2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 Wiring Recall (22V491)
Daimler Vans USA, LLC · 2 vehicles · Reported July 11, 2022
Daimler Vans USA, LLC is recalling 2 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 vehicles. The generator wiring harness may be incorrectly connected to the electric power steering, which can result in an electrical surge. An electrical surge can increase the risk of a fire. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 22V491 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 22V491000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | VS3LE54ELE |
| Date reported to NHTSA | July 11, 2022 |
| Manufacturer | Daimler Vans USA, LLC |
| Vehicles | 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 |
| Units affected | 2 |
| Component | Electrical System > Wiring |
| Safety risk | An electrical surge can increase the risk of a fire. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 in recall 22V491?
The generator wiring harness may be incorrectly connected to the electric power steering, which can result in an electrical surge.
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 vehicles. The generator wiring harness may be incorrectly connected to the electric power steering, which can result in an electrical surge.
Is it safe to drive a 2021 Sprinter 2500 with recall 22V491?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: An electrical surge can increase the risk of a fire.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: An electrical surge 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 22V491?
Recall 22V491 covers 2 vehicles: 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500.
NHTSA lists 2 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 2500 |
What is the fix for the Sprinter 2500 wiring recall?
Yes. Dealers will inspect and correct the wiring harness connection, as necessary, free of charge.
Dealers will inspect and correct the wiring harness connection, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 10, 2022. Owners may contact DVUSA at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3LE54ELE.
When was recall 22V491 announced?
Daimler Vans USA, LLC reported recall 22V491 to NHTSA on July 11, 2022. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as August 10, 2022.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| July 11, 2022 | Daimler Vans USA, LLC filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 22V491000. |
| August 10, 2022 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 51 months ago. If your Sprinter 2500 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Sprinter 2500 is part of recall 22V491?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 22V491 is open on your Sprinter 2500, 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 22V491000. 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 2500 owners do about recall 22V491?
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 22V491000 applies to your Sprinter 2500.
- 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 problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Sprinter 2500 owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 45 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 9 of them about the electrical system.
Since recall 22V491 was reported on July 11, 2022, owners have filed 6 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 July 11, 2022, 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 45 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
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 22V491 make my Sprinter 2500 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)).
Electrical faults are hard to diagnose, so dealers often try several fixes before one works, if one works at all. That pattern of repeat visits for the same wiring problem is common in lemon law claims.
This campaign follows an earlier recall for the same issue. A second recall can mean the first remedy failed, and repeated repair attempts on the same defect are the core of most lemon law claims.
Earlier campaigns on these vehicles involving the same component: 21V779000.
California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.
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 2500 been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 22V491
Did the recall 22V491 fix work?
Since recall 22V491 was reported on July 11, 2022, owners have filed 6 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.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed August 10, 2022.
Is the 22V491000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Sprinter 2500 is part of recall 22V491000?
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.
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 22V491000 (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.