28 of the
113 complaints filed about the Dodge Sprinter 3500
are about the engine —
25% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2006.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
2006 DODGE SPRINTER 3500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO EGR VALVE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIR. THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11484577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DROVE THE VEHICLE TO AUTO PART STORE WHERE THEY DID A FREE DIAGNOSTIC ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (CYLINDER 8 MISFIRE). REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS, MOVED THE COILS AROUND, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF FOR 2 DAY'S THEN CAME BACK ON. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. CAM SHAFT LIFTERS GOING BAD (CYLINDER 8 MISFIRE ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT), 155,000 MILES. DEALERSHIP IS ASKING $4,500 TO REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #11324960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE TWO RECALLS THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE BY A DODGE DEALER WHICH I TRIED TWO YEARS AGO WITH NO SUCCESS, THE FIRST ONE IS BRAKE LIGHT RECALL NONE OF THE DODGE DEALERS IN MY AREA UP TO 50 MILES RADIUS WERE ABLE TO FIX THE RECALL. NOW I AM TRYING TO REGISTER MY VEHICLE WITH DMV AND I WAS TOLD ABOUT THE PROOF OF CORRECTION THAT I NEED TO PROVIDE FOR AN EMISSION RECALL. I CALLED MULTIPLE DODGE DEALERS WITH NO SUCCESS TO HAVE IT WORKED ON PLUS I WAS SUGGESTED TO CALL MERCEDES BENZ SINCE IT IS A MERCEDES ENGINEERED VEHICLE AND SINCE ITS A DODGE THEY WON'T DO THE RECALL. NOW I AM STUCK WITH A VEHICLE I CAN GET FIXED AND REGISTERED. THE VEHICLE IS MY WORK VEHICLE AND I CAN'T DO ANY WORK/INCOME BECAUSE IT CAN'T BE REGISTERED.PLEASE ADVICE
NHTSA complaint #11173311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENTIRE MERCEDES DIESEL SPRINTER ENGINE FAILED COMPLETELY AND WILL NEED A NEW ENGINE. POSSIBLE CAUSE IS CRACKED PISTON OR STUCK INJECTOR. THIS HAPPENED WHEN DRIVING, SHORTLY AFTER SERPENTINE BELT AND TRANSMISSION LINE WERE REPLACED, VEHICLE WAS JUST SERVICED, INCLUDING NEW BRAKES, MUFFLER, INSPECTION, OIL CHANGE. ONLY 82,000 MILES! COST WILL BE OVER $11,000! THIS IS A WINNEBAGO VIEW AND ALTHOUGH IT IS NOW OLDER (2007) IT HASN'T BEEN DRIVEN THAT MUCH EACH YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #11114523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS A RANDOM FAILURE IN WHICH A LIMP MODE OCCURRED AND CAUSED A DRASTIC REDUCTION IN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF PALM SPRINGS (4095 E PALM CANYON DR, PALM SPRINGS, CA 92264, (760) 328-6525) WHO REPLACED THE EGR AND PROVIDED DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO PROGRESS INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE EGR AND ADDITIONAL PARTS. THE PART WAS REPLACED A THIRD TIME DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO SERVICED FOR A MANUFACTURER RECALL (T21) AT HILLTOP CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (3291 AUTO PLAZA DRIVE, RICHMOND, CA 94806, (510) 243-6100). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11054714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SPRINTER IN LOOSING POWER WHEN ITS GOING TO EVEN LITTLE HILL,AFTER THAT WORKS FINE.CHK WITH SHOP TRANS OK. OTHER SITUATION IS AC VENTS GIVING ONLY COLD AIR FROM TOP VENTS AND SIDE VENTS GIVING FULL HEAT LIKE OVER HOT.
