2021 MB Sprinter Chassis Torsion Bar Recall

[bclemens]

We're not even sure that 100% of the scope of the vehicle is affected. I am working right now with them to see if we can have a dealer visually inspect. If not affected, then we can clear it. If affected...well, then that's a problem as I think it needs some parts and those parts are not available in the quantity they need.

[DRVmoving]

Please keep us posted , Thanks

[Juno 2022]

Originally Posted by bclemens

I wish...

In a meeting with MB, they spouted the normal PC line of "we have 60 days after announcing the recall to file the forms and then another 60 days for customer communication".

OK, great, that's not what I asked. Just because you get 60 days does not mean you need to take 60 days. Do we need parts? Can't we just repair?

They have offered to "get on a call" with me to discuss further. I hate calls...it just means they don't want to put anything in writing.

I have (20) sitting here I can't ship and more every day. With the shortage of E450's and now this recall...we're running out of chassis to build on.

No one wants answers on this recall more than me.

It seems to me that MB has had a very long time to figure this out...according to the chronology report on the NHTSA website, they have been aware of the problem since June 2021, and did their engineering tests in October 2021. So in essence, they've had almost a year to plan for the remedy.

So, 120 days from March 8, 2022 to provide a remedy...ugh! Looking at July before I get my new RV!

Mr. Clemens, thank you for your follow-up and please keep us in the loop if you do have that 'call' with MB!

[Juno 2022]

Originally Posted by DRVmoving

I am doing alot of research as well . MB will not say its ok to sell or not

This is what MB told me in an email:

"The RV store if it is being sold as a new Sprinter is unable to sell without the recall being completed. It is not though a stop drive recall but customers are being told to be aware of the situation."

Of course, as bclemens said, it's not really 'new' because it's only 'new' when it gets to Dynamax...after that, it's a 'resale' but I'm not comfortable taking ownership or driving it if it has a safety issue...my dealer has 4 units on their lot waiting for the recall remedy.

[jneum525]

What year Sprinter chassis are affected by this Torsion Bar recall? Just 2021?
Thanks

[Juno 2022]

Originally Posted by jneum525

What year Sprinter chassis are affected by this Torsion Bar recall? Just 2021?
Thanks

Only about 2,000 chassis that were built between February and September of 2021.

[jneum525]

Thank you for the info. Much appreciated…

[kenandterry]

Originally Posted by Juno 2022

Only about 2,000 chassis that were built between February and September of 2021.

Is this a typo?
2,000 (two thousand) chassis built over 8 months?
No wonder there’s a shortage of MB units in the RV world.

BTW……when was YOUR MB built for your 2022 Isata?

[Juno 2022]

Originally Posted by kenandterry

Is this a typo?
2,000 (two thousand) chassis built over 8 months?
No wonder there’s a shortage of MB units in the RV world.

BTW……when was YOUR MB built for your 2022 Isata?

Not a typo...2,153 chassis during that period were affected. I didn't say that was the total number built. Probably why they are not in a hurry to fix them...just a drop in the bucket of the total Sprinter inventory.

My chassis has a build date of May 2021.

[Bill Davis]

I wouldn’t be afraid to use the coach. 25% is a long time.

And from NHTSA: "In October 2021, the engineering team determined that a failure may occur, but not before approximately 25% of the required useful life of the vehicle.

[Juno 2022]

Originally Posted by Bill Davis

I wouldn’t be afraid to use the coach. 25% is a long time.

And from NHTSA: "In October 2021, the engineering team determined that a failure may occur, but not before approximately 25% of the required useful life of the vehicle.

I think I have decided that I will pick up the RV if either:

a) the recall is remedied or
b) Dynamax decides to start shipping units to dealers.

[bclemens]

Just 2021's are affected.

I doubt that we will start shipping without clearance from MB.

I have reached out to them and suggested they do a dealer visual inspection. They have no way to know that 100% of the units are affected. Best way is to have a local dealer do a visual and clear what we can. We'll see if they can respond like that.

I let them know we have already had Ford and Stellantis do the same thing. let's clear what we can.

[Juno 2022]

Originally Posted by bclemens

Just 2021's are affected.

I doubt that we will start shipping without clearance from MB.

I have reached out to them and suggested they do a dealer visual inspection. They have no way to know that 100% of the units are affected. Best way is to have a local dealer do a visual and clear what we can. We'll see if they can respond like that.

I let them know we have already had Ford and Stellantis do the same thing. let's clear what we can.

It would be great if some kind of inspection could be done in the interim before the final remedy is available.

[jmac705]

bclemens, Any news this week for those of us in limbo? Of course I would rather just have my RV now and get fixed later.

[bclemens]

Nope. I will post as soon as I hear something. MB seems in no particular rush to solve this. I have given them suggestions, I have no idea if they even care to try them.

[jmac705]

I know it probably is not going to help any, but I have sent an email to MBS to kindly ask them to get off their arse.

[bclemens]

At this point. I’ll take anything.

[nrkmann]

[I]“ … has determined that the torsion bar on certain Sprinter vehicles was not bolted to the torsion bar linkage by the component supplier during front axle assembly in accordance with design specifications. The shim on the torsion bar was incorrectly installed between the nut and the torsion bar, rather than between the ball stud and the torsion bar. “[I]

As I read the recall the torsion bar was miss assembled, i.e. the shim was installed in the incorrect location. Why can’t it be dis-assembled and re-assembled correctly? It is new after all and the parts, I would think, would not be damaged.

[SalmonAnn]

Originally Posted by Juno 2022

Unfortunately, I have no updates...I sent a message to the company that makes the torsion bars (in Germany) asking when they thought they would have the parts ready, but I don't expect to get an answer. It just made me feel better to send the message.

Maybe @bclemens knows something new.

Do NOT take it before it is fixed. MB is really backlogged and you will be put "in line" - a long line to even get an appointment AND if there is no part now, it may be 60 or more days before there is even a part. We had a different problem with our MB and it was months and months.

[bclemens]

Originally Posted by nrkmann

[I]“ … has determined that the torsion bar on certain Sprinter vehicles was not bolted to the torsion bar linkage by the component supplier during front axle assembly in accordance with design specifications. The shim on the torsion bar was incorrectly installed between the nut and the torsion bar, rather than between the ball stud and the torsion bar. “[I]

As I read the recall the torsion bar was miss assembled, i.e. the shim was installed in the incorrect location. Why can’t it be dis-assembled and re-assembled correctly? It is new after all and the parts, I would think, would not be damaged.

One would think.