Recall 22V796 covers 124,305 2019-2022 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles for a parking pawl that can fail to engage. Repair is free at franchised Mercedes-Benz dealers.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 124,305 2019-2022 Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 1500, Sprinter 3500, and Sprinter 4500 vans with a manual parking brake and 7-speed automatic transmission because the parking pawl guide bushing can fatigue. If the pawl does not engage, the van can roll away and increase the risk of a crash; Mercedes-Benz dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The parking pawl is the transmission part that locks the driveline when the shifter is placed in Park. On 2019-2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500, Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 3500, and Sprinter 4500 vans with a manual parking brake and 7-speed automatic transmission, that lock works with the transmission control module and parking lock system to hold the van in place after parking.
In the affected vans, the guide bushing for the parking pawl wears from certain parking habits combined with the speed setting that allows the parking lock request. When that bushing is worn, the pawl does not always engage at the right moment. The van can then roll away after the driver selects Park, especially if the manual parking brake is not holding the vehicle.
The driver will not receive a warning because of how this failure happens. There is no warning sign before failure.
Who's affected?
Sprinter 1500, 2500, 3500, and 4500 vans share the same automatic transmission park pawl scope across 2019-2022.
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 | automatic transmission |
|---|---|
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 | automatic transmission |
| 2022 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | automatic transmission |
| 2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500 | automatic transmission |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500 | automatic transmission |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500 | automatic transmission |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500 | automatic transmission |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | automatic transmission |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 | automatic transmission |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | automatic transmission |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | automatic transmission |
| 2021 Freightliner Sprinter 1500 | automatic transmission |
| 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 1500 | automatic transmission |
| 2020 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | automatic transmission |
| 2021 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | automatic transmission |
| 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | automatic transmission |
| 2021 Freightliner Sprinter 4500 | automatic transmission |
| 2020 Freightliner Sprinter 4500 | automatic transmission |
| 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 4500 | automatic transmission |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 | automatic transmission |
| 2020 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | automatic transmission |
| 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | automatic transmission |
| 2021 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | automatic transmission |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 | automatic transmission |
| 2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 | automatic transmission |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 | automatic transmission |
| 2022 Freightliner Sprinter 1500 | automatic transmission |
| 2022 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | automatic transmission |
| 2022 Freightliner Sprinter 4500 | automatic transmission |
| 2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 | automatic transmission |
| 2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | automatic transmission |
| 2020 Freightliner Sprinter 1500 | automatic transmission |
| Units affected | 124,305 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific van is included.
What's the safety risk?
Vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash, and the driver will not receive a warning before the failure. Use the parking brake every time, choose level ground when parking, and schedule the software update soon. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019-2022 Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter 1500, Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 3500, or Sprinter 4500 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free control-unit software update that addresses the parking-pawl rollaway risk.
- Reference recall number 22V796 when you call, and ask whether Mercedes-Benz recall numbers 22V2790611, 22V2790612, or 22V2790613 apply to your van.
- Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz has mailed one, or bring your VIN and the recall number to the appointment.
- Set the parking brake every time you park until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician updates the control unit software for the electronic stability system, transmission control, direct select module, and electronic ignition switch. The software update is free under the recall, with parts and labor covered. If you have paid out of pocket for a related repair, ask the service desk how to use DVUSA's general reimbursement plan on file for documented expenses.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 21, 2022 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 12, 2022 | Dealer notification began |
| December 12, 2022 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 19, 2022 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| February 10, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 22V796?
Recall 22V796 covers 124,305 2019-2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vans with a manual parking brake and 7-speed automatic transmission. The parking pawl guide bushing can fatigue, leaving the pawl unable to engage and allowing vehicle rollaway.
What should I do if my 2019-2022 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 22V796. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the control-unit software updates. Reference recall 22V796 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Mercedes-Benz dealers will update the electronic stability, transmission control, direct select module, and electronic ignition switch control units free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 22V796?
The safety risk is vehicle rollaway, which increases crash risk. The defect involves the parking pawl inside the automatic transmission. If the pawl does not engage after the vehicle is parked, the van can move when the driver expects it to stay still.
When were owners notified about recall 22V796?
Mercedes-Benz mailed owner notification letters on February 10, 2023. If you bought the van used or never received a letter, the VIN still decides whether the free repair applies to your specific vehicle.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/22V796000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-877-762-8267 |
| NHTSA recall # | 22V796 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 22V796000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (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 →