system.
What the fix does
The communication module software will be updated for free through an over-the-air update or by a dealer.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error may prevent the rearview camera from displaying the backup image on the screen.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the rearview camera software at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the park lock system may allow the vehicle to move after shifting to Park without the parking brake engaged.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the electronic stability program control unit software at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The MBUX multimedia system software may cause the display to stay black or restart after you start the vehicle, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying properly.
What the fix does
A dealer will update the multimedia system software, or you'll receive an over-the-air update, at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Front seat wiring harnesses may be routed incorrectly and get caught or damaged by the swivel seat frame mechanism.
What the fix does
Dealers will reposition and secure the wiring harness mounting clip to the correct location.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The hydraulic power steering return line hose can detach, causing hydraulic fluid to leak and loss of power steering function.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a screw-type clamp on the hose to secure it and prevent detachment.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The dashboard display screen may be too bright and cannot be adjusted in certain lighting conditions, making it difficult to read.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the instrument cluster software at no cost to restore proper brightness control and adjustability.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolt and washer holding the brake pedal to the bearing block may loosen and fall off, causing brake lights to stay on even when you're not pressing the brake pedal.
What the fix does
Dealers will install an additional retaining ring on the brake pedal's bearing bracket to secure it properly, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The auxiliary lock on the electric sliding door may be the wrong type, which could fail to prevent door ejection in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will convert the electric sliding door to manual operation at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera image may take longer than 2 seconds to display when backing up, or an emergency call pop-up window may block the rearview image if the eCall system activates while in reverse.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a software update to fix the rearview camera display timing and pop-up window behavior at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The communication module software may fail to send your correct vehicle location to emergency services when the automatic emergency call system activates after a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the communication module software for the emergency call system at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Rear brake calipers may leak brake fluid into the electric parking brake housing, allowing air to enter the hydraulic brake system.
What the fix does
Rear brake calipers will be replaced at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The printed and digital operator's manual may contain inaccurate or incomplete information.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the printed manual with the correct version and update the digital manual software at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The hydraulic hoses that return fluid from the power steering system may come loose at their connection points during normal driving, causing steering fluid to leak out.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the power steering return line connections and tighten or repair them as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Fuel line clamps may loosen, allowing fuel to leak from the fuel system.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect fuel hose clamp connections and tighten or replace them as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Operator's Manual contains inaccurate information about how the automatic parking function (Auto-P) works.
What the fix does
Dealers will provide the correct description of the Auto-P function to replace the incorrect manual information.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear part of the front fender liner may rub against the brake hose, causing it to wear through and leak brake fluid.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace brake hoses as needed, and modify the fender liners to prevent contact.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The spare tire may be missing its label that shows the maximum safe speed for that tire.
What the fix does
A dealer will attach the speed limitation label to your spare wheel at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The spare tire label shows the maximum speed in kilometers per hour (55 kph) instead of miles per hour (34 mph), which could cause confusion about safe driving speed with the spare tire installed.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the spare tire label with one showing the correct maximum speed in miles per hour at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Winter tires may not have been installed in the correct direction, reducing traction in wet or snowy conditions. Uneven thread wear may also be present.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect tire direction and correct it if needed. Tires with uneven wear will be replaced. All work is free.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Screws securing the intermediate bearing of the steering spindle may not be properly tightened, causing them to loosen and detach.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the steering spindle intermediate bearing screws and tighten them properly at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The steering column casing cover may be missing, leaving the steering column area exposed.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the steering column with one that has a cover installed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The flange connection between the turbocharger and diesel particulate filter exit may not be properly attached, allowing exhaust gas to leak.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the flange seals and properly tighten the connection at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The connecting screws on the exhaust gas recirculation pipe may not be properly tightened, potentially causing leaks or disconnection.
What the fix does
Dealers will retighten the screws and replace the flange seals on the exhaust gas recirculation pipe at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The lashing rails on the side walls may not be properly installed and could detach.
What the fix does
Dealers will securely reattach the lashing rails to the side walls at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bayonet lock connecting the fuel pump to the fuel tank may not be fully closed and locked, allowing fuel to leak. Additionally, the fuel pump may not stop automatically when the tank is full, causing overflow at the gas station.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and lock the bayonet lock on the fuel pump as needed at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A seam on the front seat height adjuster may not have been welded properly, potentially causing the adjuster to fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front seat tilt adjuster at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The abutment wedge on the door jamb, which helps open the door after a severe frontal crash, may have been installed incorrectly.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and correct the abutment wedge installation on the driver and front passenger doors at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Vehicles missed final quality inspection at the reassembly plant, leaving safety-related parts and bolt connections unchecked. Unknown safety risks may exist.
What the fix does
Vehicle returns to reassembly plant for complete inspection and any needed repairs at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The airbag systems may not have been activated during manufacturing, so the airbags might not deploy in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will check if airbag systems are activated and activate them if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The screw holding the upper hood catch may not be tight enough, allowing the hood to open while driving due to speed, wind, or road conditions.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and tighten the hood catch screw as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Quickly switching the manual light control between positions can cause taillights to dim significantly or turn off completely.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the body control unit software at no cost to restore proper taillight function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Rear side windows may be single-pane safety glass instead of laminated safety glass, which provides less protection in impact or breakage.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the single-pane rear side windows with laminated safety glass at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
