Recall 20V156 covers 332 2018-2019 Freightliner Sprinter 1500, 2500, 3500, and 4500 vehicles missing spare-tire speed label. Repair is free at a franchised Freightliner dealer.
Freightliner is recalling 332 2018-2019 Sprinter 1500, Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 3500, and Sprinter 4500 vans because the spare tire label with the tire's maximum speed was not affixed. Without that label, a driver can exceed the spare tire's speed limit, increasing the risk of tire failure and a crash; Freightliner dealers will add the label free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The spare tire label on 2018-2019 Freightliner Sprinter 1500, Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 3500, and Sprinter 4500 vans is the information sticker that tells the driver the maximum speed allowed when the spare wheel is installed. A spare tire is meant to get the van to service after a flat, not to be treated like the regular wheel and tire. The speed label gives the owner and service shop that limit before the van goes back on the road.
On affected Sprinter vans, the spare wheel left production without that speed limitation label attached. The spare itself is not described as the broken part in this recall. The problem is missing safety information: without the sticker, a driver can install the spare and drive without seeing the tire's speed limit.
There is no warning sign before failure. The thing to look for is simple: the spare wheel lacks the speed limitation label that a Freightliner dealer will attach during the recall repair.
Who's affected?
Covers Sprinter 1500, 2500, 3500, and 4500 vans across the 2018-2019 model years, all tied to the vehicle label placard.
| 2018 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
|---|---|
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2018 Freightliner Sprinter 4500 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 4500 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2018 Freightliner Sprinter 1500 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2018 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 1500 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| Units affected | 332 |
A matching model year and Sprinter model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific van is included.
What's the safety risk?
In recall 20V156, a missing spare tire speed label can leave the operator unaware of the spare tire's maximum speed limit. Driving above that limit increases the risk of tire failure and a crash. If you use the spare tire before repair, confirm its speed limit before driving. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2019 Freightliner Sprinter 3500, Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 4500, or Sprinter 1500 is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the free spare-wheel speed-limit label installation.
- Bring the recall notice if Freightliner mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V156 when you call.
- Limit spare-tire use until the label is installed, and ask the dealer what speed applies before driving on the spare.
- Call Freightliner customer service at 1-877-762-8267 with questions.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Freightliner technician attaches the required speed limitation label to the spare wheel. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the existing 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 for the spare wheel label issue.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| March 18, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 24, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| April 24, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 1, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| May 15, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V156?
Recall 20V156 covers 332 2018-2019 Freightliner Sprinter 1500, Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 3500, and Sprinter 4500 vans with a missing spare tire speed-limit label. Without that label, a driver can exceed the spare tire's speed limit, increasing the risk of tire failure and a crash.
What should I do if my 2018-2019 Freightliner Sprinter 1500, Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 3500, or Sprinter 4500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific van is included in recall 20V156. If it is, contact a franchised Freightliner Sprinter dealer and ask for the spare wheel speed limitation label to be attached. Reference recall number 20V156 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Freightliner Sprinter dealers will attach the missing speed limitation label on the spare wheel for free under recall 20V156.
Is it safe to drive with the missing spare tire label?
The recall risk applies when the spare tire is used without clear speed-limit information. If your VIN is included, ask the dealer for the free label repair before relying on the spare wheel, and follow the spare tire speed limit shown once the label is installed.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V156000 |
|---|---|
| Freightliner customer service | 1-877-762-8267 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V156 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V156000 |
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 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →