Daimler Vans USA has issued a safety recall for a handful of Sprinter vans produced for the 2021 – 2023 model years. The vans in question were sold under the Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner brands. To whom it may concern, the Freightliner version was discontinued after 2021 due to woefully poor sales.
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter isn't doing too hot either. Between January and September, the van division reported 51,815 deliveries in the United States of America for both the Sprinter and recently discontinued Metris. By comparison, the Ram ProMaster clocked 60,340 units. The Ford Transit remains the segment's favorite van, with FoMoCo reporting 98,052 sales from January to September.
Not exactly the best choice in the segment due to build quality-related concerns, the Sprinter has been recalled over several batches of poorly formulated paint. Otherwise put, the Stuttgart-based automaker determined that certain vans finished in Brilliant Blue may lose their fixed windows because of said topcoat. Dealers will gladly check the paint adhesion and – if necessary – perform the necessary repairs.
In addition to fixed windows, the lashing rails may also detach. The easiest way of telling whether a Brilliant Blue-painted Sprinter is affected by the recall condition is water ingress or wind noise coming from the fixed windows. Brilliant Blue is listed as A0009867500 in Merc's parts system.
An estimated 131 vehicles manufactured between April 8, 2021 and March 31, 2023 are recalled. A production process change ensures that said problem can no longer occur from April 3, 2023 onward. Known owners will be informed via first-class mail on or about January 19, 2024. Owners who aren't sure whether their vans are affected can run the VIN on the NHTSA's website. Alternatively, owners can do exactly that on the German automaker's website.
Photo: Mercedes-Benz
This generation of the Sprinter launched in 2018 for the 2019 model year with front-, rear-, and all-wheel drive. The all-electric version of the Sprinter used to come in front-wheel-drive flavor until recently. Marketed as the eSprinter in the United States of America, the zero-emission van features rear-wheel drive for the 2024 model year. Speaking of which, the most affordable specification is priced at $71,886.
Available with a high-output electric motor, the eSprinter is exclusively offered with a 170-inch wheelbase and a high-roof setup. The maximum payload rating for both the standard- and high-output motors is 2,624 pounds, meaning 1,190 kilograms in the metric system.
When it comes to internal combustion-engined vans, the Sprinter can be had in four body styles: cab chassis, cargo van, crew van, and passenger van. The cargo van is the most affordable of the bunch at $49,900 before destination fee and optional extras.
Previously available with gassers, the Sprinter is exclusively diesel for 2024. From a displacement of 1,950 cubic centimeters, the four-cylinder turbo diesel in question produces a respectable 211 horsepower and 332 pound-feet (450 Nm) in high-output specification.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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