2009 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
4 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. THE SEAT BENCHES IN THE SECOND SEATING ROW MAY HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH SAFETY BELTS THAT DO NOT MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT," AND MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." FIRST, THOSE SAFETY BELTS MAY NOT LOCK AS REQUIRED. SECOND, THE ASSEMBLY LOOP MAY NOT PERFORM TO MINIMUM FORCE REQUIREMENTS.
What could happen: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SAFETY BELTS IN THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT PERFORM AS REQUIRED SUCH THAT A SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
The fix: MERCEDES-BENZ WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE ANY SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT DO NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 843-695-5000.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2009 SPRINTER 2500.
- Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 11V210000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT BELTS
Summary: MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 2500 AND 3500 SPRINTER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTIONAL THREE-SEAT BENCH IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE SEAT BENCHES IN THE SECOND SEATING ROW MAY HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH SAFETY BELTS THAT DO NOT MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT," AND MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." FIRST, THOSE SAFETY BELTS MAY NOT LOCK AS REQUIRED. SECOND, THE ASSEMBLY LOOP MAY NOT PERFORM TO MINIMUM FORCE REQUIREMENTS.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SAFETY BELTS IN THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT PERFORM AS REQUIRED SUCH THAT A SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: MERCEDES-BENZ WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE ANY SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT DO NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 843-695-5000.
Notes: MERCEDES-BENZ RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS L17. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
2. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. THE SPRING PLATE WHICH ATTACHES THE OIL FILLER NECK TO THE CYLINDER-HEAD COVER MAY CRACK.
What could happen: A CRACK IN THE SPRING PLATE MAY RESULT IN ENGINE OIL LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FROM THE OIL FILLER NECK, POSSIBLY LEADING TO THE ACCUMULATION OF DIRT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITH SUBSEQUENT SOILING OF THE ROAD SURFACE WHICH COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OIL FILLER NECK FREE OF CHARGE. MERCEDES-BENZ USA IS HANDLING THE MERCEDES-BENZ AND FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN, AND CHRYSLER IS HANDLING THE DODGE SPRINTER OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 4, 2010.…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2009 SPRINTER 2500.
- Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 10V294000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-877-762-8276.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
Summary: SPRINTER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 2009 THROUGH MARCH 2010 AND SOLD UNDER THE MERCEDES-BENZ, FREIGHTLINER, AND DODGE BRAND NAME. THE SPRING PLATE WHICH ATTACHES THE OIL FILLER NECK TO THE CYLINDER-HEAD COVER MAY CRACK.
Consequence: A CRACK IN THE SPRING PLATE MAY RESULT IN ENGINE OIL LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FROM THE OIL FILLER NECK, POSSIBLY LEADING TO THE ACCUMULATION OF DIRT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITH SUBSEQUENT SOILING OF THE ROAD SURFACE WHICH COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OIL FILLER NECK FREE OF CHARGE. MERCEDES-BENZ USA IS HANDLING THE MERCEDES-BENZ AND FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN, AND CHRYSLER IS HANDLING THE DODGE SPRINTER OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 4, 2010. MERCEDES-BENZ AND FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER OWNERS MAY CONTACT MBUSA, LLC AT 1-877-762-8276, AND DODGE SPRINTER OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.
Notes: SPRINTER SAFETY RECALL NO. 2010090002. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
3. Airbags
What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. Daimler Vans USA, LLC (Daimler Vans) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Dodge Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2006, to July 31, 2008, 2007-2014 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2006, to July 1, 2014, and 2010-2014 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2010, to July 1, 2014. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, exces…
What could happen: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Daimler Vans will notify the Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner owners and Fiat Chrysler will notify the Dodge owners. The respective dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2017. Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner owners may contact Daimler Van's customer servic…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2009 SPRINTER 2500.
- Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 16V077000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-877-762-8267.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Summary: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (Daimler Vans) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Dodge Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2006, to July 31, 2008, 2007-2014 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2006, to July 1, 2014, and 2010-2014 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2010, to July 1, 2014. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Daimler Vans will notify the Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner owners and Fiat Chrysler will notify the Dodge owners. The respective dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2017. Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner owners may contact Daimler Van's customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Dodge owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
4. Airbags
What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled into the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
What could happen: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began on September 29, 2017. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Note: This recall fully supersedes recall 15V-354 and partially supersedes recalls 16V-379 and 17V-025.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2009 SPRINTER 2500.
- Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 17V478000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-877-762-8267.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Summary: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2007-2009 Freightliner and Dodge Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled into the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began on September 29, 2017. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Note: This recall fully supersedes recall 15V-354 and partially supersedes recalls 16V-379 and 17V-025.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- 2009 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (1), Body / structure (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (2)
09/04/2015 · Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL WAS SPILLING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ONTO THE ROAD SURFACE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT UP FIVE QUARTS OF OIL WOULD SPILL OUT EVERY SEVEN DAYS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED I…
11/24/2014 · Body / structure
THE METHODOLOGY/GASKETING/ WHATEVER IS SO INADEQUATE ON ROOFTOP AIR CONDITIONING UNITS THAT THESE VEHICLES ARE "SEMI-JOKINGLY" CALLED RAIN FORESTS DUE TO UNBELIEVABLY BAD AND CHRONIC AND DANGEROUS RAIN LEAKING THROUGH THE ROOF. A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH ON "SPRINTER ROOF LEAK" BRINGS BACK MANY, MANY RESULTS -- INCLUDING YOUTUBE VIDEOS OF THE OUTRAGEOUS AMOUNT…