Recall 22V131 affects 2,153 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans for an incorrectly installed torsion-bar shim. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 2,153 2021 Sprinter 4500, Sprinter 3500, Sprinter 2500, and Sprinter 1500 vans because the torsion bar shim was installed incorrectly during assembly. That connection can fail, reduce vehicle stability, and increase crash risk; Mercedes-Benz dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The front axle torsion bar linkage on the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500, Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 3500, and Sprinter 4500 is part of the front suspension. The torsion bar helps control suspension movement, and the linkage connects it to the front axle so the van rides and steers as designed. A small shim, which is a spacing washer, must sit in the correct place inside that bolted joint.
On these Sprinter vans, that shim was installed on the wrong side of the joint during assembly. It was placed between the nut and the torsion bar instead of between the ball stud and the torsion bar. That leaves the connection built differently from the design specification, so the torsion bar linkage connection is not clamped in the intended stack of parts.
A driver can notice metallic rattling from the affected bolt connection while driving. That noise is the warning sign to use when speaking with a Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Who's affected?
Covers four Sprinter weight classes with the same right torsion bar linkage in the front suspension.
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500 | front suspension |
|---|---|
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | front suspension |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 | front suspension |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 | front suspension |
| Units affected | 2,153 |
A matching 2021 Sprinter model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific van is included.
What's the safety risk?
An incorrectly assembled torsion bar can fail where the torsion bar connects to the linkage. That failure can reduce vehicle stability and increase the risk of a crash. Treat metallic rattling from the affected bolt connection while driving as a warning sign and schedule the repair soon. 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 shim correction and torsion-bar-linkage replacement that fixes the incorrectly assembled torsion bar.
- Bring the owner letter if you have it. If not, reference recall number 22V131 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and park safely if the van feels unstable before the appointment.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician corrects the shim position on the torsion bar and replaces the torsion bar linkages covered by recall 22V131. Parts and labor are free under the recall. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the new vehicle warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, because these vehicles remained under warranty. Ask the Mercedes-Benz service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| March 8, 2022 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 4, 2022 | Dealer notification began |
| April 4, 2022 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 11, 2022 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| August 16, 2022 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 22V131?
Recall 22V131 covers 2,153 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500, Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 3500, and Sprinter 4500 vehicles. The torsion bar shim was installed incorrectly, which can cause the torsion bar connection to fail, reduce vehicle stability, and increase crash risk.
What should I do if my 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500, Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 3500, or Sprinter 4500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific van is included in recall 22V131. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the repair. The dealer will correct the shim position and replace the torsion bar linkages for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 22V131, Mercedes-Benz dealers will correct the shim position and replace the torsion bar linkages free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of vehicle stability. If the incorrectly assembled torsion bar fails at the connection between the torsion bar and linkage, the van can become less stable and the risk of a crash increases. The dealer repair fixes the affected torsion bar assembly.
When were owners notified about recall 22V131?
Mercedes-Benz mailed owner notification letters on August 16, 2022. If you bought the van used or never received that letter, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2021 Sprinter is included, then reference recall 22V131 when you call the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/22V131000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-877-762-8267 |
| NHTSA recall # | 22V131 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 22V131000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (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 →