VS3BEGRESS – Incorrect Spare Tire Label – 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

March 18, 2020 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V155000

Incorrect Spare Tire Label

With only the metric speed listed on the spare tire label, the driver could misinterpret the kph as mph and operate the vehicle with the spare tire installed at higher speeds than the tire can withstand, increasing the risk of a crash.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V155

Manufacturer Daimler Vans USA, LLC

Components EQUIPMENT

Potential Number of Units Affected 289

 

Summary

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The spare tire label may indicate the maximum speed at 55 kilometers per hour (kph) rather than as 34 miles per hour (mph).

 

Remedy

DVUSA will notify owners, and Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter dealers will replace it with the label with the correct maximum speed information indicated in miles per hour, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2020. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA’s number for this recall is VS3BEGRESS.

 

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

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TO:  Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Dealer Principals, General Managers, Sales Managers, Service Managers, Parts Managers	FROM: Anthony Washington, Department Manager, Regulations and Certifications
RE: Recall Campaign Notification Model 907 (Sprinter) Model Years 2019 Information Label on Spare Wheel	DATE:  May 14, 2020

 

IMPORTANT CAMPAIGN INFORMATION

 

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Campaign	Campaign Desc. :	Information Label on Spare Wheel
2020040012	VS3BEGRESS
This is to notify you of the upcoming Recall Campaign concerning the information label on spare wheel on approximately 289 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 “Open” in VMI.
Background
Issue	Mercedes-Benz AG (“MBAG”), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner vans, has determined that on certain Sprinter vehicles from platform 907 (VS30), the spare wheel label lists the maximum speed with a metric speed of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) when it should indicate a maximum speed of 34 miles per hour (mph). As a result, the driver could misinterpret the metric speed listed on the spare wheel as indicating miles per hour and operate the vehicle with the spare wheel at higher speeds than the tire can withstand, potentially increasing the risk of a crash. There is no issue with the performance of the tire itself.
What We’re Doing	An authorized Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter dealer will remove the label with the maximum metric speed specification and replace it with the label with the correct maximum speed information indicated in miles per hour.
Parts	Parts are available.
Vehicles Affected
Vehicle Model Year(s)	Model Year 2019
Vehicle Model	Sprinter, VS30 / Platform 907
Vehicle Populations
Total Recall	289
Dealer Inventory	49
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 mid May, 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.

 

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Campaign No. 2020040012, May 2020

TO:	ALL MERCEDES-BENZ CENTERS
SUBJECT:	Model 907 (Sprinter), Model Year 2019 Speed Limitation Label

 

Mercedes-Benz AG (“MBAG”), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner vans, has determined that on certain Sprinter vehicles from platform 907 (VS30), the spare wheel label lists the maximum speed with a metric speed of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) when it should indicate a maximum speed of 34 miles per hour (mph). As a result, the driver could misinterpret the metric speed listed on the spare wheel as indicating miles per hour and operate the vehicle with the spare wheel at higher speeds than the tire can withstand, potentially increasing the risk of a crash. There is no issue with the performance of the tire itself. An authorized Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter dealer will remove the label with the maximum metric speed specification and replace it with the label with the correct maximum speed information indicated in miles per hour.

 

Prior to performing this Recall Campaign:

• Please check VMI to determine if the vehicle is involved in the Campaign and if it has been previouslyrepaired.
• Please review the entire Recall Campaign bulletin and follow the repair procedure exactly as

Please note that Recall Campaigns do not expire and may also be performed on a vehicle with a vehicle status indicator.

Approximately 289 vehicles are involved.

