Service bulletin Inspect Propshaf

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

The communication, as NHTSA indexes it (as of 2026-10-19)
Type	Service bulletin
NHTSA id	10253244
Published by NHTSA	2024-04-15
Manufacturer's number	Inspect Propshaf
Manufacturer's date	2024-03-01
NHTSA component	POWER TRAIN

NHTSA's summary

Propeller Shaft Check Strap on the crossmember may not have been installed.

The document

The document is the manufacturer's. This site does not hold it. NHTSA files a document at one of these two addresses; we have not asked NHTSA which.

Components

Transmission and driveline

Vehicles listed
MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 1500	2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 (the catalog's model; the bulletin names a series or trim of it)
MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500	2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 (the catalog's model; the bulletin names a series or trim of it)
MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500	2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 (the catalog's model; the bulletin names a series or trim of it)
MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 4500	2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 (the catalog's model; the bulletin names a series or trim of it)

Listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned: the document says which.

Recalls for the same vehicles and component
2022602	2022-10-21. Powertrain
22V796000	2022-10-21. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:INTERNAL:PARK PAWL
2021765	2021-12-16. Powertrain

A recall listed here may apply to some of the same vehicles. Only the manufacturer can say whether it applies to one vehicle.

Other bulletins for the same vehicles and component
LI27_20_N_080998_1	2026-10-06. Service bulletin. Sprinter 907 with 725.0 (NAG3 Classic) Transmission ‑ Shudder during acceleration Complaint Shudder may be felt in the following situations: • accelerating from stop or up hill • during upshifts Cause Under Investigation, possible torque converter clutch operation
LI28_00-N-079097_1_en	2026-09-04. Service bulletin. Complaint While driving through muddy / sandy/ off road terrain "4Matic Currently Unavailable" message on the dash Cause This vehicle is not equipped with a fixed force distribution AWD, rather force is only applied to the front axle according to ESP calculations. As per GF28.00‑D‑ 9900A: "vehicles with 4MATIC all‑wheel system and variable force distribution, an electronically regulated multiplate clutch integrated into the transfer case provides for the torque distribution. If the multiplate clutch is open during normal driving operation, only the rear axle drives the vehicle. If the clutch is closed, the front axle comes into play." The message "All‑wheel drive temporarily unavailable" is not indicative of a malfunction but rather informs the driver that all‑wheel drive is currently not available due to the transfer case clutch overheating. This occurs when the vehicle is driven in such a way that maximum front axle torque is needed for an extended period, causing the clutch to get excessively hot. If the vehicle is being driven under heavy load conditions, like in deep sand or snow, the rear axle may slip while the front axle does not deliver power. The transfer case then attempts to distribute torque to correct the slip, but it is limited to a maximum of 1150 Nm to protect the front axle transmission. In extended heavy‑load scenarios, the multidisk clutch in the transfer case slips, increasing the temperature. If the temperature model detects a critical temperature of 240°C, the system protects itself by disconnecting until it cools down to around 160°C, after which the all‑wheel drive becomes available again and the warning message disappears.Vehicles can handle flat terrain easily, but steep slopes or situations where wheels slip might cause additional resistance, leading to the described protection events and message in the dash. Remedy Recommendation is to release the vehicle back to the client with an explanation that the vehicle is operating as designed. Please advise the client to limit vehicle acceleration in limited traction situations to avoid disabling of the 4Matic system ‑ please see "Notes on all‑wheel drive" provided in the operators manual.
