The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently issued recall notices for multiple commercial vehicle brands such as Ford, Mercedes-Benz, and Daimler Truck North America. Vehicle components listed in the recalls included deactivated airbags, missing reinforcement fasteners, and detached partition walls.
Owners of the affected vehicles should be contacted via U.S. mail over the next two months, but fleet and independent owners of these vehicles can contact the NHTSA Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 or visit nhtsa.gov for more details. More information on each recall can be found below.
Ford F-Series airbags deactivated
Ford is recalling certain 2023 F-150 and Ford SD F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, and F-600 vehicles. The steering wheel clock spring may have an insufficient weld, causing a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal airbag. A deactivated airbag will not deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. This recall potentially affects 17,970 vehicles.
Dealers will inspect and replace the clock spring as necessary. Interim owner notifications explaining the safety risk are scheduled to be mailed Jan. 8. A second notice will be sent once remedy parts become available, anticipated in the second quarter of 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 866-436-7332.
Sprinter models’ crossmember connection may loosen
Daimler Vans USA is recalling certain 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans. The connection between the propeller shaft bearing and crossmember may loosen, reducing vehicle control. Reduced vehicle control increases the risk of a crash. Additionally, the propeller shaft may damage the fuel tank during a collision, causing a leak and increasing the fire risk. This recall potentially affects nine vehicles.
Dealers will inspect and replace the crossmember as necessary. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Feb. 16. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 877-762-8267. DVUSA’s number for this recall is VS3QUERTR.
Mercedes Sprinter models missing frame member reinforcement fasteners
Certain 2019-2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans are also being recalled. The longitudinal frame members may be missing reinforcement fasteners, reducing vehicle stability and decreasing the structural integrity of the third-row seats. Reduced stability increases the risk of a crash. Additionally, the third-row seat mountings can fail, increasing the risk of injury during a crash. This recall potentially affects 3,739 vehicles.
Dealers will inspect and repair the frame members as necessary. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Feb. 16. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 877-762-8267. DVUSA’s number for this recall is VS3ROHRAH.
Sprinter partition walls may detach
Fianlly, owners of 2019-2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinters should also be aware that he partition wall may be missing bolts, allowing the wall to detach during a crash. A detached partition wall can increase the risk of injury. This recall potentially affects 387 vehicles.
Dealers will inspect and secure the partition wall as necessary. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Feb. 16. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 877-762-8267. DVUSA’s number for this recall is VS3TREWAN.
See also: NHTSA recalls certain Rivian, Volvo, Mack and more vehicles
Freightliner models may experience rollaway from incorrect gear shifter
DTNA is recalling certain 2024 Freightliner M2 Business Class vehicles. The vehicle may be incorrectly equipped with a transmission gear shifter with a "PARK" position despite the transmission not having a park pawl. When shifted into park, the transmission will actually be in neutral, increasing the risk of a vehicle rollaway and crash. This recall potentially affects 1,314 vehicles.
The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Feb. 20. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL991.
FCCC models may experience loss of drive power from unsecured inverter cable
Twenty-six 2023-2024 Freightliner Custom Chasis Corp. MT50E electric transit buses are also being recalled due to potential risk. The high-voltage inverter cable may not be secured properly, which can result in a loss of drive power. A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Feb. 12. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL987.
This article was originally published on FleetOwner.com.