Order No. V-RC-2020040012

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Operation no. of the operation texts or standard texts and flat rates

Op. no.	Operation text	Time	Damage Code
02 1769	Operations: Replace information label on spare wheel	0.3 h	58 917 60 7

 

1 Information label (MAX 34 mph)
2 Information label (MAX 55 km/h)

D40.00-A000-75

aDanger	Risk of death caused by vehicle slipping or toppling off of the lifting platform.	Align vehicle between vehicle lift columns and position the four support plates at the vehicle lift support points specified by the vehicle manufacturer.	AS00.00-Z-0010-01A
Topical note	Information on tires / rims		AH40.10-P-9411-01A
Topical note	General information on rim / tire conversions		AH40.10-P-1050-01A
	Check
1	Check, whether the vehicle is affected by the measure.	Only the entry in the “Extended VEGA Application” (EVA) system in the “Current” tab is decisive for authorized Mercedes-Benz service partners. An additional test of the affected vehicles in the workshop information system (WIS) or vehicle list is thereby not necessary.
2	Raise vehicle.
Topical note	Special instructions for lifting and supporting vehicle		AH00.60-N-0100-01TS AR00.60-D-1000-04TS
	Replace
3	Replace information label (2). 000 588 00 84 00 Heat gun	Bonding surface must be absolutely free of dust and grease. Otherwise, a sufficient degree of adhesion cannot be assured. To do so, remove information label (2) (MAX 55 km/h) and stick information label (1) (MAX 34 mph) onto spare wheel. Remove information label (2) using a suitable tool (e.g.  heat gun) and remove any adhesive residue with a suitable cleaning agent. Stick new information label (2) onto same position.	WS54.00-P-0049B
4	Lower vehicle.		AR00.60-D-1000-04TS

 

Parts ordering note

Part no.	Designation	Quantity
A 906 584 50 12	Speed limit information label	1

 

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IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL #2020040012
This notice applies to your vehicle, VIN:
Speed Limitation Label
NHTSA Recall #20V155

A remedy is available for your vehicle. Schedule an appointment with your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer as soon as possible. This repair will be provided free of charge.

 

2020040012

Dear Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Owner or Lessee:

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

Mercedes-Benz AG (“MBAG”), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain Model Year 2019 Sprinter vehicles.  Our records indicate that your vehicle is included in the affected population of vehicles.

What is the CONCERN?	MBAG determined that on certain Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans, the spare wheel label lists the maximum speed with a metric speed of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) when it should indicate a maximum speed of 34 miles per hour (mph). As a result, the driver could misinterpret the metric speed listed on the spare wheel as indicating miles per hour and operate the vehicle with the spare wheel at higher speeds than the tire can withstand, potentially increasing the risk of a crash. There is no issue with the performance of the tire itself.
What will your DEALER DO?	An authorized Mercedes-Benz Sprinter dealer will remove the label with the maximum metric speed specification  and replace it with the label with the correct maximum speed information indicated in miles per hour. This service   will be provided free of charge.  We are dedicated to always delivering the best customer experience, and respect  for your time is a top priority. While the minimum repair time can be up to approximately 30 minutes, your   dealer can provide you with a better estimate of the overall time for this service visit. As a matter of normal service  process, an authorized Mercedes-Benz Sprinter dealer will also check for other repair measures which might be    applicable to your vehicle and this may increase the required working time.
What should YOU DO?	For additional information and to schedule an appointment, please contact your preferred authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer at your earliest convenience. To locate authorized dealers see www.mbvans.com/sprinter/shopping-tools/find-a-dealer. Please mention you are scheduling an appointment to replace the maximum speed information label under Recall Campaign # 2020040012. You may be asked for your 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) which for your convenience is located above your name at the top of this letter.
Information for Owners	In the event that you are no longer the vehicle owner, or have had a change of address, please complete the reverse side and return the updated information in the enclosed envelope. If this is a leased vehicle and the lessor and registered owner receive this notice, please forward this information by first class mail to the lessee within 10 business days to comply with Federal Regulations.

 

To find the most convenient authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer from your smartphone, scan the QR code to the left.

 

A VIN-based recall lookup tool on our MBVans.com website now offers a search feature that will indicate whether a vehicle has been subject to a safety recall, and whether that vehicle has had the free remedy performed. See www.mbvans.com/sprinter/owners-resources/recall. Should you have any questions or encounter any difficulty regarding this Recall Campaign, please contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. If for any reason a dealer is unable to remedy your situation, we are always happy to hear from you. Please contact us at 1-(800) FOR-MERCEDES (1-800-367-6372).

