Recall 21V779 affects 38 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans for starter-generator wiring chafe and fire risk. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 38 2021 Sprinter 1500, Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 3500, and Sprinter 4500 vans because a battery-case cable duct can drop out of place and let the starter-generator wiring harness rub against the transmission carrier. That chafing can cause an electrical short and increase the risk of fire, and Mercedes-Benz dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The wiring harness on these 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans carries electrical power and signals through the underbody. It sits inside a cable duct, which is a protective channel that holds the wires in place and keeps them away from nearby metal parts such as the transmission carrier. That spacing matters because the harness insulation has to stay intact.
On affected Sprinter 1500, Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 3500, and Sprinter 4500 vans, the engagement hooks inside the battery case were not correctly latched. When those hooks do not hold the cable duct, the duct drops out of position and lets the starter-generator wiring harness rub against the transmission carrier. That rubbing can wear through the insulation and create an electrical short circuit.
There is no warning sign before failure. Mercedes-Benz found that the way this cable duct moves out of place does not give the driver an advance symptom to notice.
Who's affected?
The scope spans Sprinter 1500, 2500, 3500, and 4500 vans from the same model year, all tied to the wiring harness.
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 | wiring |
|---|---|
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 | wiring |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | wiring |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500 | wiring |
| Units affected | 38 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific van is included.
What's the safety risk?
An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire. There is no warning sign before the short occurs, so treat this as a repair to schedule soon and avoid ignoring recall notices or dealer outreach. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500, Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 3500, or Sprinter 4500 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free cable-duct hook repair that keeps the starter-generator wiring harness from chafing against the transmission carrier.
- Bring the owner letter Mercedes-Benz mailed on November 2, 2021, or reference recall number 21V779 when you call.
- Call Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-877-762-8267 with questions about the Sprinter recall.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician replaces the engagement hooks on the affected cable duct with expanding rivets. The technician secures the duct so the starter-generator wiring harness stays clear of the transmission carrier. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the new vehicle warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, since all involved vehicles are covered by that warranty. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| October 6, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 27, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| October 27, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 2, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
| November 3, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V779?
Recall 21V779 covers 38 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500, Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 3500, and Sprinter 4500 vans. A cable duct inside the battery case can drop out of place, letting the starter-generator wiring harness chafe against the transmission carrier and short. Dealers replace the engagement hooks with expanding rivets for free.
What should I do if my 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific van is included in recall 21V779. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the cable duct engagement hook repair. Reference DVUSA recall number VS3KABKAN when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost to owners. Mercedes-Benz dealers will replace the engagement hooks on the affected cable duct with expanding rivets free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire. If the starter-generator wiring harness chafes against the transmission carrier, an electrical short can occur and increase the risk of a fire. The dealer repair secures the cable duct by replacing the engagement hooks with expanding rivets.
What if I bought my Mercedes-Benz 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 contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and reference recall 21V779 or DVUSA recall number VS3KABKAN.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V779000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-877-762-8267 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V779 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V779000 |
Source documents
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 →