Recall 17V480 covers 17,609 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans for passenger air bag inflator rupture. Repair will be free at franchised Mercedes-Benz dealers once available.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 17,609 2012 Sprinter 3500 and Sprinter 2500 vans because the passenger frontal air bag inflator can rupture during crash deployment after long-term propellant degradation. Metal fragments can strike occupants and cause serious injury or death; the dealer repair will be free once Mercedes-Benz opens the remedy.
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What's wrong?
The passenger frontal air bag inflator in the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 and Sprinter 2500 is the metal canister inside the passenger air bag module. When a crash triggers the passenger frontal air bag, the inflator burns propellant to create gas that fills the air bag in front of the passenger.
On affected Sprinters, the Takata inflator propellant degrades over time after long exposure to moisture in the air, high temperatures, and repeated temperature changes. If the air bag deploys after that degradation, the propellant burn is too aggressive and pressure builds inside the inflator body. That pressure can rupture the inflator and send metal fragments into the cabin.
There is no warning sign before failure. The van can start, drive, and show no air bag warning light tied to this defect before a crash deployment reveals the problem.
Who's affected?
Covers both Sprinter 2500 and Sprinter 3500 vans, with the same front passenger air bag inflator module involved.
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2012 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | front air bag |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 | front air bag |
| 2012 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | front air bag |
| Units affected | 17,609 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching 2012 Sprinter 2500 or Sprinter 3500 does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific van is included.
What's the safety risk?
A front passenger air bag inflator rupture can send metal fragments into the cabin and strike occupants, which can cause serious injury or death. Confirm whether your VIN is included and avoid using the front passenger seat until you have dealer guidance. Repair will be free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 or Sprinter 2500 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and ask whether the passenger-side air bag inflator replacement is open for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 17V480 when you call, and mention that this recall supersedes recall 17V-025.
- Keep passengers out of the front passenger seat until the air bag inflator is replaced.
- Bring the owner letter if you have it; the dealer repair is free once the remedy is open for your VIN.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician will replace the front passenger side air bag covered by this recall. The final dealer repair will be free once available; parts and labor are covered under the recall. If you've already paid for a related passenger air bag repair, use the manufacturer's reimbursement plan and provide documentation of the paid repair. Contact Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-877-762-8267 for the claim process.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| February 5, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
|---|---|
| July 28, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
| January 12, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V480?
Recall 17V480 covers 17,609 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and Sprinter 3500 vans with passenger frontal air bag inflators that can rupture during deployment. Metal fragments can strike occupants, causing serious injury or death. Mercedes-Benz dealers replace the front passenger side air bag for free.
What should I do if my 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 or Sprinter 3500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific van is included in recall 17V480. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and ask for the free front passenger side air bag replacement. Reference recall number 17V480 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost. For recall 17V480, Mercedes-Benz dealers replace the front passenger side air bag free of charge, including parts and labor.
What is the safety risk in recall 17V480?
The safety risk is serious injury or death from metal fragments during an air bag deployment. The defect involves the passenger frontal air bag inflator, which can rupture in a crash after long-term propellant degradation. The repair path is the free passenger air bag replacement at a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What if I bought my Sprinter used?
The free recall 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 Mercedes-Benz dealer and reference recall number 17V480.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V480000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-877-762-8267 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V480 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V480000 |
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 →