Daimler Vans USA has recalled a handful of 2024 model year Mercedes-Benz eSprinter electric vans for an ESP control unit software error. Said error leads to an electrical fault in the brake booster, therefore activating a limited fallback level. In this event, braking may require increased force.
The fallback level had not been implemented as required, with Merc taking the blame for the recall condition. Documents published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveal that no fewer than three ESP software versions had been programmed with the substandard fallback level, those bearing part numbers A9079029008, A9079020005, and A9079023306, respectively.
Affected vehicles were produced between March 21 and April 8 for the US market. Mercedes identified the aforementioned condition during routine development test drives in January 2024. The company initiated corrective measures while investigating the iffy software and while determining the suspect population.
Prior to filing the recall documentation with the federal watchdog, Daimler Vans USA was not aware of any service reports, warranty claims, or field reports potentially related to the defect. As you might have guessed by now, the remedy comes in the form of a software update for the ESP ECU.
Mercedes claims that the recall defect can no longer occur from April 9 onwards. Daimler Vans USA dealers will be informed about recall number 24V-316/VS3EBOOSTF no later than May 10, while owners will be informed by mail before July 1.
Photo: Mercedes-Benz
Owners can easily determine if their eSprinters are included by running the 17-character vehicle identification number on the NHTSA's website or the automaker's recall portal. The VIN should kick off with the letter W for Germany, which applies to the internal combustion Sprinter line as well.
Both the Sprinter and eSprinter for the United States are assembled in Charleston, South Carolina. Be that as it may, the letter W signals that Daimler Vans USA is dodging the chicken tax by importing completely knock-down kits from Germany. Had the North American division imported fully assembled vans, the Sprinter and eSprinter would have been hit by a 25-percent import duty tariff.
Mercedes-Benz Vans Charleston plant operations include a body shop, a paint shop, and an assembly shop. At press time, the internal combustion-powered Sprinter comes in four main flavors: cargo van, crew van, passenger van, and chassis cab, of which the cargo van is the most affordable at $49,900 for model year 2024 or $50,900 for model year 2025. The 2025 will hit dealers in the second half of the year. As for the Mercedes-Benz eSprinter, that would be $71,886 and $61,250.
Why is the 2025 model almost ten grand more affordable? The answer is battery capacity. As opposed to 113 kilowatt hours as standard for 2024, the 2025 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter comes with an 81-kWh unit. WLTP-rated driving range is estimated at 329 kilometers (204 miles) for the standard pack or 478 clicks (297 miles) for the large pack. Sadly, EPA estimates are not available.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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