Recall 18V288 affects 153 2017 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 and Sprinter 2500 vehicles for missing A-pillar spot welds. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
Freightliner is recalling 153 2017 Sprinter 3500 and Sprinter 2500 vans because spot welds on the front side wall were missing where the door portal connects to A-pillar hinge reinforcements. If those welds reduce body strength, injury risk is higher in a crash, and Freightliner dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The front side wall is part of the van body around the front door opening. On the 2017 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and Sprinter 3500, spot welds are supposed to tie that door portal to the hinge reinforcements in the A-pillar area, the upright section beside the windshield, and to reinforcement near the B-pillar, the post behind the front door. Those welds help the body shell carry load and keep its designed strength in a crash.
On included vans, a programming error in the welding robots left required spot welds unset on the front side wall. That means the connection between the door opening and the reinforcement underneath is not ensured on the driver and passenger sides. The metal panels can still look normal from the outside, but the structure does not have the weld pattern Freightliner intended.
There is no warning sign before failure. Owners should not expect a dashboard light, noise, or visible body-panel change to show that the welds are missing.
Who's affected?
Covers the Sprinter 2500 and Sprinter 3500, both tied to the same body structure component.
| 2017 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | body structure |
|---|---|
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | body structure |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 | body structure |
| 2017 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | body structure |
| Units affected | 153 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific van.
What's the safety risk?
Missing spot welds in the body structure can reduce body strength. When that happens, crash protection is lower and injury risk rises in a crash. Schedule the inspection and weld repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 or Sprinter 2500 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the free inspection and spot-weld repair for the A-pillar/front side wall connection.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 18V288 when you call.
- Avoid delaying the inspection because missing welds can affect body strength in a crash.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Freightliner technician inspects the front side wall near the A-pillar, where the door portal connects to the hinge reinforcements, and adds any missing spot welds. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the new vehicle warranty, not through a separate reimbursement notice or reimbursement program, because all involved vehicles remain under that warranty. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| May 3, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 28, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| June 28, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 29, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| July 2, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V288?
Recall 18V288 covers 153 2017 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 and Sprinter 2500 vans with missing spot welds on the front side wall near the A-pillar. The defect can affect body strength in a crash and increase injury risk. Freightliner dealers will inspect and add missing spot welds for free.
What should I do if my 2017 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 or Sprinter 2500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific van is included in recall 18V288. If it is, contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the inspection and spot-weld repair. Reference recall number 18V288 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost. Freightliner dealers will inspect the affected A-pillar area and add any missing spot welds free of charge, including parts and labor.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced body strength during a crash. If the missing spot welds affect the front side wall and A-pillar structure, the van offers less crash protection in that area, increasing injury risk. The repair adds the missing welds.
What if I bought this Freightliner Sprinter used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your van is included, then call a franchised Freightliner dealer and reference recall number 18V288.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V288000 |
|---|---|
| Freightliner customer service | 1-877-762-8267 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V288 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V288000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (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 →