NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
21 reportsMileage unknown · Aug 31, 2026
Service Brakes
This vehicle was subject to NHTSA Recall Number 19V003 involving failure of rear wheel speed sensors. The recall was completed by a dealer in April 2022 at 70,466 miles. At just under 90,000 miles in August 2026 a failure was indicated for the right rear wheel speed sensor. Error code C003A indicated on OBD-II scanner. This fail…
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This vehicle was subject to NHTSA Recall Number 19V003 involving failure of rear wheel speed sensors. The recall was completed by a dealer in April 2022 at 70,466 miles. At just under 90,000 miles in August 2026 a failure was indicated for the right rear wheel speed sensor. Error code C003A indicated on OBD-II scanner. This failure triggered ABS, ASR/ABS and EPS warning lights for functions including antilock braking, traction control and stability control. This also triggered a check engine light and speed control was disabled. The owners manual indicates a risk of accident. Dealer and MB says there is no additional warranty or action for the wheel speed sensor that repeatedly fails.
NHTSA ODI #11760939
Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2021
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V042000 (Electronic Stability Control) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The manufacturer was made a…
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The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V042000 (Electronic Stability Control) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA ODI #11422658
Mileage unknown · May 14, 2021
Unknown Or Other
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL TIMES TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH TO START THE VEHICLE.IT MAY START EACH TIME FOR WEEKS AND THEN YOU MIGHT TRY 30 TOMES BEFORE IT WOULD START AGAIN. IF ONE HAD AN EMERGENCY AND NEEDED TO FIND A DOCTOR QUICK YOU WOULD BE HOPING THAT IT WOULD START. I WOULD ENCOURAGE SOMEONE TO GOOGLE"…
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WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL TIMES TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH TO START THE VEHICLE.IT MAY START EACH TIME FOR WEEKS AND THEN YOU MIGHT TRY 30 TOMES BEFORE IT WOULD START AGAIN. IF ONE HAD AN EMERGENCY AND NEEDED TO FIND A DOCTOR QUICK YOU WOULD BE HOPING THAT IT WOULD START. I WOULD ENCOURAGE SOMEONE TO GOOGLE" WHY WANT MY SPRINTER START" ONE COULD SEE HOW WIDE SPEED THIS IS IN THE SPRINTER WORLD. THIS HAS HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES FROM 2017-2021.
NHTSA ODI #11416600
11,400 miles · May 14, 2021
Engine
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO START UP AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS, WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED SEVERAL UNKNOWN DEALERS AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNO…
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THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO START UP AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS, WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED SEVERAL UNKNOWN DEALERS AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,400.
NHTSA ODI #11416594
129,000 miles · Mar 19, 2021
Vehicle Speed Control
ON OR ABOUT MARCH 11TH, I WENT TO MERCEDES BENZ OF 4000 N. MAIN STREET, GAINESVILLE FL. TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE SAFETY RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 21V042000 ON MY 2012 SPRINTER 3500 ( VIN WDA PF4CA2C9519207,PRODUCTION DATE 04/12/2012). I MET WITH MICHAEL POTTEIGER, ASST. SERVICE MANAGER. TO MY DISMAY, MR. POTTEIGER …
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ON OR ABOUT MARCH 11TH, I WENT TO MERCEDES BENZ OF 4000 N. MAIN STREET, GAINESVILLE FL. TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE SAFETY RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 21V042000 ON MY 2012 SPRINTER 3500 ( VIN WDA PF4CA2C9519207,PRODUCTION DATE 04/12/2012). I MET WITH MICHAEL POTTEIGER, ASST. SERVICE MANAGER. TO MY DISMAY, MR. POTTEIGER INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS NO SUCH RECALL AND THAT MERCEDES ADDRESSED THE ISSUE OF FAILED REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSORS BY EXTENDING THE WARRANTEE PERIOD. IN OTHER WORDS, THE SENSORS COULD ONLY BE REPLACED AFTER THEY FAILED. SINCE NHTSA PART 573 SAFETY RECALL REPORT 21V-042 DATED FEB 03, 2021 INDICATES THAT THE PLANNED DEALER NOTIFICATION DATE WAS FEB 22, 2021 THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THE DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE RECALL AND DELIBERATELY REFUSED TO PROVIDE THE REMEDY AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL REPORT. REQUEST THAT YOU TAKE NECESSARY ACTION TO IMMEDIATELY CORRECT THIS VIOLATION OF FEDERAL LAW TO PREVENT POSSIBLE FUTURE ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES. THANK YOU.03
NHTSA ODI #11403923
11,000 miles · Feb 12, 2021
Unknown Or Other
I( HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 4 YEARS AND I CANNOT COUNT THE TIMES IT FAILED TO START. WHEN YOU TRIED TO START IT THE ENGINE NEVER WOULD TURN OVER.SOME TIMES I WOULD TRY TO START IT FOR DOZENS OF TIMES BEFORE THE ENGINE WOULD TURN OVER. THIS COULD BE S SERIOUS PROBLEM FOR SENIOR PEOPLE. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON …
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I( HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 4 YEARS AND I CANNOT COUNT THE TIMES IT FAILED TO START. WHEN YOU TRIED TO START IT THE ENGINE NEVER WOULD TURN OVER.SOME TIMES I WOULD TRY TO START IT FOR DOZENS OF TIMES BEFORE THE ENGINE WOULD TURN OVER. THIS COULD BE S SERIOUS PROBLEM FOR SENIOR PEOPLE. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON THE SPRINTER FORUM. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER FAILED TO START. IT MIGHT TAKE YOU 30 TIMES OR SOMETIMES IT STARTS ON THE FIRST TURN OF THE KEY
NHTSA ODI #11395895
Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2021
Air BagsUnknown Or OtherCrashInjury
MY SON CHRISTOPHER JOHN LEE HOWARD WAS IS TRAGIC ACCIDENT IN DALLAS ON SEPT 11,2020 AND DIED AS A RESULT SEVERE INJURIES INTERNAL INJURIES THAT LEAD TO MAJOR BLEEDING OF THE STOMACH AND UPPER TORSO.*DT*DT*JB
NHTSA ODI #11395332
25,000 miles · Dec 10, 2020
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
THIS SPRINTER IS A WINNEBAGO 170X RV CONVERSION. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS SINCE BUYING THE VEHICLE IN 2016 WE HAVE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING. THE ENGINE REMAINS ON BUT THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT ENGAGED. STOPPING THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTING CLEARS UP THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY BUT IT WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN UNTIL…
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THIS SPRINTER IS A WINNEBAGO 170X RV CONVERSION. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS SINCE BUYING THE VEHICLE IN 2016 WE HAVE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING. THE ENGINE REMAINS ON BUT THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT ENGAGED. STOPPING THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTING CLEARS UP THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY BUT IT WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN UNTIL A FAILING REAR SPEED SENSOR IS REPLACED. THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED THE LOCAL MB DEALER REPLACED BOTH REAR SENSORS FREE OF CHARGE EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE SECOND TIME A WHEEL SENSOR FAILED WE WERE FAR FROM HOME AND HAD TO DELAY OUR TRIP SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE THE CORRECT PART COULD BE INSTALLED. I HAVE ALSO FOUND IN REPAIR RECEIPTS FROM THE PRIOR OWNER THAT A REAR SENSOR WAS REPLACED WHEN THEY OWNED THE VEHICLE. THIS FAILURE MODE - SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES ON FREEWAYS INCLUDING ONCE IN THE FAST LANE WHERE PULLING OVER TO THE RIGHT WAS IMPOSSIBLE. WE NOW CARRY A SPARE SET OF REAL WHEEL SPEED SENSORS IF WE FIND OURSELVES IN A LOCATION WHERE MERCEDES BENZ PARTS ARE NOT READILY AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #11382947
38,500 miles · Nov 8, 2020
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
THIS IS A SECOND OCCURANCE OF A PROBLEM REPORTED UNDER COMPLAINT NO. 11094122. THIS TIME THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON (CEL, ABS, ESC AND ASC). DEALER DIAGNOSED IT AS A 'MALFUNCTIONNING RPM SENSOR'.
NHTSA ODI #11373656
45,692 miles · Oct 28, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion SystemWheels
A THOR MOTOR COACH ON A 2012 MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER MDB 11K 170 16 0257554 CHASSIS. ON 4/17/2019 THE DEF SENSOR FAILED ON 05/18/2020 THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILED. ON 09/14/2020 THE BATTERY FAULT PANEL BLEW OUT. ON 10/12/2020 THE EXHAUST GAS SENSOR FAILED. ON 10/22/2020 THE LEFT REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILED. THESE …
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A THOR MOTOR COACH ON A 2012 MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER MDB 11K 170 16 0257554 CHASSIS. ON 4/17/2019 THE DEF SENSOR FAILED ON 05/18/2020 THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILED. ON 09/14/2020 THE BATTERY FAULT PANEL BLEW OUT. ON 10/12/2020 THE EXHAUST GAS SENSOR FAILED. ON 10/22/2020 THE LEFT REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILED. THESE FAILURES HAPPENED WHILE ON TRIPS WITH NO AUTHORIZED REPAIR FACILITIES WITHIN 100 MILES LEAVING THE PEOPLE IN THE COACH IN UNSAFE LOCATIONS WITH NO CELL PHONE SERVICE. THIS COACH HAS A FEATURE THAT PUTS IT INTO A LIMP MODE, THAT SHIFTS IT INTO LOW GEAR WITH A MAXIMUM SPEED OF ABOUT 25 MPH WHICH IS VERY UNSAFE ON ANY HIGHWAY. THIS IS PROMOTED AS A SAFETY FEATURE WHEN IN FACT IT IS A HAZARD FEATURE.*DT*JB
NHTSA ODI #11366929
Official recalls
4Feb 3, 2021
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 3500 and Freightliner Sprinter 3500 vehicles upfitted into campers or recreational vehicles. The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) unit may become disabled on these vehicles.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If ESC becomes disabled, vehicle driving stability may be impacted under certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear-wheel speed sensor with a more robust sensor, free of charge. DVUSA issued owners an interim notification on March 10, 2021. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is NC3DREZAHA.
Jul 28, 2017
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2012 Freightliner and Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled into the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag, free of charge. The recall began on January 12, 2018. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Note: This recall supersedes recall 17V-025.
Feb 10, 2016
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (Daimler Vans) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Dodge Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2006, to July 31, 2008, 2007-2014 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2006, to July 1, 2014, and 2010-2014 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2010, to July 1, 2014. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Daimler Vans will notify the Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner owners and Fiat Chrysler will notify the Dodge owners. The respective dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2017. Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner owners may contact Daimler Van's customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Dodge owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Nov 5, 2014
Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply (Cummings) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, E-350, Chevrolet Express, 2006-2008 Dodge Sprinter, and 2009-2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2013 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured January 1, 2006, to October 8, 2014, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation after January 1, 2006. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.
Remedy: Cummings will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2015. Owners may contact Cumming's customer service at 1-800-639-5438 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Cumming's number for this recall is 14E-041.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE20014 · Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Failure
Opened Sep 21, 2020 · Closed Mar 30, 2021
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Air:antilock:wheel Speed Sensor; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:wheel Speed Sensor
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by Daimler Vans USA, LLC (Daimler) as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers to identify incidents related to Rear Wheel Speed Sensors (RWSS) failures. ODI's analysis identified 6,710 incidents of RWSS failure (unique VINs) in MY 2012-2018 Mercedes- Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles upfitted to campers or recreational vehicles (RVs) representing 81 percent of all Sprinter RWSS reports. Complaint and warranty analysis indicated that the majority of incidents (approximately 99%) were related to RWSS moisture intrusion condition in the Sprinter 3500 5-ton variant, which accounts for 98 percent of upfit campers, where moisture build-up and crystal dendrite formation develop in parked RVs and lead to sensor failures. According to the Daimler Information Request (IR) response, if the wheel speed information is detected as implausible by the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) control unit, the ESP system enters a failsafe mode where:-Driver torque requests are no longer accepted;-Cruise control, if used, would be deactivated; -The ESP/ABS system shuts off; and -Multiple warning lamps and messages advise the operator to take the vehicle to the workshop. While the majority of reports involved only ABS and/or ESP warning lights and messages on the instrument cluster due to faulty sensor signals triggering a failsafe mode, some reports cited intermittent sensor failures resulting in increased vehicle speed while in cruise control and degraded ABS or ESP. Degraded ESP functionality may impact driving stability of the 5-ton vehicle.On Feb 3, 2021, following discussion with ODI, Daimler submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a defect in the RWSS disabling the ESP control unit functions in approximately 48,667 MY 2012 through 2018 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter 3500 vehicles manufactured from Jan 4, 2012 through Oct 25, 2018 (Recall 21V-042). In its DIR, Daimler indicated that RWSS sensor failures are prevalent in camper vans due to sustained periods of non-use, during which time the moisture may not dry out, remaining inside the plastic housing package. If the moisture within the RWSS dries and the RWSS returns to normal operation, the failsafe mode and the warning lights will disappear at the next ignition cycle, but the sensor fault remains stored within the ESP control unit and can be accessed through a diagnostic evaluation. ODI will continue to monitor field experience in Sprinter non-RVs and Sprinter 2500 RVs 3-ton and 3.5-ton variants (approximately 626 vehicles).Daimler will notify owners of the recalled vehicles and advise them to take their vehicle to a Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter dealer, who will replace the RWSS with a repackaged sensor with high robustness against moisture intrusion. Daimler began notifying dealers and owners in Feb 2021. This Preliminary Evaluation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following ID numbers:11352380 11351299 11350521 11348969 11342776 11342464 11341988 11341151 11340388 11338230 11337921 11331832 11331829 11331476 11331427 11331066 11328671 11325768 11325693 11322814 11322346 11320295 11319376 11317336 11311647 11310621 11308318 11254223 11253828 11252220 11196530 11194330 11164250 11145019 11141273 11139000 11138785 11124129 11094122 11394837 11390889 11390039 11389262 11387883 11387713 11386418 11383887 11383866 11382947 11377384 11376615 11376973 11375781 11375403 11374997 11374151 11373892 11373111 11366293 11365920 11365594 11365355 11365194 11364253 11364346 11363990 11363787 11362948 113629
Additional source detail variants (2)
Service Brakes, Air:antilock:wheel Speed Sensor
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by Daimler Vans USA, LLC (Daimler) as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers to identify incidents related to Rear Wheel Speed Sensors (RWSS) failures. ODI's analysis identified 6,710 incidents of RWSS failure (unique VINs) in MY 2012-2018 Mercedes- Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles upfitted to campers or recreational vehicles (RVs) representing 81 percent of all Sprinter RWSS reports. Complaint and warranty analysis indicated that the majority of incidents (approximately 99%) were related to RWSS moisture intrusion condition in the Sprinter 3500 5-ton variant, which accounts for 98 percent of upfit campers, where moisture build-up and crystal dendrite formation develop in parked RVs and lead to sensor failures. According to the Daimler Information Request (IR) response, if the wheel speed information is detected as implausible by the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) control unit, the ESP system enters a failsafe mode where:-Driver torque requests are no longer accepted;-Cruise control, if used, would be deactivated; -The ESP/ABS system shuts off; and -Multiple warning lamps and messages advise the operator to take the vehicle to the workshop. While the majority of reports involved only ABS and/or ESP warning lights and messages on the instrument cluster due to faulty sensor signals triggering a failsafe mode, some reports cited intermittent sensor failures resulting in increased vehicle speed while in cruise control and degraded ABS or ESP. Degraded ESP functionality may impact driving stability of the 5-ton vehicle.On Feb 3, 2021, following discussion with ODI, Daimler submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a defect in the RWSS disabling the ESP control unit functions in approximately 48,667 MY 2012 through 2018 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter 3500 vehicles manufactured from Jan 4, 2012 through Oct 25, 2018 (Recall 21V-042). In its DIR, Daimler indicated that RWSS sensor failures are prevalent in camper vans due to sustained periods of non-use, during which time the moisture may not dry out, remaining inside the plastic housing package. If the moisture within the RWSS dries and the RWSS returns to normal