NHTSA (USA)High Risk
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.
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500 has 8 recalls, the most serious being a hood latch that can come open while driving and completely block the driver's view.
Two other safety concerns involve occupant protection. The rear side windows may be standard single-pane glass rather than the laminated type required to keep passengers inside during a side impact or rollover. Separately, the airbag system on some vehicles may not have been activated after the van left the factory, meaning the airbags will not deploy in a crash.
On the mechanical side, the power steering return line hose can detach and leak hydraulic fluid, causing a sudden loss of power steering assist. There are also two labeling issues with the spare tire: some vans left the factory with no speed limit label on the spare at all, while others carry a label showing the limit in kilometers per hour rather than miles per hour, which could lead a driver to run the tire well beyond its safe speed. Rounding out the list, certain vehicles left the assembly plant without completing a final inspection of safety-related fasteners, leaving some connections in an unknown state.
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.
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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
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
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
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 upper hood latch may not be properly installed. During driving, this could cause the hood to open unexpectedly.
What the fix does
A dealer will inspect the latch and tighten its mounting screws. Any missing screws will be replaced.
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
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.
