Mercedes-Benz Recalls 117 eSprinter Vans for Being Too Quiet

The latest recalls from Mercedes-Benz AG include 2025 MY eSprinter vans due to an insufficient pedestrian alert sound.

Mercedes-Benz just issued a recall for the electrified variant of its Sprinter van. According to the recall, the 2025 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter’s pedestrian alert system fails to meet the federal standard. The recall asserts that the vans don’t comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 141, “Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles.” According to Section 5.2 of the FMVSS, “requires that the minimum volume level of the band sum while driving in reverse be 48 dB(A).” In short, hybrid and electric vehicles (HEVs) must produce a certain level of noise while operating under certain conditions, like reversing, to alert pedestrians for safety reasons. 

The NHTSA recall notice names 117 eSprinter vans for the issue. Every one of the vans is a 2025 model, with production dates spanning between December 2024 and May 2025. Moreover, the recall notice suggests that dealers in Daimler Vans USA’s network have already been notified. As with other recall remedies, Mercedes-Benz says the fix will be kostenlos for owners, meaning no out-of-pocket costs. As for the fix itself, Mercedes-Benz determined that the North American eSprinter vans require a software update in the hopes of bringing the pedestrian alert system’s volume up to sufficient levels. 

Not the First Time

This isn’t the first time Mercedes-Benz AG or Daimler Vans USA has recalled the fully-electric Sprinter vans. Last year, Mercedes-Benz AG recalled 689 eSprinter vans due to an issue that could cause a loss of power while driving. According to that recall, certain welds on a helical gear in the rear axle drivetrain may not meet the brand’s standards and could compromise the van’s ability to generate propulsion. You can verify your vehicle’s recall status online using the NHTSA’s VIN recall lookup tool.

Photos: Mercedes-Benz USA

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