Recall 19V070 affects 4,358 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (VS30) vans for steering shaft separation. Do not drive. Free repair at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
The steering shaft can disconnect from the steering gear, causing a sudden loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before failure. Do not drive the vehicle, even for short trips. Ask the dealer about towing. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 4,358 2019 Sprinter (VS30) vehicles under recall 19V070 because the steering shaft can disconnect from the steering gear without warning. Do not drive an affected van until a Mercedes-Benz dealer completes the free repair, since a sudden steering loss increases the risk of a crash.
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 steering shaft on the 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (VS30) links the steering wheel to the steering gear. When you turn the wheel, the shaft carries that movement down to the gear, which then moves the front wheels. A bolt at the steering gear end holds that connection tight, so the shaft stays seated while the van is steered.
On affected Sprinter (VS30) vans, the production check looked at the wrong bolt after the VS30 production process changed. That left the steering shaft bolt with improper torque, meaning it was not tightened to the required specification. If that connection loosens, the steering shaft can separate from the steering gear and the driver loses steering control.
There is no warning sign before failure. The Mercedes-Benz filing says the steering shaft can disconnect without warning, so do not drive a van whose VIN is included until Mercedes-Benz inspects the connection.
Who's affected?
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (VS30) | steering gear |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 4,358 |
Not every 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (VS30) van is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific van is included.
What's the safety risk?
The steering shaft can disconnect from the steering gear, causing a sudden loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before failure. Do not drive the vehicle, even for short trips. Ask the dealer about towing. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (VS30) is included in this recall.
- Do not drive the van until the steering-shaft bolt repair is complete.
- Arrange a tow if the van has to be moved to the dealer; do not drive it there yourself.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free steering-shaft bolt inspection and tightening that keeps the steering shaft connected to the steering gear.
- Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one. If not, reference recall number 19V070 when you call.
- Call Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-800-367-6372 with questions about the free dealer repair.
What happens at the repair
Mercedes-Benz advises owners to stop driving the vehicle immediately, so do not drive the van to the dealer. Call the service desk and ask how they want the vehicle moved. At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician inspects the bolts connecting the steering shaft to the steering gear, then fully tightens or adjusts them if needed. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the new vehicle warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| January 31, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 31, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| January 31, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 31, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| February 15, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V070?
Recall 19V070 covers 4,358 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (VS30) vans with steering shaft bolts that can allow the shaft to disconnect from the steering gear without warning. A disconnect can cause sudden loss of steering control and increase crash risk. Do not drive until a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer completes the free repair.
What should I do if my 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (VS30) is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific van is included in recall 19V070. If it is included, do not drive it to the dealer. Call a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer, reference recall 19V070, and ask about towing so the steering shaft bolts can be inspected and corrected for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. A franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer will inspect the bolts connecting the steering shaft to the steering gear, then tighten or adjust them as needed free of charge.
What does 'do not drive' mean for this Sprinter recall?
Do not drive the van until the recall repair is complete. The steering shaft can disconnect from the steering gear without warning, which can cause sudden loss of steering control. If the van needs to move, ask a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer about towing.
What warning signs should I watch for?
There is no warning sign before failure in recall 19V070. The steering shaft can disconnect from the steering gear without advance notice. Treat the VIN result as the deciding factor, and keep the van parked until the dealer completes the free inspection and repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V070000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V070 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V070000 |
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 →