Mercedes has issued a recall order for about 53,000 Sprinter vans from model years 2019 and 2020 because a wiring harness in their climate control systems can overheat, potentially leading to a vehicle fire.
In documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Mercedes blames the layout of fuses in an interior blower motor. Resistance in the wires could lead to enough heat to melt surrounding plastic and cause a fire, the company says. The problem is more likely in hot weather.
The company is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to the problem. But it has received reports of at least 11 “thermal events” in Sprinter vans. The company warns that drivers may smell melting or burning plastic as the problem develops.
Dealers will replace the fuse box and its supply line to fix the problem. They will also “relocate the fuse within the fuse box,” Mercedes says.
In the meantime, it asks drivers to “only operate the HVAC front blower in manual (not automatic) mode whenever the engine is on.” Drivers should avoid the maximum blower setting or the lowest and highest temperature settings until dealers can fix the problem, Mercedes says.
Many cars are subject to safety recall at some point in their lifespan, and the fix is always free. Automakers attempt to contact every owner to notify them, but inevitably, some slip through the cracks. Find out if your car has ever been recalled at our recall center.
