2019 Freightliner Sprinter 4500: Taillight Visibility Risk
Recalled 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 4500 vehicles have taillights that may dim or turn off when switched quickly, increasing crash risk. Fix via free software update.
Use caution until it’s fixed
Reduced taillight visibility increases the risk of a crash.
What happened, in plain English
Certain 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 4500 trucks have taillights that can dim or turn off when switched quickly between lighting positions. This reduces taillight visibility and increases crash risk. Read more at govinfonow.com/recall/1223856-2019-freightliner-sprinter-4500-taillight-visibility-risk.
Source Summary by GovInfoNow · govinfonow.com/recall/1223856-2019-freightliner-sprinter-4500-taillight-visibility-risk · Updated October 5, 2026 · Official notice: NHTSA #19V591000
Cite this page
“2019 Freightliner Sprinter 4500: Taillight Visibility Risk.” GovInfoNow, updated October 5, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/1223856-2019-freightliner-sprinter-4500-taillight-visibility-risk. Based on NHTSA recall #19V591000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=19V591000).
Why it’s dangerous
If the manual turn-switch for vehicle lights is moved quickly between positions, taillights may dim significantly or turn off completely. This reduces visibility to other drivers, increasing crash risk.
Who’s affected
Owners of 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 4500 trucks are affected. Drivers using these vehicles with the specific lighting switch issue face higher crash risk.
How to tell if you have this one
Check for 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 4500 models. The issue occurs when the manual turn-switch for lights is moved quickly between lighting positions.
- Brand
Mercedes-Benz Freightliner- Category
Vehicle
What to do — step by step
Contact MBUSA
Call 1-800-367-6372 to get the free software update for your vehicle.
What NHTSA says to do
MBUSA will notify owners, and Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter dealers will update the body control unit software, free of charge. The recall began September 30, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is VS3HELI.
How this recall unfolded
Recall timeline
2 dated steps over 2 months.
- Recall began
- NHTSA received the defect report
Dates from the agency record only; steps without a date are left out.
Keep exploring
Where this comes from
The facts (hazard, remedy, dates, manufacturer) are pulled from the official NHTSA recall record. The plain-language summary and step-by-step checklist are written by GovInfoNow to make the official notice easier to act on — they don’t replace it.
- Official source: NHTSA Recall #19V591000 (December 8, 2019)
- Plain-language summary written by qwen3:4b on October 5, 2026, from the official record above. Not reviewed by a person — if it conflicts with the NHTSA notice, the notice is correct. Report an error on this page.
- GovInfoNow is an independent service and is not a government agency. We republish official NHTSA recall data; we don’t issue, amend or administer recalls.