If an authorized Mercedes-Benz Sprinter dealer for any reason is unable to remedy the situation without charge, or within a reasonable amount of time, pursuant to law 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301, you may submit a complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., Washington, D.C. 20590 or call the toll-free Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153); or go to https://www.safercar.gov.

We apologize for any inconvenience this situation may cause you.

Sincerely,

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
A Mercedes-Benz AG Company
One Mercedes-Benz Drive
Sandy Springs, GA  30328
Phone (770) 705-0600

IMPORTANT VIN:

If for any reason YOU NO LONGER OWN THIS VEHICLE OR have a CHANGE OF ADDRESS, please COMPLETE THE SECTION BELOW, place in the ENCLOSED ENVELOPE, and DROP IN ANY MAIL BOX. If possible, provide the name and address of the present owner so that we may contact them. 

 

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Chronology of Defect (too many characters for the recall portal comment box)

Chronology: 

MBAG first became aware of a potential issue related to the maximum speed information label on the spare wheel through a notification from its production plant in late November 2019. The production plant had identified a small number of vehicles with an incorrect spare wheel maximum speed label. During on-plant vehicle quality inspections it was identified that spare wheels carried metric information labels in kph instead of the Anglo-American variant in mph as specified. MBAG conducted a review of all vehicles that remained at the plant and corrected the metric information if necessary.

In December 2019, MBAG launched an investigation into the label discrepancy including whether the values assigned to the label was accurate for this particular spare wheel. Moreover, the investigation considered whether only vehicles from local US part-by-part production were affected and/or whether those vehicles produced from semi-knocked-down (SKD) vehicle kits supplied from a German MBAG plant including a review of the supply chain of the spare wheels before arriving at the US plant.

In early 2020, MBAG was able to confirm that the maximum speed value that appeared on the label was accurate and that the vehicles affected by the label were SKD vehicles received from the German assembly plant.

MBAG considered the potential effects of the maximum speed labeled as kph instead of mph in the U.S. market and the performance of the particular spare wheel in conditions that exceeded the 34 mph maximum limit.

On March 11, 2020, MBAG determined that a safety risk could not be ruled out and decided to initiate a recall campaign.

Around the same time the initial investigation of this matter began, MBAG also became aware of a different potential issue concerning the maximum speed labeling of spare wheels on Sprinter vehicles. Since the underlying circumstances between these two subjects concerned the same type of labeling, both subjects where analyzed simultaneously.

To date MBAG is not aware of any complaints concerning this matter from the field.

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16 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKE	MODEL	YEAR
FREIGHTLINER	SPRINTER 1500	2018-2019
FREIGHTLINER	SPRINTER 2500	2018-2019
FREIGHTLINER	SPRINTER 3500	2018-2019
FREIGHTLINER	SPRINTER 4500	2018-2019
MERCEDES-BENZ	SPRINTER 1500	2018-2019
MERCEDES-BENZ	SPRINTER 2500	2018-2019
MERCEDES-BENZ	SPRINTER 3500	2018-2019
MERCEDES-BENZ	SPRINTER 4500	2018-2019

 

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9 Associated Documents

Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)

RCMN-20V155-5719.pdf 1135.263KB

 

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ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-20V155-1826.pdf 188.6KB

 

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ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-20V155-4705.pdf 101.511KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2020-2

RCLQRT-20V155-7356.PDF 211.133KB

 

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Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-20V155-6810.pdf 244.954KB

 

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Miscellaneous Document- Supplemental Chronology

RMISC-20V155-6331.pdf 420.927KB

 

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Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-20V155-1991.PDF 213.748KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2020-3

RCLQRT-20V155-8766.PDF 211.232KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2020-4

RCLQRT-20V155-2443.PDF 211.316KB

 

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Latest Recalls Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=20V155&docType=RCL

 

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