Daimler Vans USA, LLC is recalling certain 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 and Freightliner

Dec 14, 2017 — Recall Campaign #17V804000

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 and Freightliner Sprinter 3500 vehicles equipped with the Crosswind Assist function. In the event of strong crosswind, automatic brake interventions by the vehicle dynamics control system (ADAPTIVE ESP) might not be activated.

The recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 2,177 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

17V804000

Manufacturer:	Daimler Vans USA, LLC
Recall date:	December 14, 2017
NHTSA Campaign #:	17V804000
Units affected:	2,177

Description:: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 and Freightliner Sprinter 3500 vehicles equipped with the Crosswind Assist function. In the event of strong crosswind, automatic brake interventions by the vehicle dynamics control system (ADAPTIVE ESP) might not be activated.
Consequeces:: If Crosswind Assist system does not activate the automatic braking system as expected in the event of a strong crosswind, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Corrective action:: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the ESP control unit with corrected software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in January 2018. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-854-888-3214.
Notes:: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Affects the following:

2017 FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER 3500 Complaints
AT 5,600 MILES, TRAVELING WEST BOUND ON I-68 IN WESTERN MARYLAND NEAR EXIT 62. SPRINTER DANGEROUSLY AND UNCONTROLLABLY ACCELERATED AND DECELERATED RAPIDLY SHIFTED GEARS. I SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND DRIFTED TO AN OFF RAMP. DASH LIGHTS INDICATED THREE PROBLEMS ABS, SWERVE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL. SHUT DOWN ENGINE AND RESTARTED - SAME RESULT. DISCONNECTED BATTERY THEN RECONNECTED - SAME RESULT. CONNECTED A SCANNER WHICH INDICATED RIGHT REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILURE. CONTACTED SELLING DEALER SHOP MANAGER AND WAS ADVISED THERE WAS NO WORK-AROUND AND STATED I SHOULD HAVE IT TOWED TO NEAREST FREIGHTLINER DEALER IN APPROXIMATELY 70 MILES AWAY. AFTER DRIVING VERY SLOWLY TO A SAFE AREA, I INSPECTED THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY AND NOTED TWO CONNECTORS ON EACH SIDE, CHECKED FOR TIGHTNESS AND INSPECTED THE WIRING FOR DAMAGE, BUT NONE OBSERVED. AFTER CHECKING BLOGS ON MY SMART PHONE, I DISCOVERED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SPRINTERS FROM 2010 TO 2017 AND COMMENTERS NOTED THAT MERCEDES STATES THE VENDORS CHANGED ALLOYS ON THE SENSORS AS THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE ISSUE. TYPICAL REPAIR COSTS WERE INDICATED TO BE $350 TO $400, AND MANY COMMENTERS STATED THEY HAD PAID FOR MULTIPLE SENSORS AND ONE COMMENTER STATED THE ABS MODULE WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY IN HIS CASE FOLLOWING SEVERAL SENSOR REPLACEMENTS. BOTTOM LINE, MERCEDES NEEDS TO OWN RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR FAILURE AND REPLACE ALL FOUR SENSORS WITHOUT COST TO THE OWNERS (AKA RECALL). THE DANGEROUS UNWANTED ACCELERATION COULD COST LIVES AND EXTENSIVE PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF SERVICE TFN AWAITING SELLING DEALER RESPONSE.;
2017 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500 Complaints
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver's side tire became deflated. The vehicle was driven to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the front driver's side rim was cracked. The contact was informed that the front driver's side rim needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the parts were unavailable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the failure had reoccurred due to potholes in the road. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The failure became a persistent failure. Additionally, the contact stated that the front passenger's rim and both rear rims were all cracked. In addition, the driver's side rear tire was damaged because of the failure. The contact stated that parts were unavailable at the dealer. The contact stated that during the failure, the contact had to search around for replacement rims. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.;