RoadVitals

2003 Dodge Sprinter 2500

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
5
Latest Jul 1, 2025
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
5
Latest Nov 17, 2016
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Dodge Sprinter 2500, most frequently naming the engine, brakes and electrical categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine233.3%
  • Brakes116.7%
  • Electrical116.7%
  • Interior & seats116.7%
  • Steering116.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
16V833000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Nov 17, 2016
17,501 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Dodge and Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vans manufactured June 30, 2003, to August 31, 2006. The instrument cluster on the affected vehicles fails to illuminate the BRAKE warning lamp in the instrument cluster during the vehicle start up bulb-function check. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems."
The risk: Without the BRAKE lamp illuminating during the vehicle start up bulb-function check, the driver has no confirmation that the lamp is working and therefore may not know whether or not the lamp will illuminate if the brake fluid level is low. If the operator is unaware that the vehicle has low brake fluid, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
The remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and DVUSA and Dodge dealers will correct the instrument cluster software, as necessary, free of charge. An interim notification was sent to owners on January 6, 2017. A second notice will be mailed to owners once the remedy becomes available. The recall began on July 27, 2017. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-770-705-2070.
Daimler Vans USA, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
11V410000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

Aug 9, 2011
665 units potentially affected
The defect: MERCEDES-BENZ USA (MBUSA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002- 2003 SPRINTER 2500 AND 3500 VANS SOLD AS DODGE AND FREIGHTLINER VEHICLES. THE INTAKE MANIFOLDS MAY HAVE CORRODED. A CHEMICAL REACTION INVOLVING SULFUR IN THE DIESEL FUEL THAT TAKES PLACE UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS CAN LEAD TO THE FORMATION OF SULFURIC ACID IN THE EXHAUST CHANNEL OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD.
The risk: INTAKE MANIFOLD CORROSION MAY LEAD TO AN EXHAUST GAS LEAK, DAMAGE TO THE FUEL RETURN LINE WHICH COULD CAUSE A FUEL LEAK, AND HEAT DAMAGE TO THE INSULATION AT THE FIRE WALL. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FREE OF CHARGE. CHRYSLER, LLC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF DODGE SPRINTERS AND MBUSA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS FREIGHTLINER SPRINTERS. THIS RECALL IS AN EXPANSION OF A PREVIOUS RECALL (PLEASE SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 09V-418). THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403 OR SPRINTER AT 1-843-695-5031.
SPRINTER ENGINEERING & COMPLIANCE SUPPORManufacturer number 2010040002View on NHTSA.gov
09V418000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

Oct 29, 2009
14,423 units potentially affected
The defect: SPRINTER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2003 VANS SOLD AS DODGE AND FREIGHTLINER VEHICLES. THE INTAKE MANIFOLDS MAY HAVE CORRODED. A CHEMICAL REACTION INVOLVING SULFUR IN THE DIESEL FUEL THAT TAKES PLACE UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS CAN LEAD TO THE FORMATION OF SULFURIC ACID IN THE EXHAUST CHANNEL OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD.
The risk: INTAKE MANIFOLD CORROSION MAY LEAD TO AN EXHAUST GAS LEAK, DAMAGE TO THE FUEL RETURN LINE WHICH COULD CAUSE A FUEL LEAK, AND HEAT DAMAGE TO THE INSULATION AT THE FRONT WALL.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FREE OF CHARGE. CHRYSLER, LLC IS HANDLING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 4, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403 OR SPRINTER AT 843-695-5031.
SPRINTER ENGINEERING & COMPLIANCE SUPPORManufacturer number 2010040002View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

BrakesElectrical
Filed Jul 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Sprinter 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V833000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11670560
Incident
Jul 1, 2025
Engine
Filed Jul 24, 2019
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 DODGE SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 63 MPH WITH A RV TRAILER HITCHED, THE ENGINE HESITATED AND WAS 10 DEGREES WARMER THAN NORMAL. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE COOLANT INCREASED 30 DEGREES HOTTER THAN NORMAL. THERE WAS BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST AND THE OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. FLUIDS WERE DRIPPING FROM THE VEHICLE AND ON THREE OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO INDEPENDENTLY POWER ON. THE HOOD WAS OPENED AND THE VEHICLE ENGULFED INTO FLAMES STARTING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ON THE HOOD. IN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE ENGULFED IN FLAMES ALONG WITH THE RV TRAILER. ALL OCCUPANTS EXITED THE VEHICLE SAFELY AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS FILED AS WELL AS POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEM A TOTAL LOSS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE PROPANE TANK DID NOT BLOW A SAFETY BELL VALVE UNTIL THE VEHICLE DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR A DEALER FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. *TT *TR *TR IMAGES ATTACHED *JB

NHTSA ID
11234528
Incident
Jul 20, 2019
Mileage
98,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Apr 17, 2014

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

NHTSA ID
10583329
Incident
Jan 22, 2014
Mileage
35,000 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 10, 2012

OUTER TIE ROD END CAME APART. *TR

NHTSA ID
10451060
Incident
Mar 8, 2012
Mileage
73,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 31, 2011

2003 DODGE 2500 SPRINTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CHRYSLER SAFETY RECALL J32 ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. HE MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALERSHIP TO DROP TO DROP THE VEHICLE OFF PN DECEMBER 15, 2010. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE RECALL WAS A LITTLE DIFFICULT AND IT WOULD TAKE A COUPLE OF DAYS, EVEN THOUGH ACCORDING TO THE RECALL NOTICE IT STATED IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT 8 HOURS. THE CONSUMER STATED A COUPLE OF DAYS WENT BY, AND THEN THE EXCUSES STARTED ACCOMPANIED BY PROMISES. THE CONSUMER STATED SINCE THE WRITING OF THIS LATER, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR 3 WEEKS. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE VEHICLE HAD OTHER PROBLEMS AND THEY WERE HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING IT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING FINE, WHEN HE DROPPED IT OFF. *JB UPDATED 02/18/11

NHTSA ID
10378883
Incident
Jan 1, 1901

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Dodge Sprinter 2500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2014000—
2013200—
2012000—
2011000—
2010000—
2009341—
2008535153.5
2007245152.3
2006345151.6
2005203062.9
2004123038.5
2003Viewing550—
2002040—
2001120—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.