Recall 16V853 affects 28 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and Sprinter 3500 vehicles for left-seat-adjuster failure. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 28 2016 Sprinter 2500 and Sprinter 3500 vehicles because certain left-side Atwood seat adjusters can let a seat move during a crash. That movement increases injury risk for the seated occupant, and Mercedes-Benz dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The left side seat adjuster in these 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and Sprinter 3500 vans is the slide track under the seat. It lets the seat move for driver or passenger fit, then locks the seat in place so the seat and belt anchorage stay fixed during normal driving and a crash.
On affected Sprinter vans, the locking mechanism in Atwood slide track part #486077 does not hold as designed. That failure can let the seat move during a crash, which changes how the seat belt holds the occupant. Midwest traced the issue to aftermarket seats using this slide track, identified by the Julian date code stamped on the seat adjuster.
There is no warning sign before failure. The seat adjuster issue is tied to the locking mechanism, so an owner should not rely on noise, looseness, or seat feel to confirm whether the van is included.
Who's affected?
Covers both Sprinter weight classes listed for 2016, with the same front seat belt anchorage component.
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | seat belt |
| Units affected | 28 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no 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?
If the seat moves during a crash, the occupant faces a higher injury risk. There is no listed warning sign before this issue matters in a crash. If your VIN is included, schedule the left slide track repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 or Sprinter 3500 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free left-slide-track replacement, which fixes the seat adjuster that can let the seat move in a crash.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 16V853 when you call.
- Limit use of the affected front seat until the repair is complete, since seat movement in a crash increases injury risk.
- Call Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-574-522-4878 with questions about the repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician replaces the left slide track for the affected seat adjuster. The replacement parts and labor are free under recall 16V853. The work addresses a seat track that can let the seat move during a crash, so the dealer should confirm the correct track is installed before returning the vehicle. Mercedes-Benz has a general reimbursement plan on file for this campaign. If you already paid for a related seat-track repair, bring receipts or repair paperwork to the service desk and ask how to submit the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 18, 2016 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
|---|---|
| November 28, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
| November 28, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| November 28, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| December 22, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
| January 31, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V853?
Recall 16V853 covers 28 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and Sprinter 3500 vehicles with left-side seat adjusters that can let the seat move during a crash. That movement increases injury risk for the seat occupant. Dealers will replace the left slide track for free.
What should I do if my 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 or Sprinter 3500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific van is included in recall 16V853. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and ask for the left slide track replacement. Reference recall number 16V853 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the defect repair at no cost to the owner, and the campaign remedy states that dealers will replace the left slide track free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for included vehicles.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is seat movement during a crash. If the seat moves, the seat occupant faces an increased risk of injury because the seating system and seat belt anchorage do not hold position as intended.
What if I bought this Mercedes-Benz Sprinter used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Sprinter 2500 or Sprinter 3500 is included, then call a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer with recall number 16V853.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V853000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-574-522-4878 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V853 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V853000 |
Source documents
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 →