NHTSA complaint #11015847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FOR THE SECOND TIME SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THE TUBE CONNECTED TO THE EGR VALVE SPLIT APART. THE TUBE IS LOCATED DIRECTLY UNDER THE CAB AIR INTAKE, SO EXHAUST GASSES ARE PUMPED INTO THE CAB. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT THE TUBE BROKE COMPLETELY APART AND THE PRESENCE OF EXHAUST WAS OBVIOUS. SINCE THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN 85K MILES, I AM CONCERNED THE NEXT TIME IT MIGHT JUST CRACK AND CAUSE CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 10 AT 65 MPH. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN, THE TUBE RUPTURED BECAUSE THE EGR VALVE STUCK CLOSED, CAUSING PRESSURE TO BUILD UP IN THE TUBE. I HAVE ALL THE PARTS THAT WERE REPLACED AND CAN SHIP THEM TO YOU IF NECESSARY.
NHTSA complaint #10947566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
OUR TURBO RESONATOR FAILED FOUR TIMES. EVERY TIME THIS HAPPENED WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH AND THEN SUDDENLY NO POWER AND OUR VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND OUR MAXIMUM SPEED WAS 30 TO 35 MPH. VERY, VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. WHEN THIS HAPPENED TO US THE 4TH TIME I RESEARCHED THIS ON LINE AND IT LOOKS LIKE LATE 2004, 2005, 2006 AND 2007 MODELS ARE ALL EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.7 LITER 5 CYLINDER IN LINE TURBO DIESEL. THE RESONATOR IS MADE OF A PLASTIC BONDED TOGETHER ASSEMBLY AND IS NOT WELL SUITED FOR HIGH HEAT, VIBRATION AND HIGH PRESSURE ENVIRONMENT SO IT SPLITS AND PUTS THE VEHICLE AND OCCUPANTS IN GREAT DANGER . ACCORDING TO THE ARTICLE I READ THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY SPRINT OWNERS AND THAT THERE IS AN EASY FIX. I STRONGLY FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS PART. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO THE DODGE CORPORATE OFFICE AND TO TIMOTHY KUNISKI BY LETTER ASKING WHY THERE WAS NOT A RECALL ON THIS RESONATOR. DATES THAT RESONATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED:6/30/2008, 6/20/2011, 7/15/14 10/8/2015. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE FIRST TIME WE REPLACED THE RESONATOR OUR MILEAGE WAS 37,722, THE SECOND TIME WE REPLACED THE RESONATOR OUR MILEAGE WAS 60,433, THE THIRD TIME MILEAGE WAS 93,424 AND THE FOURTH TIME WAS 97,267 STATUS UPDATED 11/15/16.*JB UPDATED 12/29/16.*JB UPDATED 03/08/17.*JB THE CONSUMER REQUESTED AN UPDATE. UPDATED 03/21/2017
NHTSA complaint #10870006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I'M REPLACING THE O2 SENSOR FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THREE YEARS. AFTER RESEARCHING IT SEEMS LIKE A COMMON PROBLEM RELATED TO THE RESONATOR. I AM SURPRISED DODGE OR MERCEDES DOES NOT WANT TO OFFER A SOLUTION ESPECIALLY SINCE THE ENGINE IS OTHERWISE RELIABLE. IT'S A CASE OF A CHEAP PART CAUSING A LOT OF GRIEF (AND SOME SAFETY RISK AS YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL GO INTO LIMP MODE.) WITH NO RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THIS MOST RECENT SENSOR REPLACEMENT WILL COST ME $762.00
NHTSA complaint #10783444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2010 FLEETWOOD "ICON" (2008 SPRINTER CHASSIS) 33,612 MILES VIN [XXX] THE DODGE SPRINTER RV I PURCHASED (USED, 16,500 MILES) IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR (2013) FROM A PRIVATE RV DEALER IN OREGON HAS A SERIOUS (INTERMITTENT) ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT DODGE/CHRYSLER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO REPAIR AFTER 5 OR 6 ATTEMPTS IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS, BOTH IN OREGON AND CALIFORNIA. I DROVE THE RV TO ALASKA STARTING IN MAY OF THIS YEAR AND WHEN I WAS DRIVING TO VALDEZ, AK THE ENGINE JUST CUT OUT AND I LOST ALL ELECTRICAL. I COASTED TO A STOP AND THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY STARTED, BUT I HAD A NUMBER OF WARNING LIGHTS ON MY DASH. FROM THIS POINT FORWARD I DEVELOPED ISSUES WITH MY GLOW-PLUG LIGHT NOT ILLUMINATING AND BEING UNABLE TO START MY MOTOR. DRIVING THROUGH WASHINGTON/OREGON I CONTINUED TO LOOK FOR A DEALERSHIP THAT COULD CHECK MY RV OUT, BUT ALL BUT ONE IN BEAVERTON, OREGON COULDN'T ACCOMMODATE THE SIZE OF MY RV. MEANWHILE I EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH STARTING/DYING. THE DEALERSHIP IN BEAVERTON COULDN'T LOCATE MY PROBLEM, BUT GAVE ME COPIES OF THE NUMEROUS AND STRANGE TROUBLE CODES MY VEHICLE WAS POSTING WHEN IT DIED/OR WOULDN'T START. THE RV IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND HAS BEEN IN TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE OF DYING WHILE DRIVING (SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WHICH THE MECHANIC AT CROWN DODGE DUPLICATED). THE OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ARE "NO START" (INTERMITTENT) AND NO CLEARANCE LIGHTS (CONSTANT). