— Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is recalling over 5,500 model year 2015 Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vans because the doors might be extremely tough to open after a frontal crash.
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter says the problem started with the introduction of the OM651 four-cylinder diesel engine when an abutting wedge had to be added at the B-pillar. The wedge had to be added to meet requirements concerning the ability to open the doors after a severe frontal crash.
Apparently, employees didn't follow directions and installed the wedge at the wrong angle. The problem was discovered in September 2014, and a follow-up investigation discovered the errors made by line production workers.
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter says the recalled vans were built July 1, 2014, to October 14, 2014.
The automaker says no accidents or injuries have been caused by the misplaced wedges, but dealers will need to inspect the wedges and fix them, if needed. That will begin to happen sometime in March 2015.
Owners of the 2015 Sprinter 2500 and 3500 can contact Sprinter at 877-762-8267.
