Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
Manufacturer
Daimler Vans USA, LLC
Vehicles affected
20,665
Reported to NHTSA
2017-07-28
Owners notified
2018-01-12
Defect description
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2010-2011 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.
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 front passenger side air bag, free of charge. The began on January 12, 2018. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-379.
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.
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
Manufacturer
SPRINTER ENGINEERING & COMPLIANCE SUPPOR
Vehicles affected
2,589
Reported to NHTSA
2010-06-29
Owners notified
2010-10-04
Defect description
SPRINTER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 2009 THROUGH MARCH 2010 AND SOLD UNDER THE MERCEDES-BENZ, FREIGHTLINER, AND DODGE BRAND NAME. THE SPRING PLATE WHICH ATTACHES THE OIL FILLER NECK TO THE CYLINDER-HEAD COVER MAY CRACK.
Safety risk
A CRACK IN THE SPRING PLATE MAY RESULT IN ENGINE OIL LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FROM THE OIL FILLER NECK, POSSIBLY LEADING TO THE ACCUMULATION OF DIRT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITH SUBSEQUENT SOILING OF THE ROAD SURFACE WHICH COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OIL FILLER NECK FREE OF CHARGE. MERCEDES-BENZ USA IS HANDLING THE MERCEDES-BENZ AND FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN, AND CHRYSLER IS HANDLING THE DODGE SPRINTER OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 4, 2010. MERCEDES-BENZ AND FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER OWNERS MAY CONTACT MBUSA, LLC AT 1-877-762-8276, AND DODGE SPRINTER OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Air bags
1
800 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)
1
720 mi
Engine
1
13,402 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
1
13,402 mi
The 2011 model has 2 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.