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Boxster1971 · 03-15-2021, 03:46 PM

Copy of letter I received that is being sent to owners attached FYI.

=====================
Feb 16,2021
Manufacturer Recall Number 2021020026
NHTSA Recall Number 21V042
Recall Status Recall Incomplete, remedy not yet available

Summary
Mercedes-Benz AG ("MBAG"), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner vans, has determined that on certain 5-ton Sprinter vehicles from platform 906 (NCV3) that were upfitted into campers or recreational vehicles ("RVs"), one or more of the rear-wheel speed sensors may experience an electrical failure, which potentially lead to a disablement of the ESP control unit functions. Other performance issues might also be detected.If ESP control unit functions are disabled, vehicle driving stability may be impacted under certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash. An authorized Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter dealer will replace the rear-wheel speed sensors against a variant with higher robustness against moisture intrusion.

Safety Risk
If ESP control unit functions are disabled, vehicle driving stability may be impacted under certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy
An authorized Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter dealer will replace the rear-wheel speed sensors against a variant with higher robustness against moisture intrusion.

Recall Report: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/202...1V042-1726.PDF
====================

InterBlog · 03-15-2021, 08:11 PM

And a re-post below of the general notice that I found in my news feed (I don't have a recalled MY but I get a lot of van-related stuff).

As Boxster noted on my Suspension thread, "Sounds a bit like Daimler Vans is implying that RV manufacturers have caused this issue." Which would seem to make no sense if it's a waterproofing failure, would it?

Titus · 03-16-2021, 09:45 AM

Someplace I read that WSS failure is more common on dual-wheel Sprinters. (Maybe those are the only ones subject to the recall?) Do all 3500 Sprinters have dual rear wheels, and are all dual rear wheeled Sprinters the 3500 chassis? It may be that water splash from duals is harder on the WSS than from single rear tires. And it may be that the most common use of dual rear wheels is by RV industry, hence the cited 'connection' to RVs.

Brezzin · 03-17-2021, 06:07 AM

That failure happened to me on a trip. It's no simple failure that you can just blow off until you get home. It affects almost every safety feature the sprinter has and also the acceleration of the vehicle from a dead stop. It makes merging into traffic a real nail biter. It took three days to fix in a Mercedes dealer in CT because they needed to test everything and get to the part. Get this done ASAP cause it really sucks when your on the road.

**Rocinante** · 03-17-2021, 09:13 AM

We also got the recall / "sorry, no parts yet" notice from MB. As soon as they have parts, we'll get this recall work done.

Titus · 03-17-2021, 03:42 PM

Regarding acceleration: I have had two failures - one front and one rear. Neither caused lowered acceleration (though I never tried to floor it). With the rear wheel sensor failure I had the transmission mysteriously shift into neutral when coasting. I pulled over and shifted to Park then back to drive and it worked fine for the rest of the drive to the repair shop.

Moereece · 03-21-2021, 10:06 PM

Should we be driving around in these vans, or should we park them until the work is done?

Boxster1971 · 03-22-2021, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moereece

Should we be driving around in these vans, or should we park them until the work is done?

I plan to continue to drive mine. That is a personal choice - not a recommendation. If you get the letter, call the Mercedes-Benz phone number on letter and ask them what they recommend.

Titus · 03-25-2021, 01:08 PM

I am driving mine too. If one had failed I might think twice about starting a long trip without it. But I wouldn't forego a trip just because one might fail. Having one that failed is like having one the many old vehicles (including T1N Sprinters?) that did not have ABS or electronic stability control. They disable the cruise control - probably as an incentive to get it fixed - since I don't think the wheel speed sensor is used by the cruise control system.

orlik · 03-29-2021, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moereece

Should we be driving around in these vans, or should we park them until the work is done?

Our rear wheel sensor failed for the third time 2 weeks ago on recent trip to Naples, Fl. We were about 200 miles into a 600 mile trip. We are getting a bit too use to it. When it happens we just look at each and say few choice about Mercedes , turn off the cruise control and keep on driving. If it jerks and bucks longer than usual we slow down or pull over somewhere for a short time. We drove the the remainder of the 400 miles without incident and the engine light even turned off (it usually stays on until we get it repaired). So far nothing really bad has happened. It seems to sense you won't be taking it in right away to get fixed so it calms down. Then it drives as if nothing has happened for several hundred miles and then it may or may not start jerking a bit again. We made an appointment with the Mercedes dealer in Naples and even though only one sensor failed they replaced both rear sensors. They said they needed to get corporate approval to replace both. Unfortunately, they were not the improved sensors. When we got home my recall letter was waiting for me.

When it happened the first time we were in the middle of another trip and of course it was bit scary. We had no idea of what was happening and we had only the owned the vehicle for about a year. We called our Mercedes dealer and was informed that we could continue to drive but it should be fixed as soon as practical.

VAtom · 04-02-2021, 06:28 AM

I've had this failure three times, replaced four sensors
I was able to get it replaced on the drive train warranty but thats expired.

The worst instance wouldn't let me shift up from first/low, apparently because the super genius computer didn't recognize the speed of the shift point. 600 miles from home limited to 45mph driving to MB dealer destroying outing
I would be overjoyed to have a defect free replacement.

I had heard an internet rumour that the Dodges had a different set up.

The other failures affect ESP, ABS and cruise control

Sailfast · 04-02-2021, 11:55 AM

We were out from home about a few hundred miles when it happened to our 2014 AI, right in the middle of the NYC George Washington Bridge in stop and go traffic. One heck of a racket from the ABS system (only when braking). Luckily I had an MB ODBII scanner and knew pretty quick what it was and where. No problem with driving, though ESP/ABS would not work and of course no speed control.

Once we made it home (mostly free-way careful driving) I had an OEM replacement sensor in the PO Box. By the time I drive to the MB dealership I'd have this fixed was my conclusion. Well, changing the sensor was no problem, unplugging it and reconnecting the new one was a bit of a chore. You'll have to completely remove the inner ABS liner.

Well, this time I'll let them fix it together with the AEM, which I was told would take from 4 to 8 hours.

catjer · 06-02-2021, 06:37 PM

As Canadian vehicle owners we also received a similar letter for the rear wheel speed sensor recall. The letter from Mercedes-Benz Canada states that the parts are not available and we will be contacted once parts are available.

We have contacted our local dealer, the Mercedes Sprinter specialist in Toronto and Mercedes Canada. They are not aware of the recall even though we gave them the TC Recall #. Someone is supposed to call us in a week but we are concerned about the safety of driving for a planned trip that will be nowhere near any Mercedes dealers and what would happen should the ESP not work correctly.

Are other Canadians encountering a similar situation?

Cathie and Jerry Bruce

Titus · 06-03-2021, 06:05 AM

My AEM is scheduled for early July. Airbag replacement at the same time. Asked about WSS and was told they would not be available until late July or August. May reschedule so all can be done at the same time, especially after hearing that courts have not yet approved the class action payment.

toskeysam · 10-10-2021, 05:11 PM

I received my recall letter, while out of town for the summer. We were about 200 miles from home today when a wheel speed sensor failure popped up. Had both rear sensors replaced 2 years ago, before the new ones for the recall…..
While I was putting the van in temporary parking in the driveway after we unloaded a CEL popped on. I’ve had enough for today, so I will put the scanner on it in the morning, but it looks my routine Fall servicing is gonna be a big one.

Boxster1971 · 10-10-2021, 06:07 PM

I had this recall fix for rear wheel speed sensors done during my B service last month.

Alex AVI · 10-10-2021, 09:31 PM

I did not do this recall yet. I never plan on using the AI to go anywhere in winter where it maybe raining or snowing. And in the very rare occasion that we get caught in rain, we can wait days or even weeks for it to subside. And living in the SW desert, it's not subjected to the corrosive elements other vans in other locations are. So hopefully the new WSS (which supposedly are better protected from elements) will have plenty of testing by those who really need it because of conditions they drive in (or have had multiple failures) this upcoming winter.

So my strategy is to wait it out until enough data is out there that these new ones aren't gonna be another WSS cluster-flack like the 1st ones. It may not sound like a logical strategy - but it is no less/more logical than replacing the original unfailed WSS operated under the least harsh conditions vs. replacing with new versions that have not really been fully tested in the field yet.

catjer · 10-11-2021, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catjer

As Canadian vehicle owners we also received a similar letter for the rear wheel speed sensor recall. The letter from Mercedes-Benz Canada states that the parts are not available and we will be contacted once parts are available.

We have contacted our local dealer, the Mercedes Sprinter specialist in Toronto and Mercedes Canada. They are not aware of the recall even though we gave them the TC Recall #. Someone is supposed to call us in a week but we are concerned about the safety of driving for a planned trip that will be nowhere near any Mercedes dealers and what would happen should the ESP not work correctly.

Are other Canadians encountering a similar situation?

Cathie and Jerry Bruce

We did get notified that parts were available and had our local MB dealer do the recall. Once border restrictions are lifted we will put more km on the rv so hopefully no problems then.

**Rocinante** · 10-11-2021, 07:17 AM

We brought our van in for an "A" service and had this recall work done at the same time. Advantages: no extra trips, free, and puts known better sensors on the rear wheels, hopefully preventing a trip interruption in the future.

toskeysam · 10-11-2021, 07:52 AM

Tried to setup the recall appointment…my home dealer…the one who does all service on my Sprinter…can’t get in until Dec 28th. Glad I’m not going anywhere!