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10544816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN I AM DRIVING A FREEWAY SPEED THIS VEHICLE LOSES POWER AND THE SPEED DROPS TO ABOUT 40 MPH. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY. I HAVE HAD THIS TRUCK INTO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE MAIN COMPUTER, O2 SENSORS THE RESONATOR AND THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM STARTED WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD APPROX. 95000 MILES ON IT. WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM FOR OVER A YEAR AND IT HAS BECOME A REAL SAFETY ISSUE WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN YOU PULL OVER YOU CAN SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT AND IT WILL RESET THE MOTOR AND RUN FINE UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN. THIS IS HAPPENING 3-4 TIMES A DAY NOW AND I AM AT A LOSS OF HOW TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH OTHER SPRINTER OWNERS.
NHTSA complaint #10483799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE DIES DRIVING AT UNKNOWN TIMES (KEY TURN ON) FOUND TEST OF POWER WINDOWS AT SAME TIME STOP DUE TO NO POWER (12VOLTS) ENGINE CUT IN AND OUT BUT STOPS RUNNING. DEAL NEVER FOUND THE TROUBLE. 1 CLICK (RELAY) TURN KEY TO START (STARTER NEVER TURN) TRUCK MITE START 15 MIN OR NEXT DAY . FOUND BAD MFG ENGINE GROUNDING. ADDED GROUND ENGINE BACK TO GROUND POST FIX THE MISSING GROUND. / 2ND THE MFG TURBO RESONATOR SPLIT MAKING LIMP HOME MODE.
NHTSA complaint #10478681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS 2006 WINNEBAGO NAVION (ON A SPRINTER 3500 CHASSIS) HAS SUFFERED TWO FAILURES OF THE TURBOCHARGER RESONATOR. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS THERE IS AN IMMEDIATE AND ALMOST TOTAL LOSS OF POWER AND THE LOSS OF THE ABILITY TO CLIMB HILLS AS THE VEHICLE GOES INTO "LIMP HOME MODE" WITH A TOP SPEED OF 35 MPG ON LEVEL GROUND. THE VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO KEEP UP WITH OR STAY AHEAD OF, OR GET OUT OF THE WAY OF, OTHER TRAFFIC. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS INITIALLY NOT CORRECTLY DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER, AND AFTER TWO ADDITIONAL INCIDENTS THE RESONATOR WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE RESONATOR HAS TOTALLY FAILED A SECOND TIME AND THE DEALER HAS REFUSED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A WELL KNOWN DEFECT WITH THE SPRINTER THAT IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED BY DEALERS OR THE MANUFACTURER. THIS IS THE MOST UNRELIABLE AND UNSAFE VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED OR DRIVEN. I HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE, UNABLE TO GET TO A TURNOUT, AND STILL PARTIALLY BLOCKING AN ACTIVE LANE OF HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED AND PROPERLY REPAIRED, OR THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BUY THEM BACK IF THEY ARE NOT REPAIRABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10430558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY 2006 DODGE SPRINTER 3500 HAS JUST BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH THE TURBO RESONATOR FAILURE THAT WAS EXPECTED. IT WAS EXPECTED BE BECAUSE IT HAS NOW HAPPENED TO ALL THE SPRINTERS I OWN. THE VEHICLE SUFFERS A DRAMATIC LOSS OF POWER AND SPEED WITH NO WARNING. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND WHEN THE VAN IS ON AN UPGRADE AND SUDDENLY LOSES POWER AND SPEED. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN AROUND AS LONG AS THE SPRINTER HAS BEEN OUT AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT. IT IS A DANGER TO PUBLIC AND AN EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE REPAIR TO MAKE. AS FAR I AM CONCERNED, IT A FAILURE OF THE GOVERNMENT TO FORCE THE MANUFACTURER TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND REIMBURSE THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE PAID FOR IT IN THE PAST.
