Freightliner · Model Report
Showing safety data for the 2009 model year only.
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.
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.
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.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL WAS SPILLING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ONTO THE ROAD SURFACE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT UP FIVE QUARTS OF OIL WOULD SPILL OUT EVERY SEVEN DAYS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V294000 (FUEL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 288,000.
No injuries · No fire · No crash
THE METHODOLOGY/GASKETING/ WHATEVER IS SO INADEQUATE ON ROOFTOP AIR CONDITIONING UNITS THAT THESE VEHICLES ARE "SEMI-JOKINGLY" CALLED RAIN FORESTS DUE TO UNBELIEVABLY BAD AND CHRONIC AND DANGEROUS RAIN LEAKING THROUGH THE ROOF. A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH ON "SPRINTER ROOF LEAK" BRINGS BACK MANY, MANY RESULTS -- INCLUDING YOUTUBE VIDEOS OF THE OUTRAGEOUS AMOUNT OF LEAKING. THE REAR PASSENGERS IN SOME SPRINTER VANS ARE GETTING A SHOWER THAT THEY DON'T EXPECT. THE REAR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM IS REPORTEDLY LEAKING IN SOME MODELS, AND OWNERS ARE BOILING MAD. A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT WAS FILED IN CALIFORNIA ALLEGING THAT MERCEDES KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND DIDN'T FIX IT. BAD SEALS AROUND THE ROOFTOP, REAR AIR CONDITIONER ON SOME SPRINTER 2500 AND 3500 MODELS ALLEGEDLY CAUSE THE LEAK. DRIVERS CLAIM THAT IT'S BAD ENOUGH TO SEEM LIKE IT'S RAINING IN THE VEHICLE, AND SOME OWNERS SAY THAT IT LEADS TO MOLD AND WATER DAMAGE AROUND THE HEADLINER. REGARDLESS OF HOW MANY TIMES DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENTS TRY TO REPAIR -- THE PROBLEM RE-OCCURS WITHIN MONTHS TYPICALLY. THE ONLY WAY I COULD STOP THE RAIN-INFILTRATION ON MY VEHICLE IS TO COMPLETELY REMOVE THE ROOFTOP UNIT. HENCE, A UNIT THAT COSTS ~ $6,000 DOLLARS HAS BEEN REMOVED, ALSO REQUIRING REMEDIATION OF THE RESULTING 16 X 33 INCH HOLE IN THE ROOFTOP SHEET-METAL AND THE INTERIOR HEADLINER, WHICH ALONE COSTS ANOTHER $600 FROM MB PARTS DEPARTMENT. I HAVE COMMUNICATED WITH EXECUTIVE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT MERCEDES BENZ CORPORATE TO LITTLE AVAIL, DESPITE THE FACT THAT MOST SPRINTER SERVICE DEPARTMENTS, READILY ADMIT, THAT THIS IS A HUGE, RECURRING PROBLEM. IT REALLY IS A SHAME THAT THIS IS THE PRIMARY "ACHILLES HEEL" ON THIS VEHICLE, THAT OTHERWISE, IMPRESSES ME TIME AND AGAIN. *TR
No injuries · No fire · No crash