SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. – Daimler Vans USA, LLC will recall 56,534 Sprinters to repair a brake-pedal issue which might result in the van’s brake lights to remain lit even after the driver has released the pedal.
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Part 573 Safety Recall Report 21V-152, the vans under recall were produced with an adapter bolt connecting the brake pedal to the bearing block. The retaining washer used to hold the assembly in place could come loose.
“If the retaining washer comes loose, over time it could detach from the bolt, and in the worst case and with ongoing use of the brake pedal, the bolt may slip out of the bearing block on one side. If this occurs, the brake light switch may become permanently activated even when the brake pedal is not pressed. If the braking lights were permanently illuminated it would not be possible for following traffic to determine the intention of the vehicle which could increase the risk of a crash,” NHTSA reported.
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Drivers of affected model-year 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinters, produced between May 2018 and September 2020, will be able to notice if this issue occurs in their vehicle. As soon as the bolt has slipped out of the bearing block on one side, the brake pedal will feel as if it is moving in a circular formation when being depressed.
The company learned first became aware of the defect through customer complaints last September in the United Kingdom market. In January 2021 MBAG also received isolated field complaints from the U.S. market in which the washer had already moved on the bolt.
The company is still finalizing a remedy for the situation. It is scheduled to contact dealers about the recall beginning April 12th and customers beginning April 19th.
