Recall 18V032 affects 17,413 2013 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 and Sprinter 2500 for passenger air bag inflator rupture. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
Freightliner is recalling 17,413 2013 Sprinter 3500 and Sprinter 2500 vans because the passenger frontal air bag inflator can explode after long-term humidity and temperature exposure. In a crash where that air bag deploys, sharp metal fragments can strike occupants and cause serious injury or death; Freightliner dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The passenger frontal air bag inflator in the 2013 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 and Sprinter 2500 is the metal device inside the passenger air bag module that fills the bag during a crash. When the crash sensors call for deployment, the inflator burns propellant to create gas fast enough to inflate the air bag before the passenger moves forward.
On affected Sprinter vans, the Takata inflator propellant can break down after long-term exposure to high humidity, heat, and repeated temperature cycling. If the passenger air bag deploys after that degradation, the propellant can burn too aggressively. That creates excessive pressure inside the inflator body and can make the metal inflator rupture instead of only filling the air bag.
There is no warning sign before failure. The air bag light, normal driving feel, and routine operation do not tell an owner that the inflator has degraded.
Who's affected?
Sprinter 3500 and Sprinter 2500 vans are covered for the same passenger-side front air bag inflator module.
| 2013 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2013 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | front air bag |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | front air bag |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 | front air bag |
| Units affected | 17,413 |
| 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?
A front passenger air bag inflator explosion can send sharp metal fragments into the driver or other occupants, causing serious injury or death. Use the vehicle with caution and schedule the air bag module replacement promptly if your VIN is included. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 or Sprinter 2500 is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the free front passenger air bag module replacement that removes the defective inflator.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 18V032 when you call.
- Ask the dealer whether to avoid the front passenger seat until the module is replaced.
- Call Freightliner customer service at 1-877-762-8267 with questions about scheduling or recall paperwork.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Freightliner technician replaces the front passenger air bag module covered by recall 18V032. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. The customer letter includes the pre-notice reimbursement instructions. If you already paid for a related passenger air bag module repair before that letter, use those instructions to submit the claim paperwork and keep copies of your repair order and proof of payment.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 9, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 28, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V032?
Recall 18V032 covers 17,413 2013 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and Sprinter 3500 vans with passenger frontal air bag inflators that can explode during deployment after long-term heat and humidity exposure. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag module for free.
What should I do if my 2013 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 or Sprinter 3500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific van is included in recall 18V032. If it is, contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the front passenger air bag module replacement. Reference recall number 18V032 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and the remedy for recall 18V032 is a free replacement of the front passenger air bag module at a franchised Freightliner dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is serious injury or death during a crash that deploys the passenger frontal air bag. The inflator can explode and send sharp metal fragments toward the driver or other occupants. The dealer repair replaces the affected module for free.
What if I bought my Sprinter used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2013 Sprinter is included, then call a franchised Freightliner dealer and reference recall 18V032.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V032000 |
|---|---|
| Freightliner customer service | 1-877-762-8267 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V032 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V032000 |
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 →