LI18_40-N-080867_1_en	2026-09-03. Service bulletin. OM654 Engine Oil Consumption Complaint The customer may report repeated low engine oil level warnings in the instrument cluster. The customer may also state that engine oil must be added between scheduled maintenance intervals. During diagnosis, oil residue may be observed at the oil filler neck, cylinder head cover, crankcase ventilation connection, charge air pipes, charge air cooler, intake tract, or turbocharger area. In some cases, the complaint may be accompanied by increased diesel particulate filter (DPF) regeneration frequency or aftertreatment‑related fault entries. Cause Increased engine oil consumption may be caused by external oil leakage, crankcase ventilation system concerns, reduced oil separation efficiency in the cylinder head cover, turbocharger oil leakage, charge air system oil accumulation, fuel dilution, vehicle operating profile, oil level sensor plausibility concerns, or internal engine mechanical damage. A measured engine oil consumption test is required before a repair direction is determined. Customer‑reported oil additions or instrument cluster oil level messages alone are not sufficient to determine the repair. Remedy 1. Perform the engine oil consumption measurement according to AR18.00‑D‑ 0025TSM. 2. If the measured oil consumption is within specification, no repair related to engine oil consumption is required. • Verify the correct engine oil specification and review the vehicle operating profile, maintenance history, idle time, and regeneration frequency. If the complaint is based mainly on an oil level message and measured oil consumption is not confirmed, verify oil level sensor plausibility before continuing with engine oil consumption diagnosis. 3. If the measured oil consumption exceeds specification, inspect the engine for external oil leaks. • Pay close attention to the oil filler neck, oil filler neck seal, cylinder head cover area, oil filter housing, crankcase ventilation connections, turbocharger oil supply and return areas, and other visible sealing points. 4. If an external oil leak is identified, repair the leak according to the applicable repair instructions. • Correct the engine oil level and repeat the oil consumption measurement if necessary. 5. Inspect the crankcase ventilation connection, turbocharger inlet and outlet, charge air pipes, and charge air cooler for oil accumulation. • A light oil film alone does not confirm a turbocharger or engine failure. Oil pooling, heavy oil accumulation, debris, or oil migration into the intake tract requires further inspection. 6. If there is no clear external oil leak, no severe charge air system oil contamination, and no obvious turbocharger damage, inspect the crankcase ventilation system first. 7. Perform the crankcase ventilation shutoff valve leak‑tightness test according to AR01.40‑D‑0050TSM. 8. If the crankcase ventilation shutoff valve fails the leak‑tightness test, replace the shutoff valve and the cylinder head cover with integrated oil separator. Replace all required seals and hardware. 9. If the crankcase ventilation shutoff valve passes the leak‑tightness test, no external oil leak is identified, no abnormal turbocharger oil entry is found, and the engine mechanical condition is not suspect, replace the cylinder head cover with integrated oil separator. • Fill the engine with oil meeting MB 229.52 SAE 5W‑30 and repeat the engine oil consumption measurement according to AR18.00‑D‑0025TSM.
LI20_10-N-080868_1_en	2026-09-03. Service bulletin. Complaint The coolant warning lamp may be displayed in the instrument cluster. The malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) may also be illuminated. Cause Moisture or corrosion may be present in the connector of the low‑temperature circuit switchover valve (Y97/6) or coolant pump 1 (M75/11). Remedy Inspect the connectors and pins at the low‑temperature circuit switchover valve and coolant pump 1 for moisture, corrosion, or terminal damage. If moisture, corrosion, or terminal damage is found, replace the affected connector or wiring harness and the corresponding component as required. If available, use the wiring harness as the repair measure. If the wiring harness is not available or is not applicable, replace the connector housing and required small parts in the wiring harness.
LI33_30-N-080795	2026-08-03. Service bulletin. Model 907 with all-wheel drive (A4M) – All-wheel drive inoperative Complaint The customer may report one or more of the following: • All-wheel drive is unavailable or inoperative. • Rear wheel slip during acceleration on low-traction surfaces. • Noise from the front axle area while driving. • Message in the instrument cluster indicating all-wheel drive is unavailable due to overheating. • Fault code P27874B - The temperature of the clutch is too high. There is a fault due to overtemperature may be stored in control unit N15 (Transfer Case). Cause An internal failure of the front axle differential may result in loss of torque transfer to the front wheels. In some cases, a fracture of the weld between the crown gear and differential housing may be present. Remedy Replace the front axle differential in accordance with: AR33.30-D-0525TSY – Replace Front Axle Differential.
LI00.20-N-080626	2026-07-02. Service bulletin. Complaint ASSYST values in XENTRY actual values and workshop menu of instrument cluster are implausibly excessive. Infor-mation: According to ASSYST values in XENTRY Diagnosis and the instrument cluster workshop menu, a larger jump (for example 20,000 km or 12,500 miles) has been detected within one ignition cycle that does not match the usual customer usage pattern/maintenance history. Cause Differences between the ASSYST memory in the control units for the drivetrain (N127) (CPC) and the instrument clus-ter (A1) (IC) Remedy 1. Connect 12 V charger (see AR54.10-D-1127TS for models 907). Note: An adequate voltage from the on-board electrical system battery must be guaranteed for the entire duration of the work procedure. Otherwise the control units could be damaged if an undervoltage occurs. Information: Observe the operating instructions of the 12 V charger. Information: Use the 12 V charger to ensure a sufficient voltage (minimum 12.5 V) from the on-board electrical system battery.
LI14.20-N-073867	2026-07-02. Service bulletin. Complaint Complaint A: The engine is jolting/bucking between 1700 and 1900 rpm. Complaint B: One or more mechanical related fault codes for EGR Valve stored in CDI control unit, with possible Check Engine Light. Review list of mechanical fault codes in table below. NOTE: If one or more electrical related fault codes for EGR Valve are also present in CDI, utilize Complaint C. Review list of electrical fault codes PDF document in attachments. Complaint C: One or more electrical related fault codes for EGR Valve stored in CDI control unit, with possible Check Engine Light. Review list of electrical fault codes PDF document attached. NOTE: This LI supersedes LI14.20-N-073813, which is no longer valid. Cause Cause of Complaint A: Increased friction between the EGR Valve blade and seat due to soot deposits causing a delay of the EGR Valve being able to reach the target value of the EGR Valve position controller. NOTE: This causes the EGR Valve blade and potentially the boost pressure controller to oscillate. Cause of Complaint B: Soot deposits between the EGR Valve blade and seat leading to the EGR Valve no longer being able to meet the de-sired target of the EGR Valve position controller. Cause of Complaint C: Internal EGR Valve or other electrical faults related to the EGR Valve function. Remedy Remedy for Complaint A: Perform the following steps: 1. Disable the EGR Valve (Y27/17) by disconnecting the electrical connector. 2. Perform a test drive to check if the jolting/bucking issue resolves. 3. If the jolting/bucking is resolved, proceed to Remedy for Complaint B. 4. If jolting/bucking is still present, proceed with diagnosis to determine the root cause. Consider checking the follo-wing, but not limited to: •EGR system including the EGR Cooler, EGR Bypass Flap, EGR Temperature Sensor, and pipes for proper operati-on, excessive sooting and/or clogging, as well as EGR Bypass Flap vacuum element, switchover valve, and vacuum system. •Visually check the leak oil line or T-piece; reference LI07.00-N-059118.
LI09_40-N-079144	2026-07-02. Service bulletin. Complaint The check engine light is activated, accompanied by one or more of the following fault codes related to the Boost Pressure Positioner: • P300A6D The boost pressure is too low. Charge Air Cooler. • P300974 Component 'Boost pressure positioner' has a malfunction. The boost pressure is too low. • P300DFB Component 'Boost pressure positioner' has a malfunction. • P300DE8 Boost pressure control A has a malfunction after the cold start. Cause The potential causes for these fault codes are: A. Leak or Blockage in the Intake or Charge Air System: This can prevent the proper flow of air, affecting the boost pressure. B. Insufficient Source Vacuum, Vacuum Leak, or Sticking/Weak Vacuum Component: These issues can prevent the boost pressure positioner from functioning correctly. • For Model Year 2023-Cuurent vehicles operating at approximately 4,000 ft elevation or above, reduced ambient pressure and/or high brake demand may contribute to reduced available vacuum differential and under boost com-plaints, even when no discrete vacuum component failure is identified. C. Internal Malfunction of the Boost Pressure Positioner: The component itself may be faulty. D. Internal Defect with the Variable Turbine Geometry (VTG) System inside the Turbocharger: Issues within the turbo-charger can affect boost pressure control. Remedy Engineering Review Required: For vehicles operating at approximately 4,000 ft elevation or above, a TIPS case MUST be opened before replacing any component for fault codes P300A6D, P300974, P300DFB, or P300DE8.
LI35.00-N-080267_1	2026-06-02. Service bulletin. Sprinter 907 - Rear Axle Noise Diagnosis Best Practices Complaint Various noises from area of rear axle while driving Cause A: Howling Noises The high‑frequency howling noise is caused by the normal meshing behavior of the rear axle gear set, consisting of the pinion and crown gear. Two example noise recordings are provided in the attachment for reference. The volume and perception of this noise can vary depending on vehicle weight and load condition. Due to the current design of the Sprinter rear axle, it is not possible to completely isolate or decouple the the vibration generated by the normal meshing of the rear axle gears from the vehicle body. As a result, this noise may be transmitted into the vehicle interior. This noise is considered a normal characteristic of the rear axle design and vehicle operation. As it is not the result of a technical failure, component repairs or replacements will not lead to an improvement. There is no negative impact on the function, durability, service life, or operational safety of the rear axle. B: Other Noises: Noises that differ from the described howling characteristic (for example grinding, droning, or chattering noises) are not considered normal and may indicate a technical concern. Possible causes may include, but are not limited to: • Damaged bearings • Increased or abnormal gear wear • Excessive play within the differential Remedy Remedy for Cause A: Do not replace any components. This noise is considered a normal characteristic of the rear axle design and vehicle operation. Remedy for Cause B: If the noise does not match the described howling characteristic, the concern must be diagnosed and documented using the guidance below, with the results included in the warranty claim as applicable. Documentation of Concern: In many cases, the concern can be remedied using available replacement parts, and a complete rear axle assembly replacement is not necessary. However, due to parts availability, tool availability and workshop constraints, a complete assembly replacement may be performed in select cases to mitigate vehicle downtime. IMPORTANT: This is not intended to be the default repair approach. Component replacement must not be performed without diagnostic findings that clearly support a technical defect. Replacing rear axle components without confirmed abnormal findings may result in a debit of the warranty claim. This document does not guarantee warranty coverage and is designed to aid in diagnosis and subsequent resolution of the complaint. Create a file with all of your documents, findings, photos and sound files. 1. To ensure there is a clear understanding of the customer complaint, collect and document the following information: - When did the noise start? - Verify whether any previous repairs or work were performed prior to the onset of the noise. - Did the noise occur suddenly, or did it develop progressively over time? - Is the vehicle upfitted, modified, or retrofitted? (List all modifications) - Attach photos of any modifications or added equipment. - Under which conditions does the noise occur? (Provide all that apply) • Vehicle speed • Selected gear • Load condition • Outside ambient temperature and/or weather conditions • Engine and drivetrain temperature Diagnosis and Inspection: 2. Collect a video or sound file of the noise concern, ensure the video is available if requested. 3. Perform an NVH recording and store the .pp data file. The file must be available if requested during warranty review or parts inspection.
LI28.00-N-063339	2026-01-02. Service bulletin. Clunking noise on load change or gear engagement Complaint Clunking noise can be heard on some load changes or when changing from N->R or N->D Cause Movement of transfer case splines Remedy Apply bearing retainer (green) Loctite to both output shaft splines of the transfer case. Loctite 648, 609 and 603 are acceptable for this repair. Note: Do not apply Loctite to input shaft (connection with transmission) splines of the transfer case else possible damage could occur.