February 25, 2020 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V109000
Loose Connection at Steering Spindle
If the screws detach, the driver may have difficulty steering the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V109
Manufacturer Daimler Vans USA, LLC
Components STEERING
Potential Number of Units Affected 8,595
Summary
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The screws that secure the intermediate bearing of the steering spindle may not have been properly tightened, potentially causing the screws to loosen and detach.
Remedy
DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace and properly tighten the steering spindle intermediate bearing screws, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 10, 2020. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.
DVUSA’s number for this recall is VS3SCHLENK.
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.
Check for Daimler Vans Recalls
| TO: Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Dealer Principals, General Managers, Sales Managers, Service Managers, Parts Managers | FROM: Anthony Washington, Department Manager, Regulations and Certifications |
| RE: Initial Recall Campaign Notification Model 907 (Sprinter) Model Years 2019 Steering Spindle Bearing |
DATE: March 10, 2020 |
IMPORTANT CAMPAIGN INFORMATION
| Campaign | Campaign Desc. : | Steering Spindle Bearing | |
| 2020030007 | PDGSCHLENK | ||
| This is to notify you of the upcoming Recall Campaign concerning the steering spindle bearing on approximately 8,895 MY19 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vans. The recall campaign will be visible on the www.safercar.gov website and may generate questions from customers. All affected VINs will be flagged as “Pending” in VMI. | |||
| Background | |||
|
Issue |
Mercedes-Benz AG (“MBAG”), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner vans, has determined that on certain Sprinter vehicles of platform 907 (VS30), the screws for the intermediate bearing of the steering spindle may not have been torqued sufficiently. If the screws were not torqued to specification, they could loosen over time and cause the bearing to move back and forth during vehicle operation. The vehicle would remain steerable, but over time, as the bearing continues to move, the screws could continue to loosen and eventually detach which could impair the operator’s ability to steer the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash. | ||
| What We’re Doing | An authorized Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter dealer will replace the screws of the steering spindle intermediate bearing and apply the required tightening torque. | ||
| Parts | Parts are still being verified. An additional notification will be sent when parts are available for repair. | ||
| Vehicles Affected | |||
| Vehicle Model Year(s) | Model Year 2019 | ||
| Vehicle Model | Sprinter, VS30 / Platform 907 | ||
| Vehicle Populations | |||
| Total Recall | 8,595 | ||
| Dealer Inventory | 759 | ||
| Given this notice, it is a violation of Federal Law for a dealer to sell or lease any new MY19 Sprinter vehicles in dealer inventory covered by this notification until the vehicle has been repaired.
Loaner and demonstrator vehicles may continue to be driven, but must not be retailed until repaired. Additionally, given this notice, it is a violation of Federal Law for rental companies to rent new MY19 Sprinter vehicles covered by this notification until the vehicle has been repaired. |
|||
| Next Steps/Notes | |||
| Customer Notification Timeline | An owner notification letter will be mailed in early April, 2020. | ||
| AOMS/SOMS | AOMs – This recall may generate questions from your dealers. Please forward this notice to your dealers ASAP. | ||
| Rental Fleet Partners | This recall may affect vehicles in your fleet. Please contact your respective DVUSA fleet representative for further information and next steps. For repairs, please contact your preferred DVUSA dealer. | ||
| While we regret any inconvenience this may cause, we are determined to maintain a high level of vehicle quality and customer satisfaction. | |||
Chronology of Defect (too many characters for the recall portal comment box)
Chronology:
Mercedes-Benz AG (MBAG) initially became aware of a potential issue concerning the torqueing of the screws of the steering spindle intermediate bearing in May 2019 in the course of a single vehicle inspection prior to releasing the vehicle to the MB dealer organization. During the inspection, it was observed that while all screws on the bearing were present, they did not appear to be sufficiently torqued. MBAG repaired the vehicle by sufficiently torqueing the screws. There were no indications that the issue existed beyond an isolated case at the time. According to the initial technical assessment, there was also no indication that the installation of the screws had an impact on the operation of the vehicle.
In September 2019, MBAG became aware of an individual customer complaint, which reported hearing a clicking noise when the steering wheel was turned. The customer vehicle had approximately 7,000 miles and it was found that the screws of the intermediate bearing were loose. MBAG launched a further investigation related to the customer’s report.
In October 2019, MBAG conducted a manual review of all VS30 vehicles that remained at the plant. The plant reviewed the torque levels of the screws of the intermediate bearing and ensured they were fastened according to specifications.
Simultaneously MBAG conducted various analyses as to the effect of the intermediate bearing not being tightened according to specifications.
The analysis continued into early 2020 and considered in detail the process by which any insufficiently torqued screws could loosen and the consequences if the condition did occur. The analysis included a review of the necessary forces to loosen the screws, whether one or multiple screws need to be loosened and the effects of one or more loose or detached screws on the ability to maintain steering effect and whether the operator would receive any advance warning about the condition. The analysis indicated that while the condition was progressive in nature, the time for the condition to arise to a level that it could affect vehicle operation would depend on the operator’s individual driving style and frequency of extent of movement of the steering wheel.
Simultaneously in February 2020 MBAG conducted comprehensive real driving tests on its closed facilities where drivers operated a vehicle with a sufficiently torqued steering spindle bearing and one with a fully loosened bearing.
While the results of the testing indicated that all test subjects identified an issue related to the performance of the steering via the audible signals (even while the radio was on) and a nonuniform steering feeling, on February 19, 2020, MBAG determined a safety risk could not be ruled out and decided to conduct a recall.
To date MBAG is not aware of additional field complaints beyond the individual customer report from September 2019.
8 Affected Products
Vehicles
| MAKE | MODEL | YEAR |
|---|---|---|
| FREIGHTLINER | SPRINTER 1500 | 2019 |
| FREIGHTLINER | SPRINTER 2500 | 2019 |
| FREIGHTLINER | SPRINTER 3500 | 2019 |
| FREIGHTLINER | SPRINTER 4500 | 2019 |
| MERCEDES-BENZ | SPRINTER 1500 | 2019 |
| MERCEDES-BENZ | SPRINTER 2500 | 2019 |
| MERCEDES-BENZ | SPRINTER 3500 | 2019 |
| MERCEDES-BENZ | SPRINTER 4500 | 2019 |
4 Associated Documents
Recall Acknowledgement
RCAK-20V109-8514.pdf 244.861KB
Miscellaneous Document- Supplemental Chronology
RMISC-20V109-3266.pdf 105.04KB
Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)
RCMN-20V109-7994.pdf 673.434KB
Defect Notice 573 Report
RCLRPT-20V109-4474.PDF 213.783KB
Latest Recalls Documents
https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=20V109&docType=RCL
- Wrench emits click that can be heard and felt when the preset value is reached
- High-contrast dual-range scale is easy to read, even in low light. Product Dimensions - 18.5 x 1.9 x 1.4 inch
- Reversible ratchet head drives in both directions and measures torque in clockwise direction
- Durable all-steel construction has no plastic parts to break or wear out
- Ships pre-calibrated to +/- 4% accuracy and ready to use
- Durable Ratchet Head: Made from Hardened treated Chrome Vanadium steel alloy (Cr-V) Corrosion-Retardant: Satin Finish. Made in Taiwan
- Easy Storage: A sturdy plastic storage case is included. Non-Slip Grip: Knurled handle
- Easy to Read: High Contrast & Dual Range Scale. Accurate: Pre-Calibrated to ± 4%
- Accessories included: 1/2" Drive 5" long Extension Bar and 1/2" Drive to 3/8" Drive Reducer
- Simple and Reliable: “Click” sound tells the preset torque value is reached. Stop applying force when you hear and feel it.
