Recall 26V099 affects 117 2025 Mercedes-Benz Esprinter vehicles for insufficient reverse pedestrian warning sounds. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 117 2025 Esprinter vehicles because they do not make enough pedestrian warning sound while backing up. Pedestrians get less notice of an approaching vehicle, increasing the risk of injury, and Mercedes-Benz dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The pedestrian alert sound generator on the 2025 Mercedes-Benz Esprinter is the exterior speaker system for the electric drive. At low speeds and while backing up, an electric van is quieter than a gas vehicle, so this system adds sound that helps pedestrians and cyclists hear it moving.
On affected Esprinter vans, the sound still plays in reverse, but the software does not raise it to the required minimum volume for the U.S. and Canada. The issue traces to a country-specific software adaptation that was not implemented on certain vehicles. That means a person behind the van has less audible warning while the van is reversing.
The driver does not get an alert when this condition is present. There is no warning sign before failure, because the problem is in the external warning sound level rather than a dashboard-controlled system the driver can monitor.
Who's affected?
VINs became searchable on February 20, 2026.
| 2025 Mercedes-Benz Esprinter | External/pedestrian alert |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 117 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific van is included.
What's the safety risk?
Insufficient pedestrian warning sounds can leave pedestrians without an audible alert that the Esprinter is approaching, increasing the risk of injury. The driver will not receive a warning before this failure, so schedule the software update soon. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2025 Mercedes-Benz Esprinter is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free software update for the pedestrian warning sounds.
- Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one. If not, reference recall number 26V099 when you call.
- Use extra care when backing up until the software update is complete, especially around pedestrians.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician updates the software that controls the pedestrian warning sounds, including the reverse warning sound. The software update and labor are free under the recall. Mercedes-Benz is using its standard reimbursement plan for this campaign, so documented out-of-pocket repairs tied to the pedestrian warning sound concern can be submitted for review. Bring receipts or repair paperwork to the service desk when you arrive.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| February 20, 2026 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 20, 2026 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| February 27, 2026 | Dealer notification began |
| February 27, 2026 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 27, 2026 | Owner notification mailed |
| April 17, 2026 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 26V099?
Recall 26V099 covers 117 2025 Mercedes-Benz Esprinter vans that do not make enough pedestrian warning sound while reversing. The defect violates FMVSS 141, the minimum-sound standard for hybrid and electric vehicles. Mercedes-Benz dealers will update the pedestrian-warning-sound software for free.
What should I do if my 2025 Mercedes-Benz Esprinter is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific van is included in recall 26V099. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the pedestrian-warning-sound software update. Reference recall number 26V099 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects and compliance defects at no cost. For recall 26V099, Mercedes-Benz dealers will update the pedestrian-warning-sound software free of charge at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is that pedestrians do not get enough warning when the Esprinter is reversing. NHTSA campaign 26V099 says insufficient pedestrian warning sounds can fail to alert pedestrians of an approaching vehicle. That raises injury risk. The dealer repair is a free software update.
When were owners notified about this recall?
Owner notification letters were mailed March 27, 2026. If you own a 2025 Mercedes-Benz Esprinter and never received a letter, check your VIN and contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer with recall number 26V099.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/26V099000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-877-762-8267 |
| NHTSA recall # | 26V099 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 26V099000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →