2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 Wiring Recall (21V779)
Daimler Vans USA, LLC · 38 vehicles · Reported October 6, 2021
Daimler Vans USA, LLC is recalling 38 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500; 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500; 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 vehicles. A cable duct may drop out of place due to unlatched engagement hooks inside the battery case. This may cause the starter-generator wiring harness to chafe against the transmission carrier, which could result in an electrical short-circuit. An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 21V779 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V779000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | VS3KABKAN |
| Date reported to NHTSA | October 6, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | Daimler Vans USA, LLC |
| Vehicles | 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500; 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500; 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 |
| Units affected | 38 |
| Component | Electrical System > Wiring |
| Safety risk | An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 in recall 21V779?
A cable duct may drop out of place due to unlatched engagement hooks inside the battery case.
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. A cable duct may drop out of place due to unlatched engagement hooks inside the battery case. This may cause the starter-generator wiring harness to chafe against the transmission carrier, which could result in an electrical short-circuit.
Is it safe to drive a 2021 Sprinter 1500 with recall 21V779?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire.
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 wiring.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V779?
Recall 21V779 covers 38 vehicles: 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500; 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500; 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500.
NHTSA lists 38 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 wiring recall?
Yes. Dealers will replace the engagement hooks on the affected cable duct with expanding rivets, free of charge.
Dealers will replace the engagement hooks on the affected cable duct with expanding rivets, free of charge. The recall began on November 2, 2021. Owners may contact DVUSA's customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3KABKAN.
When was recall 21V779 announced?
Daimler Vans USA, LLC reported recall 21V779 to NHTSA on October 6, 2021.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| October 6, 2021 | Daimler Vans USA, LLC filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V779000. |
This recall was filed 60 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 21V779?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V779 is open on your Sprinter 1500, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 21V779000 is open on your Sprinter 1500, it will be listed there, along with Mercedes-Benz recall number VS3KABKAN. You can also ask any Mercedes-Benz dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should Sprinter 1500 owners do about recall 21V779?
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 21V779000 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.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Keep a simple log of any wiring 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 21V779 was reported on October 6, 2021, owners have filed 8 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 October 6, 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 21V779 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.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
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.
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 21V779
Did the recall 21V779 fix work?
Since recall 21V779 was reported on October 6, 2021, owners have filed 8 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 21V779000 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 21V779000?
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 21V779000 (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.