The defect
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019 Mercedes Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The incorrect leaf spring shims may have been installed between the rear axle and the leaf springs possibly affecting the vehicle's handling. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
The risk
The incorrect leaf spring shims may negatively affect vehicle handling, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the leaf spring shims on both sides, renew the spring brackets, check the rubber buffers for wear, renewing them if necessary, and adjust the headlamps, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a schedule for recall notification. DVUSA issued owners an interim notification on September 18, 2020. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3LEFSPRI.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Freightliner Sprinter (VS30) | 2019 |
| Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (VS30) | 2019 |
Components: SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:LEAF
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 (VS30) | 2019 | 0 | 6 |
| Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (VS30) | 2019 | 4 | 14 |
Other suspension recalls in 2020
27 of the 782 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2020 concerned the suspension; Daimler Vans USA, LLC filed 126 campaigns in all.
| 20V764000 21 Dec 2020 | General Motors, LLC |
| 20V758000 8 Dec 2020 | McNeilus Truck & Manufacturing, Inc. |
| 20V709000 17 Nov 2020 | Tesla, Inc. |
| 20V708000 17 Nov 2020 | Altec Industries Inc. |
| 20V695000 10 Nov 2020 | Winnebago Towable |
| 20V689000 6 Nov 2020 | Autocar, LLC |
| 20V678000 4 Nov 2020 | BMW of North America, LLC |
| 20V665000 29 Oct 2020 | Jayco, Inc. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2020