NHTSA complaint #10389820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WE HAVE HAD THREE VACATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN RUINED DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE TURBO RESONATOR IN OUR 2006 WINNEBEGO VIEW WITH A 2005 SPRINTER ENGINE. WE HAVE HAD FAILURE GOING OVER THE LOS ANGLES GRAPVINE GRADE, THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, 101 CORRIDOR AND JUST THIS PAST WEEK, THE SIERRA MT. RANGE GOING INTO RENO, NV. ON OUR WAY TO YELLOWSTONE. THREE VACATIONS RUINED, THREE TURBO RESONATORS LATER AND LOTS OF MONEY, TIME AND STRESS. NOT SURE WHY WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RECALL ON THIS PLASTIC PIECE OF JUNK THAT HAS PUT OUR LIVES IN DANGER???
NHTSA complaint #10355033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2006 DODGE SPRINTER TRUCK. CONSUMER STATES SEVERAL ISSUES WITH VEHICLE LEADING TO BREAK DOWNS *TGW THE DEALER NOTED THE VEHICLE LACKED POWER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD ESPECIALLY LOOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING ON AN INCLINE. ONE YEAR LATER, THE RESONATOR WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN AGAIN ON MARCH 27, 2009. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE LOCK WASHER ON THE LUG NUT FOR THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT TIRE HAD BEEN IMPROPERLY PUT ON THE TIRE. THE BRAKE LIGHT AND TAIL LIGHT BULBS WERE REPLACED. THE EGR VALVE WAS STICKING, THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED, THE TURBO WAS LEAKING OIL IN THE INTAKE TRACK, THE TRANSMISSION ADAPTER PLUG WAS LEAKING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE HARMONIC BALANCER AND WATER PUMP WERE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10327422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WHICH ALMOST RESULTED IN SOMEONE REAR ENDING MY VEHICLE. PROCEEDED TO THE NEAREST DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED A TORN TURBO-INTERCOOLER HOSE. RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET I DISCOVERED MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE. EVIDENTLY THESE HOSES FAIL DUE TO A POOR DESIGN WHERE THE HOSE IS ATTACHED TO IT'S METAL FITTING. I PHONED DAIMLER-CHRYSLER USA AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. I BELIEVE A RECALL IS IN ORDER BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED DUE TO A HOSE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10292504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE IS WINNEBAGO VIEW ON A DODGE SPRINTER 3500 CHASSIS. TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSES ACCELERATION. WILL NOT ENGAGE THE TURBO. WHEN CLIMBING A HILL IT WILL NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 20MPH. THIS HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME WITH ONLY 5,000 MILES AND IT HAPPENED THE SECOND AT 11,000 MILES. BOTH TIMES THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE PLASTIC RESONATOR. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THIS HAD BEEN HAPPENING QUITE OFTEN WITH OTHER OWNERS. IN REVIEWING THE ODI COMPLAINTS I HAVE FOUND THE SAME COMPLAINT REPEATED MANY TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #10287198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE CLIMBING A HILL ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY. MAX VEHICLE SPEED DROPPED TO 25MPH ON 55MPH ROAD - NEARLY REAR-ENDED BY VEHICLE BEHIND. HAD TO DRIVE OVER 150 MILES HOME AT SLOW SPEEDS TO GET TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. DEALERSHIP REPLACED TURBO RESONATOR.
NHTSA complaint #10269072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.