TAKATA Airbag Inflator Recall
This information is subject to change.
Last update: March 26, 2021
Dear Valued Sprinter Owner,
The automotive industry is facing an unprecedented challenge with respect to the recall of Takata airbags. As you probably know, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has made the determination that millions of Takata airbags are potentially defective and the inflators in these airbags, if defective, could explode causing injury or even death. Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vans uses these driver-side and passenger-side Takata airbags in many of our vehicles and, while we have not seen any related incidents in our vehicles, given NHTSA's determination that a safety risk exists, we are recalling Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vans which use the affected airbags. Your safety and peace of mind are our top priority.
Given the sheer size of the total affected vehicle population, NHTSA is making the determination as to when and to whom available airbags are allocated under their Coordinated Remedy Program. This means that we are subject to parts availability constraints as we seek to bring Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vans back to our dealerships to have these airbags replaced. This is not a desirable situation but it is one over which we have little control.
We ask for your patience as we work through these logistics. You have our assurance that we are bringing every resource to bear in order to address this issue so as to effect a remedy and minimize the inconvenience to you.
We will keep this page updated with information as it becomes available and will, of course, inform you individually as the parts become available. Should you need additional assistance, please visit www.mbvans.com or www.freightlinersprinterusa.com, or contact our Customer Support at 1-877-496-3691.
Once again, we sincerely regret any disruption or inconvenience this situation may have caused and ask for your understanding and your patience as we address this issue.
Robert Veit
Vice President and Managing Director
Daimler Vans USA, LLC
En español
Certain Sprinter vehicles are equipped with driver-side and passenger-side front airbags provided by the supplier TK Holdings Inc. ("Takata"). On January 25, 2016 Takata filed a Defect Information Report with NHTSA announcing a potential defect in some of the subject inflators. Based upon Takata's information to date, "Takata is aware of three field ruptures of non-desiccated SDI inflators. One of these was in the United States and two were outside of the United States." DAG is not aware of any field incidents with the subject Takata SDI inflators. However, based on the information above and in an abundance of caution, DAG will conduct a voluntary recall of the vehicles equipped with subject Takata SDI inflators in the United States as identified by Takata in the Defect Information Report.
On May 16, 2016, Takata submitted an additional "Defect Information Report" to NHTSA that included SPI-2 passenger-side airbag inflators.
In a crash where the air bag system deploys, the air bag inflator housing may rupture. In the event of an inflator rupture, metal fragments could pass through the air bag material, which may result in injury or death to vehicle occupants. To date, we are not aware of any instances of ruptured inflators in Sprinter vehicles.
What are the ranges for the individual model lines for driver-side airbags?
Included are various
2007-2017 Freightliner Sprinter Vehicles
2010-2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Vehicles
What are the ranges for the individual model lines for passenger-side airbags?
Included are various
2007-2017 Freightliner Sprinter Vehicles
2010-2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Vehicles
July 2018 Update
In regards to the Takata Airbag Inflator Recall, Daimler Vans USA (DVUSA), LLC has launched, or is preparing to launch, a number of measures to bolster our current efforts to repair and account for affected Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vans Takata Airbags. Click the links below to view the Sprinter TAKATA Airbag Recall Outreach Measures.
Additional Recall Information
Connecting with our Customers
Customer Outreach
Utilizing a third party vendor to perform customer outreach, DVUSA is contacting customers using a burst of different communication methods including: email, SMS Text, and Phone Calls with 8 communications per customer per communication method. A post card will also be sent per customer. This will be repeated quarterly for unrepaired vehicles.
Fuel Card Customer Incentive
For the oldest affected vehicle population (2007-2008 MY Sprinters - Priority Group 1 & 2), DVUSA is offering affected customers a fuel card incentive for each affected vehicle repaired. These affected customers will receive direct communication via postcard, SMS text, phone call, or email. Once the repair is fulfilled the customer will receive the fuel card incentive by mail.
Partnering with Special Groups
DVUSA is partnering with special groups, such as Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) and RV owner groups, to bring awareness to customers who may be affected by the TAKATA airbag recall. Using this segmentation technique DVUSA can reach a more specialized group of customers.
Working with our Dealers
Mobile Service
Daimler Vans USA’s (DVUSA) mobile service initiative allows authorized dealerships to dispatch mobile tech teams to make repairs on TAKATA affected vehicles. Dealers will receive an incentive for each vehicle repaired. This measure allows customers to have their vehicles repaired at a location of their convenience rather than going to a dealership.
Dealer Engagement
DVUSA is working closely with our dealer teams on dealer communication, dealer key performance indicators metrics, dealer to customer relationship building, and dealer incentives.
Third-Party Engagement
Auctions
DVUSA is partnering with auction houses so that dealer mobile repair teams can gain access to auction premises and complete repairs on affected vehicles. We are also working with auction houses to schedule repairs at local authorized dealers.
Independent Repair Facilities (IRFs)
DVUSA is exploring potential partnerships with IRFs to schedule mobile or in-shop repairs with authorized dealers. Utilizing IRFs would be beneficial for our customers who perform their vehicle maintenance at non-authorized Sprinter dealers.
Salvage Yards
DVUSA is partnering with salvage/scrap yard corporations and data hosts in order to identify affected vehicles and airbags in auto recycler populations, in an effort to record these affected VINs as “scrapped” or “other.”
Joint OEM Efforts
DMVs and Inspection Stations
Daimler Vans USA (DVUSA) and other OEMs, with the support of some state DMVs, are collaborating to create awareness among affected customers.
Grass Roots Blitz (Canvassing)
DVUSA is currently participating in canvassing efforts along with other OEMs to reach affected vehicle owners. These efforts will alert our dealers and/or local field personnel in or near target zip codes to reach out to customers in a specified area of influence. This allows OEMs to collaborate and increase completion rates within key geographies. In addition, DVUSA also participated in the South FL Airbag Recall Awareness Event. This event was broadcast to over 20 news stations to raise awareness among Florida residents.
Unique Populations
DVUSA is collaborating with other OEMs to target unique populations such as military bases and Tribal Nations. A joint OEM letter is currently being sent to Tribal Nations, while the process for identifying affected vehicles on military bases is still being formalized.
About the Takata recall
Find out more about the Takata recall and how to stay safe on the road from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s official website.