2021-2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 Body Fastener Recall (23V876)

Recall 23V876 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2021-2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 in recall 23V876?

The partition wall may be missing bolts, allowing the wall to detach during a crash.

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and 2019-2021 Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The partition wall may be missing bolts, allowing the wall to detach during a crash.

Is it safe to drive a 2021-2023 Sprinter 1500 with recall 23V876?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A detached partition wall can increase the risk of injury.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: A detached partition wall can increase the risk of injury.

There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Sprinter 1500 shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the critical fasteners, have it checked before driving further.

Which vehicles are included in recall 23V876?

Recall 23V876 covers 387 vehicles: 2021-2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500; 2021-2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500; 2021-2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500.

NHTSA lists 387 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the Sprinter 1500 body fastener recall?

Yes. Dealers will inspect and secure the partition wall as necessary, free of charge.

Dealers will inspect and secure the partition wall as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 16, 2024. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3TREWAN.

When was recall 23V876 announced?

Daimler Vans USA, LLC reported recall 23V876 to NHTSA on December 21, 2023. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as February 16, 2024.

This recall was filed 33 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 23V876?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 23V876 is open on your Sprinter 1500, it will be listed there.

The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2021-2023 Sprinter 1500 vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.

What should Sprinter 1500 owners do about recall 23V876?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 23V876000 applies to your Sprinter 1500.
2. Book the recall appointment with any authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
3. Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
4. Keep a simple log of any critical fasteners symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. 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 147 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 4 of them about the body, doors and seats.

Too few NHTSA complaints about the body, doors and seats have been filed since recall 23V876 was reported (3) to say whether the fix is holding.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 147 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 4 of them involve the body, doors and seats. 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, 3 about the body, doors and seats
• 2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500: 40 complaints in total, 0 about the body, doors and seats
• 2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500: 17 complaints in total, 0 about the body, doors and seats
• 2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500: 17 complaints in total, 1 about the body, doors and seats
• 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500: 9 complaints in total, 0 about the body, doors and seats
• 2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500: 8 complaints in total, 0 about the body, doors and seats
• 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500: 8 complaints in total, 0 about the body, doors and seats
• 2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500: 2 complaints in total, 0 about the body, doors and seats

Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):

This sprinter van is a 2500 4×4 to exit or enter the vehicle you must use the step, this requires, you to twist sideways and reach down with your foot to the step.

2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 owner, FL, NHTSA complaint 11566588, filed January 19, 2024

Can recall 23V876 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)).

Body and latch defects on the 2021-2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 may seem minor until a door opens while driving or a seat will not lock. Problems that return after repair belong in your records.

A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021-2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.

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.

Frequently asked questions about recall 23V876