operation, the failsafe mode and the warning lights will disappear at the next ignition cycle, but the sensor fault remains stored within the ESP control unit and can be accessed through a diagnostic evaluation. ODI will continue to monitor field experience in Sprinter non-RVs and Sprinter 2500 RVs 3-ton and 3.5-ton variants (approximately 626 vehicles).Daimler will notify owners of the recalled vehicles and advise them to take their vehicle to a Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter dealer, who will replace the RWSS with a repackaged sensor with high robustness against moisture intrusion. Daimler began notifying dealers and owners in Feb 2021. This Preliminary Evaluation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following ID numbers:11352380 11351299 11350521 11348969 11342776 11342464 11341988 11341151 11340388 11338230 11337921 11331832 11331829 11331476 11331427 11331066 11328671 11325768 11325693 11322814 11322346 11320295 11319376 11317336 11311647 11310621 11308318 11254223 11253828 11252220 11196530 11194330 11164250 11145019 11141273 11139000 11138785 11124129 11094122 11394837 11390889 11390039 11389262 11387883 11387713 11386418 11383887 11383866 11382947 11377384 11376615 11376973 11375781 11375403 11374997 11374151 11373892 11373111 11366293 11365920 11365594 11365355 11365194 11364253 11364346 11363990 11363787 11362948 113629
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:wheel Speed Sensor
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by Daimler Vans USA, LLC (Daimler) as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers to identify incidents related to Rear Wheel Speed Sensors (RWSS) failures. ODI's analysis identified 6,710 incidents of RWSS failure (unique VINs) in MY 2012-2018 Mercedes- Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles upfitted to campers or recreational vehicles (RVs) representing 81 percent of all Sprinter RWSS reports. Complaint and warranty analysis indicated that the majority of incidents (approximately 99%) were related to RWSS moisture intrusion condition in the Sprinter 3500 5-ton variant, which accounts for 98 percent of upfit campers, where moisture build-up and crystal dendrite formation develop in parked RVs and lead to sensor failures. According to the Daimler Information Request (IR) response, if the wheel speed information is detected as implausible by the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) control unit, the ESP system enters a failsafe mode where:-Driver torque requests are no longer accepted;-Cruise control, if used, would be deactivated; -The ESP/ABS system shuts off; and -Multiple warning lamps and messages advise the operator to take the vehicle to the workshop. While the majority of reports involved only ABS and/or ESP warning lights and messages on the instrument cluster due to faulty sensor signals triggering a failsafe mode, some reports cited intermittent sensor failures resulting in increased vehicle speed while in cruise control and degraded ABS or ESP. Degraded ESP functionality may impact driving stability of the 5-ton vehicle.On Feb 3, 2021, following discussion with ODI, Daimler submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a defect in the RWSS disabling the ESP control unit functions in approximately 48,667 MY 2012 through 2018 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter 3500 vehicles manufactured from Jan 4, 2012 through Oct 25, 2018 (Recall 21V-042). In its DIR, Daimler indicated that RWSS sensor failures are prevalent in camper vans due to sustained periods of non-use, during which time the moisture may not dry out, remaining inside the plastic housing package. If the moisture within the RWSS dries and the RWSS returns to normal operation, the failsafe mode and the warning lights will disappear at the next ignition cycle, but the sensor fault remains stored within the ESP control unit and can be accessed through a diagnostic evaluation. ODI will continue to monitor field experience in Sprinter non-RVs and Sprinter 2500 RVs 3-ton and 3.5-ton variants (approximately 626 vehicles).Daimler will notify owners of the recalled vehicles and advise them to take their vehicle to a Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter dealer, who will replace the RWSS with a repackaged sensor with high robustness against moisture intrusion. Daimler began notifying dealers and owners in Feb 2021. This Preliminary Evaluation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following ID numbers:11352380 11351299 11350521 11348969 11342776 11342464 11341988 11341151 11340388 11338230 11337921 11331832 11331829 11331476 11331427 11331066 11328671 11325768 11325693 11322814 11322346 11320295 11319376 11317336 11311647 11310621 11308318 11254223 11253828 11252220 11196530 11194330 11164250 11145019 11141273 11139000 11138785 11124129 11094122 11394837 11390889 11390039 11389262 11387883 11387713 11386418 11383887 11383866 11382947 11377384 11376615 11376973 11375781 11375403 11374997 11374151 11373892 11373111 11366293 11365920 11365594 11365355 11365194 11364253 11364346 11363990 11363787 11362948 113629
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