Recall 21V152 covers 56,534 2019-2020 Freightliner Sprinter 1500, 2500, 3500, and 4500 vehicles for loose brake-pedal hardware. Free repair at franchised Freightliner dealer once available.
Freightliner is recalling 56,534 2019-2020 Sprinter 1500, Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 3500, and Sprinter 4500 vans because the brake pedal retaining washer and bolt can loosen and detach. The brake lights can stay on when the pedal is released, increasing crash risk, and the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The brake pedal and bearing block on 2019-2020 Freightliner Sprinter 1500, Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 3500, and Sprinter 4500 vans are part of the pedal linkage. The bearing block is the pivot support for the pedal. A retaining washer and bolt hold the pedal to that support so the pedal moves in a controlled arc and returns to its normal position. The brake light switch also depends on that pedal position to turn the rear brake lights on and off.
On affected Sprinters, the retaining washer on the brake pedal bolt can come loose. Once the washer is out of place, the bolt can slide out of one side of the bearing block. That movement can leave the brake light switch permanently activated, so the brake lights stay on even when your foot is off the pedal.
The driver can feel the warning sign after the bolt has slipped on one side. When pressing the pedal, it feels like the pedal is moving in a circular path instead of straight through its normal travel.
Who's affected?
Sprinter 1500, 2500, 3500, and 4500 vans from both model years share the same hydraulic brake pedal linkage component.
| 2020 Freightliner Sprinter 1500 | hydraulic brake system |
|---|---|
| 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | hydraulic brake system |
| 2020 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | hydraulic brake system |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 | hydraulic brake system |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 | hydraulic brake system |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 | hydraulic brake system |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500 | hydraulic brake system |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500 | hydraulic brake system |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | hydraulic brake system |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | hydraulic brake system |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 | hydraulic brake system |
| 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 4500 | hydraulic brake system |
| 2020 Freightliner Sprinter 4500 | hydraulic brake system |
| 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | hydraulic brake system |
| 2020 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | hydraulic brake system |
| 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 1500 | hydraulic brake system |
| Units affected | 56,534 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 3 field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific van.
What's the safety risk?
When the brake pedal hardware shifts, the brake lights can stop showing other drivers that you are braking, increasing crash risk. If the pedal feels like it moves in a circular path, schedule service and drive cautiously until the dealer inspects it. Repair will be free at any franchised Freightliner dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019-2020 Freightliner Sprinter 1500, Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 3500, or Sprinter 4500 is included in this recall.
- Review the owner notice Freightliner mailed on June 4, 2021 before scheduling the final repair.
- Contact a franchised Freightliner dealer and ask when the free brake-pedal retaining-ring repair is available for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 21V152 and Freightliner recall VS3BREBOL when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Brake lights that stay illuminated fail to show other drivers when you are braking.
What happens at the repair
The final dealer repair is still listed as under development, so do not assume it can be completed today. Once the repair opens, a Freightliner technician will secure the brake pedal bearing bracket by adding the specified retaining ring at the brake pedal bracket. Parts and labor will be free under recall 21V152. DVUSA has a general reimbursement plan on file for related out of pocket repairs already paid before the recall notice. Keep repair paperwork and ask Freightliner customer service how to submit documentation under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 10, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 12, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| April 12, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 19, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| June 4, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V152?
Recall 21V152 covers 56,534 2019-2020 Freightliner Sprinter vans with a brake-pedal linkage issue. The retaining washer and bolt at the brake pedal bearing block can loosen and detach, leaving the brake lights illuminated when the pedal is not pressed and increasing crash risk.
What should I do if my 2019-2020 Freightliner Sprinter is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific van is included in recall 21V152. If it is, contact a franchised Freightliner dealer and reference recall 21V152 or Daimler Vans recall VS3BREBOL. Ask when the retaining-ring repair is available and whether any interim guidance applies.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Daimler Vans says dealers will add the retaining ring at the brake pedal bearing bracket free of charge once the repair is open.
What is the safety risk with recall 21V152?
The safety risk is confusing brake-light behavior. If the brake lights stay on when the driver is not pressing the pedal, other motorists do not get a clear signal about the driver's intent, which increases crash risk.
When were owners notified about recall 21V152?
Daimler Vans issued an interim owner notification on May 3, 2021. Because interim notices do not complete the repair process, check your VIN and contact a franchised Freightliner dealer for the current repair path for recall 21V152.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V152000 |
|---|---|
| Freightliner customer service | 1-877-762-8267 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V152 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V152000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (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 →