Recall 17V272 covers 3 2013, 2014, 2016 Freightliner Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 3500, and Metris vehicles. Free control-unit software update.
Freightliner is recalling 3 2013, 2014, 2016 Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 3500, and Metris vehicles under recall 17V272 because service software updates left the vehicles with improper software. The software problem can affect electronic stability control, the air bag control unit, or engine management, increasing crash risk or injury risk in a crash; the dealer repair will be free once Freightliner makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The software in the 2013, 2014, and 2016 Freightliner Sprinter 2500, Metris, and Sprinter 3500 works like instructions for the vehicle's control units. Those control units are small computers that manage electrical functions and tell linked systems how to behave after service updates. Correct coding matters because each unit needs the right settings for the vehicle it is installed in.
On these vehicles, a service software update was built from incorrect coding during the coding generation process. That wrong coding can conflict with some control units after the update is installed. Depending on which unit received the bad coding, the vehicle can lose the expected behavior of a safety-related system or report a failed update at the workshop.
There is no warning sign before failure. If the wrong coding is present, the problem comes from the installed software settings, not from a part you can hear, smell, or see wearing out.
Who's affected?
Covers Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 3500, and Metris vans across the 2013, 2014, and 2016 model years, all tied to electrical system software.
| 2014 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | electrical system software |
|---|---|
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris | electrical system software |
| 2013 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | electrical system software |
| 2013 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | electrical system software |
| 2014 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | electrical system software |
| Units affected | 3 |
| 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?
Improper software can affect electronic stability control, the air bag control unit, or engine management software. That raises the risk of a crash or injury in a crash. Schedule the software update and drive cautiously until the work is complete. Repair will be free at any franchised Freightliner dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013, 2014, or 2016 Freightliner Sprinter 2500, Metris, or Sprinter 3500 is included in this recall.
- Confirm whether the free software update is open for your VIN before scheduling dealer work.
- Contact a franchised Freightliner dealer about the control-unit software update that fixes the conflicting vehicle computer software.
- Bring the owner notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 17V272 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the software update is complete, especially if stability control, air bag, or engine-management warnings appear.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Freightliner technician will update the affected control units so the service software no longer conflicts with vehicle computers. The final dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the new vehicle warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, because the involved vehicles remained covered under that warranty. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| April 21, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 1, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V272?
Recall 17V272 covers 3 2013, 2014, and 2016 Freightliner Sprinter 2500, Metris, and Sprinter 3500 vehicles that received software updates that conflict with vehicle computers. The affected control units can create electronic stability control, air bag, or engine management problems.
What should I do if my 2013, 2014, or 2016 Freightliner Sprinter 2500, Metris, or Sprinter 3500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 17V272. If it is, contact a franchised Freightliner dealer and ask for the affected control unit software update. Reference recall number 17V272 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. For recall 17V272, Freightliner dealers will update the affected control units free of charge, including the parts and labor tied to the recall repair.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of proper control-unit behavior. The improper software can create problems in the electronic stability control system, air bag control unit, or engine management software, increasing crash risk or injury risk in a crash. The free dealer update is the repair path.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V272000 |
|---|---|
| Freightliner customer service | 1-877-762-8267 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V272 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V272000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - 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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →