Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
Manufacturer
Daimler Vans USA, LLC
Vehicles affected
43,689
Reported to NHTSA
2017-07-28
Owners notified
2017-09-29
Defect description
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2007-2009 Freightliner and Dodge 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.
Safety risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Manufacturer remedy
DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began on September 29, 2017. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Note: This recall fully supersedes recall 15V-354 and partially supersedes recalls 16V-379 and 17V-025.
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.
Safety risk
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.
Manufacturer 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.
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.
Safety 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.
Manufacturer 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.
SPRINTER IS RECALLING 246 MY 2008 DODGE OR FREIGHTLINER 2500 TRUCKS. THE REAR AXLE SPRING LEAVES WERE PRODUCED WITH AN INCORRECT RAW MATERIAL. THEREFORE THE LEAVES ARE THICKER THAN THE SERIAL COMPONENTS.
Safety risk
THE REAR AXLE SPRINGS MAY FAIL EARLIER THAN DESIGNED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE REAR AXLE SPRINGS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 3, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SPRINTER AT 1-843-695-5000.
CHRYSLER/SPRINTER IS RECALLING 727 MY 2007-2008 DODGE AND FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER 2500 PASSENGER VANS EQUIPPED WITH 144 INCH WHEELBASE AND STANDARD ROOF HEIGHT. THESE VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201U, 'OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT.' SOME VANS MAY NOT HAVE HAD CERTAIN HEAD IMPACT PROTECTION PADS INSTALLED AT THE C-PILLAR.
Safety risk
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS MAY OCCUR.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES AND, IF THE HEAD IMPACT PROTECTION PADS ARE MISSING, THE APPROPRIATE PADS WILL BE INSTALLED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 9, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SPRINTER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Air bags
41
—
Electrical system
3
35,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)
2
98,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)
1
251,847 mi
Engine
1
21,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling
1
22,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine
1
10,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system
1
10,000 mi
Exterior lighting
1
18,000 mi
Fuel system, diesel
1
22,500 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
1
21,000 mi
Seats
1
40,000 mi
Service brakes
1
251,847 mi
Steering
1
71,790 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
1
71,790 mi
Structure
1
20,000 mi
Suspension
1
224,000 mi
Vehicle speed control
1
251,847 mi
The 2007 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 2009 model has 20 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.
Open investigations
An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.
EA21002Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.