- Length : 26 inches;Width : 3 inches ;Height :2.5 inches
- High-contrast dual-range scale is easy to read, even in low light
- Reversible ratchet head drives in both directions and measures torque in clockwise direction
- Durable all-steel construction has no plastic parts to break or wear out
- Ships pre-calibrated to +/- 4% accuracy and ready to use
- Durable Ratchet Head: Made from Hardened treated Chrome Vanadium steel alloy (Cr-V) Corrosion-Retardant: Satin Finish. Made in Taiwan
- Easy Storage: A sturdy plastic storage case is included. Non-Slip Grip: Knurled handle
- Easy to Read: High Contrast & Dual Range Scale. Accurate: Pre-Calibrated to ± 4%
- Simple and Reliable: “Click” sound tells the preset torque value is reached. Stop applying force when you hear and feel it.
- ACCURACY: +/- 2 in/lbs up to 40 in/lbs; 40 – 65 is +/- 5%
- EASE OF USE: Apply, repeatable, accurate torque settings to scope rings, guard screws, windage screws and base screws, which aids in accuracy and decreases the opportunity for problems in the field
- RELIABLE: Torque adjustment range from 10 in/lbs to 65 in/lbs
- DURABLE: Bits are made of S2 tool steel and hardened to 56-58 Rockwell “C”
- INCLUDES: 10 bits (hex to square adapter, #10 flat blade, #32 flat blade, #11 flat blade, 5/32 hex, 7/64 hex, 3/32 hex, T20 torx, T15 torx and Leupold specialty flat blade), ¼” socket and a convenient plastic storage case
- Durable Ratchet Head: Made from Hardened treated Chrome Vanadium steel alloy (Cr-V)
- Easy Storage: A sturdy plastic storage case is included. Non-Slip Grip: Knurled handle
- Easy to Read: High Contrast & Dual Range Scale. Accurate: Pre-Calibrated to ± 4%
- Corrosion-Retardant: Satin Finish. Made in Taiwan
- Simple and Reliable: “Click” sound tells the preset torque value is reached. Stop applying force when you hear and feel it.
- Wrench emits that can be heard and felt when the preset value is reached
- High-contrast dual-range scale is easy to read, even in low light
- Reversible ratchet head drives in both directions and measures torque in clockwise direction
- Durable all-steel construction has no plastic parts to break or wear out
- Ships pre-calibrated to +/- 4% accuracy and ready to use
- ▲【ACCURACY】：Each torque wrench passed the calibration according to DIN-ISO-6789(international standard) within +/- 4%
- ▲【HIGH QUALITY】：All steel construction make it lightweight and compact,laser engraving dual-range scale improves numeral clarity
- ▲【CLICK WRENCH】: A click, which can also be felt by the operator through the grip, warns when the required torque is reached
- ▲【REVERSIBLE RATCHET】: Clockwise & Counter-clockwise suitable for restricted spaces,measures torque in clockwise direction
- ▲【UPGRADED ACCESSORIES】:A good all around wrench come with 2.95-inch extension bar, and 1/2”&1/4”adapters
- Click Wrench That Can Be Heard and Felt
- Easy to read numbers that set
- Reversible rachet enables torquing in both directions
- Durable all-steel construction
- Measures 10.75-inches long
- Modernly designed Electric Torque Wrench that provide precision torque measurement from 1.11 to 22.12 ft. pounds with ±3% accuracy and 0.01 ft-lb resolution.
- Set target torque and the LED & Buzzer indicator provides audible feedback when target torque is reached.
- Large LCD display which provides measurements in kg-cm, N-m, in-lb. ft-lb. Offers Peak-Hold and Tracking modes.
- This compact digital torque wrench can operate in tough conditions. Perfect tool for control and apply measured torque in industrial, HVAC, automotive and aerospace applications.
- Summit digital torque wrenches are constructed from high quality stainless steel and industrial plastics. This electric torque wrench set comes with a protective case that shields it against wear & tear when not in use to deliver long lasting performance.
Last update on 2020-03-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Last update on 2020-03-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
