Recall 23V806 affects 131 2021-2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans for underbonded windows and interior lashing rails. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 131 2021-2023 Sprinter vans, including Sprinter 1500, Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 3500, and Sprinter 4500 models, because the topcoat paint formula can leave windows and interior lashing rails insufficiently bonded. A window or secured cargo can detach during a crash and increase injury risk; the Mercedes-Benz dealer repair is free.
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What's wrong?
The topcoat paint on 2021-2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500, Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 3500, and Sprinter 4500 vans is the outer paint layer on the body. It gives the van its Brilliant Blue finish and also provides the surface that fixed windows and interior lashing rails bond to. Those parts rely on a firm connection between adhesive, paint, and body structure.
On included vans, certain Brilliant Blue paint batches did not meet the required composition. That paint can have poor adhesion, so the bonded parts do not hold to the body as designed. The issue is in the paint surface, not the glass or rail itself.
There is no dashboard warning before the bond starts to fail. Once the issue appears, owners can notice wind noise while driving or water entering around the fixed windows.
Who's affected?
Covers Sprinter 1500, Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 3500, and Sprinter 4500 vans from 2021-2023, all tied to Brilliant Blue paint on the body structure.
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 | body structure |
|---|---|
| 2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 | body structure |
| 2021 Freightliner Sprinter 4500 | body structure |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 | body structure |
| 2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | body structure |
| 2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 | body structure |
| 2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | body structure |
| 2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 | body structure |
| 2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500 | body structure |
| 2021 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | body structure |
| 2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 | body structure |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | body structure |
| 2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500 | body structure |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500 | body structure |
| 2021 Freightliner Sprinter 1500 | body structure |
| 2021 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | body structure |
| Units affected | 131 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and Sprinter model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific van is included.
What's the safety risk?
If a window is not bonded well enough, it can detach during a crash. Items tied to an interior lashing rail with the same bonding problem can also come loose, increasing injury risk. There is no warning sign before failure, so treat wind noise or water around fixed windows as a reason to schedule service soon. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021-2023 Sprinter 1500, Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 3500, or Sprinter 4500 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free paint-adhesion inspection and repair that secures affected windows and interior lashing rails.
- Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 23V806 when you call.
- Avoid adding load to the interior lashing rails until the inspection and repair are complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician inspects the paint adhesion where the windows and interior lashing rails bond to the van, then repairs the affected paint and bonding area as needed. The recall repair is free. If the damage is extensive, DVUSA can review whether repurchase applies under the recall. DVUSA has a general reimbursement plan on file for related out-of-pocket repairs already paid. Bring documented repair invoices or receipts to the service desk, or contact DVUSA customer service to start that reimbursement review.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| December 1, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 12, 2024 | Dealer notification began |
| January 12, 2024 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 19, 2024 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| January 19, 2024 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| November 4, 2024 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V806?
Recall 23V806 covers 131 2021-2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans with topcoat paint that can leave windows and interior lashing rails insufficiently bonded. A window or secured object can detach during a crash, increasing injury risk. Dealers will inspect the paint adhesion and repair it for free.
What should I do if my 2021-2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific van is included in recall 23V806. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the paint-adhesion inspection and any needed repair. Reference recall number 23V806 or DVUSA recall number VS3LACKHA when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Mercedes-Benz dealers will inspect the paint adhesion and repair it as needed for free. DVUSA also states that a vehicle repurchase is an option depending on the extent of damage.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is that an insufficiently bonded window can detach during a crash. Objects secured to an insufficiently bonded interior lashing rail can also detach, increasing injury risk. The recall repair path is an inspection and repair of the paint adhesion at a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What if I bought my Sprinter used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. If you never received a letter from DVUSA, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Sprinter is included, then call a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer with recall number 23V806.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V806000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-877-762-8267 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V806 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V806000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (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 →