Recall 19V003 covers 71,301 2015-2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and Sprinter 3500 vehicles with driver air bag inflators. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 71,301 2015-2017 Sprinter 2500 and Sprinter 3500 vans because the driver frontal air bag inflator can explode during deployment after propellant degradation. In a crash, sharp metal fragments can strike the driver or other occupants, causing serious injury or death; Mercedes-Benz dealers will complete the free repair.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The driver frontal air bag inflator in 2015-2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 and Sprinter 2500 vehicles is the device that fills the driver air bag during a crash. When the crash sensors call for deployment, the inflator burns propellant to create gas and push the air bag out of the steering wheel.
In the affected vehicles, the Takata inflator propellant degrades after long exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature cycling. If the air bag deploys, the degraded propellant can burn too aggressively and create excessive pressure inside the inflator. That pressure can rupture the metal inflator body instead of sending gas into the air bag as designed.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is sealed inside the inflator, so the driver is not given a normal noise, warning light, or change in how the van drives before a crash deployment.
Who's affected?
Covers Sprinter 2500 and Sprinter 3500 vans across the 2015, 2016, and 2017 model years, all tied to the driver-side front air bag inflator module.
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2015 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | front air bag |
| 2016 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | front air bag |
| 2017 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | front air bag |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | front air bag |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 | front air bag |
| 2017 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | front air bag |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 | front air bag |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | front air bag |
| 2016 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | front air bag |
| 2015 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | front air bag |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 | front air bag |
| Units affected | 71,301 |
| 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?
A driver air bag inflator can explode during deployment and send sharp metal fragments into the driver or other occupants. That injury path includes serious injury or death. Because this involves the driver air bag, confirm your VIN and schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 or Sprinter 2500 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free driver air bag module replacement that addresses the inflator that can explode in a crash.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 19V003 when you call.
- Call Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-877-762-8267 with questions about the repair.
- Keep using seat belts until the repair is complete; the recall involves the driver frontal air bag during a crash deployment.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician replaces the front driver air bag module, which includes the driver frontal air bag inflator covered by recall 19V003. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. If you already paid for the same driver air bag module repair before the owner letter, follow the reimbursement instructions in the Mercedes-Benz customer letter and keep your repair invoice and payment proof with your claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 8, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 15, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
| March 22, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| March 22, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 29, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V003?
Recall 19V003 covers 71,301 2015-2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and Sprinter 3500 vehicles with driver frontal air bag inflators that can explode during deployment after long-term humidity and temperature exposure. Mercedes-Benz dealers will replace the front driver air bag module for free.
What should I do if my 2015-2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 or Sprinter 3500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific van is included in recall 19V003. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the front driver air bag module replacement. Reference recall number 19V003 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, and Mercedes-Benz dealers will replace the front driver air bag module free of charge. Mercedes-Benz customer service is available at 1-877-762-8267.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is a driver air bag inflator explosion during a crash that requires air bag deployment. Sharp metal fragments can strike the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. The free repair replaces the affected front driver air bag module.
What if I bought this Sprinter used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2015-2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 or Sprinter 3500 is included, then call a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer with recall number 19V003.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V003000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-877-762-8267 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V003 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V003000 |
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 →