Mercedes-Benz is recalling about 50,000 2019-2021 Sprinter vans because they may move even when their drivers set their transmissions to “park.” Mercedes is aware of at least 11 incidents in which a van rolled away after the driver had parked the vehicle.
The recall affects Sprinters with a manual parking brake and 7-speed automatic transmission. The defect shows up only when the driver sets the transmission in “park” and does not set the parking brake.
Mercedes notes that if drivers “properly secure the vehicle in accordance with parking instructions in the Operator’s Manual,” the vehicle should not move while parked.
Dealers will correct the defect with a free software update. It should prevent the vans from moving while in “park” even if the parking brake is not applied. But the company still recommends drivers set the parking brake every time they park, following instructions in their owners’ manual.
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