Recall 23V204 affects 6,857 2019-2022 Freightliner Sprinter 1500, 2500, 3500, and 4500 vehicles for blank instrument panels. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
Freightliner is recalling 6,857 2019-2022 Sprinter 3500, Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 1500, and Sprinter 4500 vans because the instrument cluster can go blank when the vehicle starts. A blank panel leaves the driver without speed, fuel, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing crash risk; Freightliner dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The instrument cluster in 2019-2022 Freightliner Sprinter 1500, Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 3500, and Sprinter 4500 vans is the gauge panel in front of the driver. It displays the information the driver needs at startup and while driving, including vehicle status messages and warning lights. That display has to wake up correctly when the van is started.
On these Sprinter vans, the issue is in the instrument cluster software. Because of a development process deviation, the cluster processor is overloaded during vehicle startup. When that happens, the instrument cluster does not function and the driver gets a blank or nonworking display instead of the normal startup information.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first sign is the instrument cluster failing to display information when the van is started.
Who's affected?
Covers four Sprinter van classes across the 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 model years, all using the same instrument-panel software.
| 2020 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | instrument panel |
|---|---|
| 2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | instrument panel |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 | instrument panel |
| 2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 | instrument panel |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 | instrument panel |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 | instrument panel |
| 2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 | instrument panel |
| 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | instrument panel |
| 2021 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | instrument panel |
| 2020 Freightliner Sprinter 1500 | instrument panel |
| 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 1500 | instrument panel |
| 2021 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | instrument panel |
| 2021 Freightliner Sprinter 4500 | instrument panel |
| 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | instrument panel |
| 2020 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | instrument panel |
| 2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500 | instrument panel |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | instrument panel |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | instrument panel |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 | instrument panel |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 | instrument panel |
| 2021 Freightliner Sprinter 1500 | instrument panel |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | instrument panel |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500 | instrument panel |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500 | instrument panel |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500 | instrument panel |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 | instrument panel |
| 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 4500 | instrument panel |
| 2020 Freightliner Sprinter 4500 | instrument panel |
| Units affected | 6,857 |
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?
A blank instrument panel hides critical information, including vehicle speed, fuel level, warning messages, and warning lights. That increases crash risk because the driver loses information needed to judge speed and vehicle condition. There is no warning sign before the panel goes blank. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019-2022 Freightliner Sprinter 3500, Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 1500, or Sprinter 4500 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the free instrument-cluster software update that restores the display of speed, fuel, warning messages, and warning lights.
- Bring the recall notice if Freightliner mailed one. If not, reference recall number 23V204 when you call.
- Avoid driving with a blank instrument panel; contact the dealer if the display does not show speed, fuel, warning messages, or warning lights.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Freightliner technician updates the instrument cluster software on the affected Sprinter. The recall repair is free, so the software update and labor are covered. The update addresses the cluster display condition described in recall 23V204, where the cluster can show no information when the vehicle is started. DVUSA has a general reimbursement plan on file. If you already paid out of pocket for a related instrument cluster software repair before the recall work, ask Freightliner service how to submit documented expenses under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 24, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 24, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| April 24, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 1, 2023 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| May 1, 2023 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| May 5, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V204?
Recall 23V204 covers 6,857 2019-2022 Freightliner Sprinter 3500, Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 1500, and Sprinter 4500 vehicles with instrument cluster software that can leave the display blank at startup. Dealers will update the instrument cluster software for free.
What should I do if my 2019-2022 Freightliner Sprinter 3500, Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 1500, or Sprinter 4500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 23V204. If it is, contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the instrument cluster software update. Reference recall number 23V204 or Freightliner recall number VS3KOMBAUS when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and dealers will update the affected instrument cluster software free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for vehicles included in recall 23V204.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is that the instrument panel can stay blank when the vehicle starts. That means the driver loses visible speed, fuel, warning messages, and warning lights, which increases crash risk. The repair path is the free instrument cluster software update.
What if I bought my Freightliner Sprinter used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. If you never received the owner letter mailed May 5, 2023, check your VIN and give recall number 23V204 to a franchised Freightliner dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V204000 |
|---|---|
| Freightliner customer service | 1-877-762-8267 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V204 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V204000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (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 →