Recall 21V513 covers 1,514 2021 Freightliner Sprinter 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and Metris vehicles. Free repair at franchised Freightliner dealers.
Freightliner is recalling 1,514 2021 Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 3500, Sprinter 4500, Sprinter 1500, and Metris vehicles equipped with Automatic Locking Retractor seat belt assemblies. The retractors can deactivate early and fail to hold a child restraint properly, which increases injury risk in a crash; Freightliner dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The automatic locking retractor is the part of the seat belt that locks the belt when it is used to secure a child restraint. When the child seat is installed with the seat belt instead of LATCH, the belt is pulled out, then fed back in. The retractor clicks as it locks the webbing, keeping the child restraint tight against the seat.
On affected 2021 Freightliner Sprinter 1500, Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 3500, Sprinter 4500, and Metris vehicles, a lever inside the seat belt assembly was made out of tolerance. That lever controls the child seat locking function. Because the lever is not shaped to specification, the automatic locking retractor can turn off before the webbing is fully retracted. If that happens, the belt does not secure the child restraint as intended.
The warning sign is in the sound of the belt. If the clicking stops well before the seat belt webbing is fully retracted, the locking function has stopped too early.
Who's affected?
Covers Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 3500, Sprinter 4500, Sprinter 1500, and Metris vans, all tied to the same seat belt part.
| 2021 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2021 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | seat belt |
| 2021 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | seat belt |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | seat belt |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | seat belt |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | seat belt |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 | seat belt |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 | seat belt |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 | seat belt |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500 | seat belt |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500 | seat belt |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500 | seat belt |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 | seat belt |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 | seat belt |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 | seat belt |
| 2021 Freightliner Sprinter 1500 | seat belt |
| 2021 Freightliner Sprinter 1500 | seat belt |
| 2021 Freightliner Sprinter 1500 | seat belt |
| 2021 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | seat belt |
| 2021 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | seat belt |
| 2021 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | seat belt |
| 2021 Freightliner Sprinter 4500 | seat belt |
| 2021 Freightliner Sprinter 4500 | seat belt |
| 2021 Freightliner Sprinter 4500 | seat belt |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Metris | seat belt |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Metris | seat belt |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Metris | seat belt |
| Units affected | 1,514 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no 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?
An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash. If you secure a child seat with the seat belt instead of LATCH, listen for the automatic locking retractor clicks ending before the belt webbing is fully retracted. Schedule the inspection soon. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021 Freightliner Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 3500, Sprinter 4500, Sprinter 1500, or Metris is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the free seat belt assembly inspection and replacement that fixes the early-deactivating automatic locking retractors.
- Bring the recall notice if Freightliner mailed one. If not, reference recall number 21V513 when you call.
- Avoid relying on the recalled automatic locking retractor for a child restraint until the repair is complete; ask the dealer how to position child seats safely before your appointment.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Freightliner technician inspects the seat belt assemblies with automatic locking retractors and replaces any assembly that fails the recall inspection. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. DVUSA has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for a related seat belt assembly repair before the recall notice. Bring repair orders and proof of payment to the service desk so the dealer can explain the claim process.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 7, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 20, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| September 20, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 27, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| September 27, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| December 21, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V513?
Recall 21V513 covers 1,514 2021 Freightliner Sprinter 1500, Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 3500, Sprinter 4500, and Metris vehicles with seat belt automatic locking retractors that can deactivate early. That can keep a child restraint from securing properly. Dealers will inspect and replace affected seat belt assemblies for free.
What should I do if my 2021 Freightliner Sprinter 1500, Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 3500, Sprinter 4500, or Metris is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 21V513. If it is, contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the seat belt inspection. The dealer will replace affected seat belt assemblies for free. Reference recall number 21V513 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair recalled safety defects at no cost. For recall 21V513, the dealer will inspect the seat belt assemblies and replace affected assemblies free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 21V513?
The risk is an unsecured child restraint during a crash. The automatic locking retractor is supposed to hold a child seat tightly after the belt is pulled into locking mode. If it deactivates early, the child restraint system can fail to stay secured, increasing injury risk in a crash.
What if I bought this vehicle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. If you never received the owner letter mailed on December 21, 2021, check your VIN and reference recall number 21V513 when you contact a franchised Freightliner dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V513000 |
|---|---|
| Freightliner customer service | 1-877-762-8267 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V513 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V513000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →