Recall 20V079 covers 4,385 2019 Freightliner Sprinter vehicles for an exhaust gas leak. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
Freightliner is recalling 4,385 2019 Sprinter 4500, Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 1500, and Sprinter 3500 vans because the flange connection between the exhaust gas turbocharger and diesel particulate filter can be improperly attached. The defect can let exhaust gas leak in the engine compartment, increasing fire risk, and the Freightliner dealer repair is free.
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What's wrong?
The exhaust system on the 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 1500, Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 3500, and Sprinter 4500 carries hot exhaust away from the engine and through the diesel particulate filter. That filter traps soot from diesel exhaust before the exhaust continues out of the vehicle. A flange connection joins the exhaust gas turbocharger outlet to the path into that filter, and it has to be tightened correctly to seal the joint.
On recalled Sprinter vans, that flange connection was not attached properly during production. The seal at the joint does not hold as designed, so hot exhaust gas escapes before it reaches the diesel particulate filter. The dealer repair replaces the flange seals and tightens the screw connection to the correct torque.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner is not expected to hear, see, or feel a clear early symptom before the exhaust leak develops.
Who's affected?
Covers four Sprinter van classes for the 2019 model year, all tied to the exhaust system.
| 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 4500 | Exhaust system |
|---|---|
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 | Exhaust system |
| 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 1500 | Exhaust system |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | Exhaust system |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500 | Exhaust system |
| 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | Exhaust system |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 | Exhaust system |
| 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | Exhaust system |
| Units affected | 4,385 |
A matching year and Sprinter model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific van is included.
What's the safety risk?
An exhaust gas leak in the engine compartment increases the risk of a fire. There is no warning sign before failure, so confirm whether your VIN is included and schedule the repair soon. The year and model are not enough. The VIN decides. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 1500, Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 3500, or Sprinter 4500 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the free flange-seal replacement and connection tightening that fixes the exhaust gas leak.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 20V079 when you call.
- Avoid unnecessary driving until the repair is complete because an exhaust gas leak in the engine compartment increases fire risk.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Freightliner technician replaces the flange seals at the connection between the exhaust gas turbocharger and the diesel particulate filter outlet, then tightens the connection to the proper specification. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Out of pocket repairs already paid are handled through the new vehicle warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, because the involved vehicles remain under warranty. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| February 12, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 20, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| March 20, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 27, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| April 10, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V079?
Recall 20V079 covers 4,385 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 1500, Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 3500, and Sprinter 4500 vans with an improperly attached exhaust flange connection. An exhaust gas leak in the engine compartment increases fire risk. Freightliner dealers replace the flange seals and tighten the connection for free.
What should I do if my 2019 Freightliner Sprinter is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific van is included in recall 20V079. If it is, contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the flange seal replacement and connection tightening. Reference recall number 20V079 and DVUSA recall number VS3FLABIND when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 20V079, a franchised Freightliner dealer replaces the flange seals and properly tightens the exhaust flange connection free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire. The exhaust flange connection between the turbocharger and diesel particulate filter exit was not attached properly, which allows an exhaust gas leak in the engine compartment. If your VIN is included, schedule the free dealer repair.
What if I bought my Freightliner 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 2019 Freightliner Sprinter is included, then contact a franchised Freightliner dealer with recall number 20V079.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V079000 |
|---|---|
| Freightliner customer service | 1-877-762-8267 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V079 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V079000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →