Recall 21V042 covers 48,667 2012-2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 vehicles for an ESC unit that can become disabled. Free repair at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer once available.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 48,667 2012-2018 Sprinter 3500 vehicles, including Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner vans upfitted as campers or recreational vehicles. The Electronic Stability Control unit can become disabled, which affects stability under certain driving conditions and raises crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once Mercedes-Benz opens it.
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What's wrong?
The rear wheel speed sensor on the 2012-2018 Sprinter 3500 reads how fast the rear wheel is turning and sends that signal to the Electronic Stability Control system. ESC uses that wheel-speed information to help keep the camper or recreational vehicle stable when braking, turning, or losing traction. The same signal also supports ABS braking functions.
On the affected Sprinter 3500 vehicles, moisture intrusion can interfere with the rear wheel speed sensor. When the sensor signal is no longer trusted, the system goes into a failsafe state and disables ESP control unit functions. That means the stability-control help the van is built to provide is no longer available until the fault is repaired.
Owners should see warning lights before this failure is hidden. The ESP or ABS lamp can appear in the instrument cluster, along with a text message telling the driver to get workshop assistance.
Who's affected?
Spans Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter 3500 vans across the 2012-2018 model years, all tied to the same rear wheel speed sensor and ESC control module.
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | Control module |
|---|---|
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | Control module |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | Control module |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | Control module |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | Control module |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | Control module |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | Control module |
| 2012 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | Control module |
| 2013 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | Control module |
| 2014 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | Control module |
| 2015 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | Control module |
| 2016 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | Control module |
| 2017 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | Control module |
| 2018 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | Control module |
| Units affected | 48,667 |
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?
If ESC becomes disabled, the vehicle has less electronic stability support under certain driving conditions, increasing crash risk. Watch for ESP or ABS warning lamps or a workshop-assistance message in the instrument cluster. If those warnings appear, slow down, avoid hard maneuvers, and contact a Mercedes-Benz dealer for service. Repair will be free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 is included in this recall.
- Wait for Mercedes-Benz repair instructions before scheduling the final dealer repair.
- Call Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-877-762-8267 with questions, and reference recall number 21V042 when you call.
- Ask a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer about the free rear-wheel speed sensor replacement that keeps the ESC unit from becoming disabled.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, since disabled ESC affects driving stability under certain conditions.
What happens at the repair
The final dealer repair is not open yet. Once Mercedes-Benz makes it available, a Mercedes-Benz technician will replace the rear-wheel speed sensor with an updated sensor at no charge. Parts and labor will be covered under the recall. DVUSA sent an interim owner notice on March 10, 2021, so keep that notice with your recall paperwork. If you already paid for a related rear-wheel speed sensor repair before the recall notice, ask Mercedes-Benz customer service or the service desk how to submit documentation under the manufacturer's reimbursement plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| February 3, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 15, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| February 15, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| February 22, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| August 20, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V042?
Recall 21V042 covers 48,667 2012-2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 and Freightliner Sprinter 3500 vehicles upfitted as campers or recreational vehicles. The ESC unit can become disabled, which can affect driving stability and increase crash risk. The dealer repair is a rear-wheel speed sensor replacement at no cost.
What should I do if my 2012-2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Sprinter 3500 is included in recall 21V042. If it is included, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and reference recall 21V042 or DVUSA recall number NC3DREZAHA. The repair path is a free rear-wheel speed sensor replacement once available.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 21V042, Mercedes-Benz dealers will replace the rear-wheel speed sensor free of charge once the repair is available for your VIN.
Is it safe to drive my Sprinter 3500 before the recall repair?
The official risk is loss of ESC support, which can affect driving stability under certain driving conditions and increase crash risk. This recall is not marked do-not-drive. If your VIN is included, ask the dealer whether your vehicle needs special handling before the sensor replacement is completed.
What if I bought my Sprinter 3500 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2012-2018 Sprinter 3500 is included, then call a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and reference recall 21V042.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V042000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-877-762-8267 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V042 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V042000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (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 →