Recall 20V181 covers 48,791 2019 Freightliner Sprinter vans for brake-hose chafing from the front fender liner. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
Freightliner is recalling 48,791 2019 Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 1500, Sprinter 3500, Sprinter 4500, and Sprinter (VS30) vans because the front fender liner can rub the brake hose and cause brake-fluid loss. Longer stopping distance raises crash risk, and Freightliner dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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 front axle fender liner on the 2019 Freightliner Sprinter is the shield inside the wheel housing. It helps block road spray and debris from the tire area, while the nearby brake hose carries pressurized brake fluid to the front brake assembly when you press the pedal.
On these Sprinter vans, the rear part of the fender liner on the front axle was deformed or installed with too little clearance. That leaves the liner close enough to rub the brake hose during normal wheel and suspension movement. Over time, that rubbing can wear through the hose and let brake fluid leak out.
The warning sign is the red brake fluid warning indicator on the dash. If that light appears, the brake fluid level has dropped and continued driving lets the system lose the fluid it needs to apply the brakes.
Who's affected?
Covers five Sprinter configurations in 2019; the right-hand front fender liner is tied to both body structure and brake system concerns.
| 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | body structure |
|---|---|
| 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | brake system |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 | body structure |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 | brake system |
| 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 1500 | body structure |
| 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 1500 | brake system |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500 | body structure |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500 | brake system |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (VS30) | body structure |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (VS30) | brake system |
| 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | body structure |
| 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | brake system |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | body structure |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | brake system |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 | body structure |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 | brake system |
| 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 4500 | body structure |
| 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 4500 | brake system |
| Units affected | 48,791 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident 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?
Brake fluid loss lengthens stopping distance and increases crash risk. Treat any brake fluid warning indicator as a reason to park and call the dealer. Continuing after the warning light can let the fluid run dry. The dealer will inspect and replace brake hoses as needed, then modify the fender liners. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 1500, Sprinter 4500, Sprinter (VS30), or Sprinter 3500 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Freightliner Sprinter dealer to schedule the free inspection, brake-hose replacement if needed, and fender-liner modification that stops the liner from chafing the brake hose.
- Reference recall number 20V181 when you call, and bring the recall notice if you have it.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra following distance and avoid hard braking.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Freightliner technician inspects the front axle brake hoses for chafing, replaces any brake hose that needs replacement, and modifies the fender liners so they no longer contact the hoses. Parts and labor are free under the recall. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the existing new vehicle warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, since 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
| March 25, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 1, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| May 1, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 8, 2020 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| May 8, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| May 22, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V181?
Recall 20V181 covers 48,791 2019 Freightliner Sprinter vehicles where the rear part of the front-axle fender liner can contact and chafe a brake hose. Loss of brake fluid can increase stopping distance and crash risk. Freightliner dealers will inspect the brake hoses, replace them as needed, and modify the fender liners 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 20V181. If it is, contact a franchised Freightliner Sprinter dealer to schedule the brake-hose inspection and fender-liner modification. Reference recall number 20V181 or Freightliner's recall number VS3BRADVER when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and DVUSA says all services for recall 20V181 are free. The dealer will inspect and replace the brake hoses as needed, then modify the fender liners.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is longer stopping distance from brake fluid loss. If the fender liner chafes the brake hose, the hose can leak brake fluid and reduce braking performance. If your VIN is included, arrange the free dealer repair before relying on the van for regular use.
What if I bought my 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 Sprinter is included, then call a franchised Freightliner Sprinter dealer and reference recall 20V181.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V181000 |
|---|---|
| Freightliner customer service | 1-877-762-8267 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V181 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V181000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (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 →