The defect
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The steering column casing cover may have not been installed, allowing the steering column area to be exposed.
The risk
If small vehicle components, such as nuts and screws, enter the steering column area, the steering operation can be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
DVUSA will notify owners, and Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter dealers will replace the steering column with one that has a cover, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 10, 2020. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3VERKLE.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
Components: STEERING:COLUMN
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freightliner Sprinter 1500 | 2019 | 0 | 34 |
| Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | 2019 | 4 | 36 |
| Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | 2019 | 0 | 36 |
| Freightliner Sprinter 4500 | 2019 | 1 | 34 |
| Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 | 2019 | 8 | 38 |
| Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 | 2019 | 67 | 42 |
| Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | 2019 | 27 | 41 |
| Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500 | 2019 | 9 | 38 |
Other steering recalls in 2020
29 of the 782 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2020 concerned the steering; Daimler Vans USA, LLC filed 126 campaigns in all.
| 20V726000 20 Nov 2020 | Ford Motor Company |
| 20V712000 17 Nov 2020 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. |
| 20V664000 28 Oct 2020 | Proterra Inc. |
| 20V663000 28 Oct 2020 | Daimler Vans USA, LLC |
| 20V651000 23 Oct 2020 | Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. |
| 20V626000 9 Oct 2020 | Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. |
| 20V621000 7 Oct 2020 | Proterra Inc. |
| 20V568000 21 Sept 2020 | Nova Bus |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2020