2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 Electrical Software Recall (21V411)
Daimler Vans USA, LLC · 33,437 vehicles · Reported June 2, 2021
Daimler Vans USA, LLC is recalling 33,437 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500; 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500; 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 vehicles. The MBUX multimedia system software may cause the display to remain black, or reboot after startup. This could result in the rearview camera image not displaying properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility." A backup camera that displays a blank image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. The fix is an over-the-air software update.
Recall 21V411 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V411000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | VS3UXPOBOX |
| Date reported to NHTSA | June 2, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | Daimler Vans USA, LLC |
| Vehicles | 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500; 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500; 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 |
| Units affected | 33,437 |
| Component | Electrical System > Software |
| Safety risk | A backup camera that displays a blank image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. |
| Fix | Over-the-air software update |
What is wrong with the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 in recall 21V411?
The MBUX multimedia system software may cause the display to remain black, or reboot after startup.
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The MBUX multimedia system software may cause the display to remain black, or reboot after startup. This could result in the rearview camera image not displaying properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Is it safe to drive a 2021 Sprinter 1500 with recall 21V411?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A backup camera that displays a blank image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A backup camera that displays a blank image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the software.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V411?
Recall 21V411 covers 33,437 vehicles: 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500; 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500; 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500.
NHTSA lists 33,437 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Mercedes-Benz | Sprinter 1500 |
| 2021 | Mercedes-Benz | Sprinter 2500 |
| 2021 | Mercedes-Benz | Sprinter 3500 |
What is the fix for the Sprinter 1500 electrical software recall?
Yes. The fix is an over-the-air software update.
The multimedia system software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. DVUSA issued owners an interim notification on July 23, 2021. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3UXPOBOX.
When was recall 21V411 announced?
Daimler Vans USA, LLC reported recall 21V411 to NHTSA on June 2, 2021.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| June 2, 2021 | Daimler Vans USA, LLC filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V411000. |
This recall was filed 64 months ago. If your Sprinter 1500 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Sprinter 1500 is part of recall 21V411?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V411 is open on your Sprinter 1500, it will be listed there.
Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. It shows any open safety recall on your vehicle, including 21V411000. Your VIN is on the registration card, the insurance card, and the driver side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. Recent recalls can take a few days to appear in the lookup.
What should Sprinter 1500 owners do about recall 21V411?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V411000 applies to your Sprinter 1500.
- Call a Mercedes-Benz dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
- Keep a simple log of any software symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.
What are Sprinter 1500 owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 62 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 9 of them about the electrical system.
Since recall 21V411 was reported on June 2, 2021, owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA about the electrical system on these vehicles. 0 of them (0%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the electrical system and were received on or after June 2, 2021, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related electrical system issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 62 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 9 of them involve the electrical system. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500: 45 complaints in total, 9 about the electrical system
- 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500: 9 complaints in total, 0 about the electrical system
- 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500: 8 complaints in total, 0 about the electrical system
Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):
I had the same issues as identified in a current recall entitled: Model 907 Sprinter. Model Year 2019-2022 Update Instrument Cluster Software. In my case the instrument cluster remained non-functional upon vehicle start-up exactly like the recall with an added problem of the ignition push button would not shut off the vehicle.
2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 owner, LA, NHTSA complaint 11691714, filed October 6, 2025
Got in a serious accident due to the crosswind assist malfunctioning totalled car and got tickets for bad driving when it wasnt my fault the car took control and I couldn't halo what happended – they arrested me thinking i was drunk (dont drink) it was a nighmare help!!!! I have court 4/29 – this…
2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 owner, TN, NHTSA complaint 11728470, filed April 1, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V411000 (Electrical System, Back Over Prevention) however, the part to the recall repair was unavailable. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not available.
2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 owner, AK, NHTSA complaint 11429298, filed August 16, 2021
Can recall 21V411 make my Sprinter 1500 a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
A recall by itself does not make a car a lemon. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, what matters is whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety, and whether the manufacturer or its dealers fixed it within a reasonable number of attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
Intermittent electrical problems are a frequent source of repeat repair visits: the dealer cannot reproduce the fault, the owner brings the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 back, and the problem shows up again.
Because the remedy is an over-the-air update, there may be no repair order unless you take the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 in. If the symptom continues after the update, get it documented at the dealer so it counts.
For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the Sprinter 1500 went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
A software update can count as a repair attempt, especially if you complained about the problem or the update keeps being repeated. I've seen dealers do the same software update five or six times with no fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Sprinter 1500 been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 21V411
Did the recall 21V411 fix work?
Since recall 21V411 was reported on June 2, 2021, owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA about the electrical system on these vehicles. 0 of them (0%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
Is the 21V411000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Sprinter 1500 is part of recall 21V411000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
What should I keep for a possible lemon law claim?
Keep every repair order, the recall owner letter, your purchase or lease contract, and notes on dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure each dealer visit is written up, even when the dealer says it cannot find a problem.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 21V411000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Mercedes-Benz. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.