NHTSA (USA)Medium Risk
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500 has 22 recalls, the most serious involving a loose propeller shaft that can reduce vehicle control and, in a crash, punch into the fuel tank and cause a fire.
Several other recalls also carry significant safety consequences. Fuel line clamps can loosen and leak fuel near the engine, creating a separate fire risk. On vehicles with electric parking brakes, brake fluid can leak from the rear calipers into the parking brake housing, allowing air into the hydraulic system and causing the brake pedal to travel further before slowing the vehicle. A software error in the park lock system can allow the vehicle to roll after being placed in Park, and on vehicles with a 7-speed automatic transmission and manual parking brake, a worn parking pawl guide bushing can prevent the transmission from holding the vehicle on a grade. Brake hoses on the front and rear axles can develop leaks that reduce braking performance and directional stability. The power steering return line hose can detach and spill fluid, causing a sudden loss of steering assist.
Structural issues include frame members missing reinforcement fasteners, which can compromise third-row seat mounts in a crash, and a partition wall missing bolts that can break free during a collision. Front door hinge screws may be loose, and vehicles with an optional electric sliding door may have an incorrect auxiliary lock that allows the door to open too far in a crash. Wiring harnesses on swivel seat models can get pinched in the seat frame, preventing side airbags from deploying properly.
Several electrical and visibility recalls round out the
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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 propeller shaft bearing connection to the crossmember can loosen, which reduces your ability to control the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the crossmember and replace it if needed, 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
Front door hinge screws may not be properly tightened, potentially affecting door security and function.
What the fix does
Dealer will inspect front door hinge screws and tighten them as needed at no cost.
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 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
The outer covering of brake hoses on the front and rear axles may have been damaged during manufacturing, potentially affecting brake system function.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the brake hoses on front and rear axles and replace any damaged hoses at no charge.
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.
