Recall 17V479 covers 20,665 2010-2011 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and Sprinter 3500 vehicles for rupturing passenger air bag inflators. Free repair at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
Freightliner is recalling 20,665 2010-2011 Sprinter 2500 and Sprinter 3500 vans under recall 17V479 because the passenger frontal air bag inflator can rupture after long-term exposure to humidity and temperature cycling. In a crash, metal fragments can strike occupants and cause serious injury or death; Freightliner dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The passenger frontal air bag inflator in 2010-2011 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and Sprinter 3500 vehicles is the metal gas generator inside the passenger air bag module. In a crash that calls for passenger air bag deployment, the inflator burns propellant to produce gas and fill the air bag fast enough to cushion the passenger.
The problem is inside certain Takata inflators. Over years of exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and repeated temperature cycling, the propellant wafers degrade. If the passenger air bag is activated after that degradation, combustion becomes too aggressive, pressure inside the inflator rises too high, and the inflator body ruptures instead of directing gas into the air bag as designed.
Owners will not feel this problem while driving because the part only operates during a crash deployment. There is no warning sign before failure.
Who's affected?
The scope spans both Sprinter model lines across 2010 and 2011, with each listing tied to the passenger-side front air bag inflator.
| 2011 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2011 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | front air bag |
| 2010 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | front air bag |
| 2010 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | front air bag |
| 2010 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | front air bag |
| 2011 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | front air bag |
| 2010 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 | front air bag |
| 2011 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 | front air bag |
| Units affected | 20,665 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific van is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the front passenger air bag inflator ruptures, metal fragments can strike occupants and cause serious injury or death. There is no warning sign before failure, so confirm whether your VIN is included and schedule the air bag replacement promptly. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2010-2011 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 or Sprinter 3500 is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the free passenger side air bag replacement that addresses the inflator rupture risk.
- Reference recall number 17V479 when you call, and ask whether the partial supersession of recall 16V-379 affects prior service on the van.
- Bring the recall notice and any prior passenger air bag repair paperwork to the dealer appointment.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Freightliner technician replaces the front passenger side air bag covered by recall 17V479. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. If you already paid for this passenger air bag repair before the recall work, ask DVUSA customer service about the general reimbursement plan on file and have your repair documentation ready. The service desk can connect that paperwork to the campaign.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 5, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| July 28, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
| January 12, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V479?
Recall 17V479 covers 20,665 2010-2011 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and Sprinter 3500 vans with passenger frontal air bag inflators that can rupture during deployment. Metal fragments can strike occupants and cause serious injury or death. Dealers replace the front passenger side air bag for free.
What should I do if my 2010-2011 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 or Sprinter 3500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific van is included in recall 17V479. If it is, contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the front passenger side air bag replacement. Reference recall 17V479 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 17V479, a franchised Freightliner dealer replaces the front passenger side air bag free of charge, with parts and labor covered.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is metal-fragment injury during a crash that deploys the passenger frontal air bag. The inflator can rupture after long-term exposure to humidity and temperature cycling. If your VIN is included, schedule the free air bag replacement before carrying a front passenger.
What if I bought this Sprinter used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the original owner. If you did not receive the owner letter, check your VIN, then contact a franchised Freightliner dealer and reference recall 17V479 when you schedule the repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V479000 |
|---|---|
| Freightliner customer service | 1-877-762-8267 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V479 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V479000 |
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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →