The defect
MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 2500 AND 3500 SPRINTER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTIONAL THREE-SEAT BENCH IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE SEAT BENCHES IN THE SECOND SEATING ROW MAY HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH SAFETY BELTS THAT DO NOT MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT," AND MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." FIRST, THOSE SAFETY BELTS MAY NOT LOCK AS REQUIRED. SECOND, THE ASSEMBLY LOOP MAY NOT PERFORM TO MINIMUM FORCE REQUIREMENTS.
The risk
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SAFETY BELTS IN THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT PERFORM AS REQUIRED SUCH THAT A SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
The remedy
MERCEDES-BENZ WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE ANY SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT DO NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 843-695-5000.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
Components: SEAT BELTS
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
Other seat belts recalls in 2011
10 of the 597 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2011 concerned the seat belts; MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC - DBA SPRINTER filed 3 campaigns in all.
| 11V597000 23 Dec 2011 | CORP. MICRO BIRD, INC. |
| 11V568000 2 Dec 2011 | MEDIX SPECIALTY VEHICLES, INC. |
| 11V552000 17 Nov 2011 | GENERAL MOTORS LLC |
| 11V535000 8 Nov 2011 | TOMBERLIN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP |
| 11V468000 9 Sept 2011 | HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.) |
| 11V409000 5 Aug 2011 | PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
| 11V349000 8 Jul 2011 | AIRSTREAM, INC. |
| 11V025000 19 Jan 2011 | THINK NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2011