Recall 16V670 affects 271 2016 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and Sprinter 3500 vehicles for loose rear seat belt bolts. Free repair at a franchised Freightliner dealer.
Freightliner is recalling 271 2016 Sprinter 2500 and Sprinter 3500 vans because bolts at the lower rear bench seat belt connection were not tightened properly. If those bolts are loose, the seat belt can fail to secure an occupant in a crash, and Freightliner dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The rear bench seat belt lower anchorage is the point where the lap belt is bolted to the bench seat frame. In a 2016 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 or Sprinter 3500, that bolt keeps the belt fixed so the rear passenger restraint pulls against the seat structure when it is loaded.
On affected vehicles, the bolts for the lower rear seat belt anchorages were not tightened to the required torque. A production process change at the seat supplier left bench seats at risk of being installed with seat belt mounting bolts that were not secured to specification. The fix does not require a redesigned part. The dealer applies the correct torque to the existing mounting hardware.
There is no warning sign before failure. The seat belt can look normal from the cabin even when the lower anchorage bolt was not tightened correctly.
Who's affected?
The Sprinter 2500 and Sprinter 3500 share the same rear seat belt component in this scope.
| 2016 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 | seat belt |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | seat belt |
| 2016 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | seat belt |
| Units affected | 271 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 3 field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific van is included.
What's the safety risk?
Loose or under-tightened seat belt connecting bolts can keep the belt from securing an occupant during a crash. Schedule the inspection soon, especially before carrying passengers. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 or Sprinter 3500 is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the free rear bench seat belt bolt inspection and tightening, which fixes loose lower seat belt connections.
- Bring the recall notice if Freightliner mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V670 when you call.
- Limit rear bench seat use until the inspection and repair are complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Freightliner technician inspects the bolts that connect the lower seat belt attachment to the rear bench seat and tightens them as needed. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. Freightliner is not providing a separate reimbursement program because the involved Sprinter vans remain covered under the new vehicle warranty. If you have prior repair paperwork for this seat belt bolt issue, ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| September 15, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 18, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
| November 28, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| November 24, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| November 24, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V670?
Recall 16V670 covers 271 2016 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and Sprinter 3500 vans with rear bench seat belt connection bolts that were not tightened correctly. In a crash, a loose connection can keep the seat belt from securing the occupant. Sprinter dealers inspect and tighten the bolts for free.
What should I do if my 2016 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 or Sprinter 3500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific van is included in recall 16V670. If it is, contact a franchised Freightliner Sprinter dealer to schedule the seat belt bolt inspection. Reference recall number 16V670 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Sprinter dealers will inspect the rear bench seat belt connection bolts and tighten them as needed free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 16V670?
The risk is rear seat belt failure during a crash. In recall 16V670, the lower seat belt connection bolts on the rear bench seat were not tightened correctly, so the belt can fail to secure the occupant when crash forces load the belt.
What if I bought this Freightliner Sprinter used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Sprinter is included, then call a franchised Freightliner Sprinter dealer and reference recall number 16V670.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V670000 |
|---|---|
| Freightliner customer service | 1-877-762-8267 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V670 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V670000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →