2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (vs30)

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened this PE after receiving 11 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging that Model Year (MY) 2019 Mercedes-Benz (MB) Sprinter vans, configured for use as Amazon delivery vehicles or ambulances, roll away shortly after being shifted to park using the Auto-P function. A rollaway vehicle with no operator behind the steering wheel could potentially strike pedestrians, moving or parked vehicles or buildings, resulting in injury, fatality and/or property damage. Analysis of data provided by MB in response to the ODI Information Request (IR) letter showed a high failure rate. Following discussions with ODI about the failures, MB decided to conduct a safety recall. On December 15, 2021, Daimler Vans USA, LLC filed recall 21V-972 covering 48,400 model year (MY) 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz (MB) Sprinter vans. With recall 21V-972, this investigation is closed. The affected vehicle population determined by MB is Sprinter vehicles (VS30, Platform 907) produced between June 5, 2018 and November 30, 2020 with a manual parking brake and a 7-speed automatic transmission that was manufactured between May 1, 2018 and October 31, 2019, in the Hedelfingen transmission plant in Germany.Further use of Agency resources does not appear to be warranted. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist on other model or MY vehicles outside of the recall scope. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID using the following complaint identification numbers:11360500, 11404893, 11404894, 11360505, 11404417, 11405798, 11405804, 11404969, 11404838, 11404891, 11415509, 11428353, 11428296, 11298470, 11428219, 11405803, 11427068, 11428216, 11428296, 11429905, 11447877, 11452051

The contact owns a 2022 Winnebago View built on a 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V695000 (Structure, Equipment) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11531367

Incident

Sep 16, 2022

When the object proximity sensors in the front or rear bumpers detect an object, the vehicle completely or severely limits the throttle. For instance, the rear bumper sensors detect the bike rack attached to my van and therefore limit the throttle response, regardless of transmission direction (forward or reverse). This seems to happen intermittently. When I mute the bumper sensor’s warning by tapping a button, then the throttle responds as expected. This is a known problem on the 2019+ VS30 Mercedes Sprinters, which affects all vans; it is not isolated to my specific van. This presents a safety issue, when the driver expects the vehicle to move but it does not. For instance, when rolling into traffic yet the throttle does not respond.

NHTSA ID

11485408

Incident

Feb 3, 2022

Active brake assist inoperable and cruise control is not available when this occurs

NHTSA ID

11441463

Incident

Nov 11, 2021

The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. After the purchase of the vehicle, the contact was informed that he was unable to take possession of the vehicle because of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V055000 (Electrical System) and that the parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the recall and initially informed him that the recall update would be available in mid-June however, the contact was recently informed that the update was still unavailable and there was no estimated date for the availability for the update. The manufacturer had been notified of the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11422302

Incident

Apr 15, 2021

Model 907 with all-wheel drive (A4M) – All-wheel drive inoperative Complaint The customer may report one or more of the following: • All-wheel drive is unavailable or inoperative. • Rear wheel slip during acceleration on low-traction surfaces. • Noise from the front axle area while driving. • Message in the instrument cluster indicating all-wheel drive is unavailable due to overheating. • Fault code P27874B - The temperature of the clutch is too high. There is a fault due to overtemperature may be stored in control unit N15 (Transfer Case). Cause An internal failure of the front axle differential may result in loss of torque transfer to the front wheels. In some cases, a fracture of the weld between the crown gear and differential housing may be present. Remedy Replace the front axle differential in accordance with: AR33.30-D-0525TSY – Replace Front Axle Differential.

ASSYST PLUS service reminder appears earlier than expected due to vehicle operating conditions Complaint The ASSYST PLUS service reminder appears earlier than expected. The customer or dealer may report that the vehicle did not reach the starting maintenance interval shown in vehicle documentation, option coding, sales literature, or the Owner's Manual. The service reminder may appear significantly earlier than anticipated even though no faults are stored and no malfunction is present in the vehicle. The remaining distance and remaining time continue to decrease normally until the service reminder is displayed. Cause This condition is not caused by a malfunction of ASSYST PLUS. ASSYST PLUS is a dynamic maintenance management system that continuously evaluates vehicle usage and opera-ting conditions to determine maintenance requirements. The starting maintenance interval specified by variant coding represents a maximum interval that may only be achieved under favorable operating conditions. Actual maintenance intervals may be significantly shorter depending on vehicle use. Vehicle operating conditions such as driving conditions, engine load, engine operating conditions, idling, short-trip operation, environmental influences, oil aging, and Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) regeneration activity may reduce the maintenance interval from its starting value. These conditions may accelerate engine oil aging through increased soot loading, fuel dilution, moisture accumulation, and additional engine operating stress. As a result, the remaining distance and remaining time until the next service may be reduced from the starting maintenance interval. Remedy Do not replace any parts. A due service must be assumed if the maintenance data calculated by ASSYST PLUS indicates that service is required.

Fuel Level Unchanged After Refueling Complaint The customer reports that the fuel gauge shows inaccurate readings or remains unchanged after refueling. Cause A. The Fuel Supply Control Unit (FSCU) fails to detect a refueling event B. The Fuel Level Sensor provides incorrect readings due to mechanical interference or installation issues

Complaint Complaint A: The engine is jolting/bucking between 1700 and 1900 rpm. Complaint B: One or more mechanical related fault codes for EGR Valve stored in CDI control unit, with possible Check Engine Light. Review list of mechanical fault codes in table below. NOTE: If one or more electrical related fault codes for EGR Valve are also present in CDI, utilize Complaint C. Review list of electrical fault codes PDF document in attachments. Complaint C: One or more electrical related fault codes for EGR Valve stored in CDI control unit, with possible Check Engine Light. Review list of electrical fault codes PDF document attached. NOTE: This LI supersedes LI14.20-N-073813, which is no longer valid. Cause Cause of Complaint A: Increased friction between the EGR Valve blade and seat due to soot deposits causing a delay of the EGR Valve being able to reach the target value of the EGR Valve position controller. NOTE: This causes the EGR Valve blade and potentially the boost pressure controller to oscillate. Cause of Complaint B: Soot deposits between the EGR Valve blade and seat leading to the EGR Valve no longer being able to meet the de-sired target of the EGR Valve position controller. Cause of Complaint C: Internal EGR Valve or other electrical faults related to the EGR Valve function. Remedy Remedy for Complaint A: Perform the following steps: 1. Disable the EGR Valve (Y27/17) by disconnecting the electrical connector. 2. Perform a test drive to check if the jolting/bucking issue resolves. 3. If the jolting/bucking is resolved, proceed to Remedy for Complaint B. 4. If jolting/bucking is still present, proceed with diagnosis to determine the root cause. Consider checking the follo-wing, but not limited to: •EGR system including the EGR Cooler, EGR Bypass Flap, EGR Temperature Sensor, and pipes for proper operati-on, excessive sooting and/or clogging, as well as EGR Bypass Flap vacuum element, switchover valve, and vacuum system. •Visually check the leak oil line or T-piece; reference LI07.00-N-059118.

Acoustic Warning or message occurring when a closed sliding door is not recognized Complaint Customer may state the warning message or indicator accompanied by acoustic tone alerting the sliding door is ajar when the door is completely closed Cause There are several reasons that lead to the failure occurring: - Mechanical damage through bending when loading and unloading - Worn contact plates --> After detachment of silver plating, the coper plate is corroded - Movement of sliding door/body when driving --> Contact pins do not always make contact with contact plate --> Central locking system fault message in instrument cluster Remedy In a problem case, replace contact switch for vehicles with +T50/+T55/+EL9 or contact plate with A4478201903. Remember to check the fit of the sliding doors and make any necessary adjustments as per AR72.16-S-1023E (447/448) and AR72.16-D-1023TS (907/910). Further valid damage codes: 82326 Contact switch for central locking system on sliding door 82347 Contact plate for central locking system on sliding door 53196 K/Z contact plate for central locking system on sliding door 82645 Contact switch for sliding door

Complaint ASSYST values in XENTRY actual values and workshop menu of instrument cluster are implausibly excessive. Infor-mation: According to ASSYST values in XENTRY Diagnosis and the instrument cluster workshop menu, a larger jump (for example 20,000 km or 12,500 miles) has been detected within one ignition cycle that does not match the usual customer usage pattern/maintenance history. Cause Differences between the ASSYST memory in the control units for the drivetrain (N127) (CPC) and the instrument clus-ter (A1) (IC) Remedy 1. Connect 12 V charger (see AR54.10-D-1127TS for models 907). Note: An adequate voltage from the on-board electrical system battery must be guaranteed for the entire duration of the work procedure. Otherwise the control units could be damaged if an undervoltage occurs. Information: Observe the operating instructions of the 12 V charger. Information: Use the 12 V charger to ensure a sufficient voltage (minimum 12.5 V) from the on-board electrical system battery.