RoadVitals

2004 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.
12
Latest Aug 11, 2023
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.
3
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 12 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Dodge Sprinter 2500, most frequently naming the engine, electrical and powertrain (other) categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 2 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

  • Engine631.6%
  • Electrical526.3%
  • Powertrain (other)210.5%
  • Tires & wheels210.5%
  • Driver assistance210.5%
  • Fuel system15.3%
  • Exterior lighting15.3%

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

3 campaigns cover this model year

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
08V339000

STEERING:COLUMN

Jul 24, 2008
10 units potentially affected
The defect: SPRINTER IS RECALLING 10 MY 2001-2006 DODGE AND FREIGHTLINER 2500 AND 3500 VEHICLES. THE WELDING SEAM BETWEEN THE BRACKET AND STEERING COLUMN OF AFFECTED SPARE PARTS DOES NOT MEET DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS. THE RESULT OF AN OUT OF SPECIFICATION WELDING SEAM IS THAT THE STEERING COLUMN MAY DETACH FROM ITS INTERIOR VEHICLE MOUNTING BRACKET.
The risk: THE OPERATOR MAY LOSE STEERING ABILITY OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMNS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 16, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SPRINTER AT 843-695-5057.
SPRINTER ENGINEERING & COMPLIANCE SUPPORManufacturer number H25View on NHTSA.gov
07V299000

INTERIOR LIGHTING

Jul 13, 2007
4,433 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH REAR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM, THE INTERIOR LAMP IS EQUIPPED WITH AN 18W LAMP AND A SCATTERING LENS. IN EXTREMELY HOT AND HUMID CONDITIONS, THE COMBINATION OF HEAT AND HUMIDITY, AND THE HEAT FROM THE LAMP DUE TO EXTREME LONG TERM OPERATION, CAN DISTORT THE SCATTERING LENS.
The risk: THE SWITCHING CONTACTS OF THE LAMP MAY CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT OF THE REAR LAMP INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR INTERIOR LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE WITH A MODIFIED VERSION WHICH IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE IMPACTS OF HEAT AND HUMIDITY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 17, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL AT 1-843-695-5041.
DAIMLERCHRYSLER MANUFACTURING INTLView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 12
ElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 11, 2023

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Sprinter 2500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway with the ignition key turned to the off position however, the vehicle remained on, causing the battery to be drained. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with EGR valve failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with ignition failure. The vehicle was not repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 257,600.

NHTSA ID
11537939
Incident
May 15, 2023
Mileage
257,600 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 5, 2022

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Sprinter 2500. The contact stated the backlight of the instrument panel had remained illuminated after the vehicle was turned off, and remained constantly illuminated. The failure had been ongoing for the past three years. The contact stated that the failure drained the battery; requiring the battery to be replaced. The contact stated that the failure was due to a Manufacturer's Campaign Number: T21. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer and the recall repair was completed. The contact stated that after the repair, the failure had returned and that the vehicle could not be repaired a second time under the original recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.

NHTSA ID
11477740
Incident
Jun 1, 2019
Mileage
131,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Mar 7, 2020

THE T21 RECALL HAS COMPLETELY RUINED MY PERFECTLY MAINTAINED AND STABLE WORK VEHICLE. INITIALLY AFTER HAVING THE RECALL DONE IT LEFT MY BATTERY DEAD AS IT LEFT COMPONENTS RUNNING...IT HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP FOR 5 MONTHS SINCE THE RECALL THEY KEEP THROWING FIXES AT IT WHICH NEVER SEEM TO WORK! THEY HAVE REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, EGR, 2 PCMS, AND NUMEROUS OTHER PARTS. IT STILL HAS NO POWER AND SURGES AND IS BLOWING BLACK SMOKE OUT OF THE EXHAUST. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL FOR THE T21 RECALL AS MY VAN IS STILL BROKEN AND NO CAN SEEM TO FIX IT. I AM DISAPPOINTED YOU WOULD FORCE A RECALL WITHOUT PROPER INVESTIGATION FIRST. MY VAN IS USELESS NOW AND ITS COST ME 1000'S OF DOLLARS IN LOST WORK!

NHTSA ID
11316729
Incident
Sep 19, 2019
Mileage
124,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 2, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE SPRINTER 2500. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE AUXILIARY FAN TURNED ON, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: T21 FOR THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 390,000.

NHTSA ID
11265743
Incident
Jan 1, 2017
Mileage
390,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 13, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURER RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO WALNUT CREEK CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (2404 N MAIN ST, WALNUT CREEK, CA 94596, (888) 377-2513) TO BE SERVICED PER THE RECALL. AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE ENGINE FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE AND ASKED FOR A LOANER VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER DECLINED HIS REQUEST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,600.

NHTSA ID
11243759
Incident
Jul 19, 2019
Mileage
114,600 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed May 3, 2019

MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TIRE VALVE STEMS SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL. *JS

NHTSA ID
11204615
Incident
Apr 1, 2019
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Jul 14, 2018

I DID THE T21 RECALL UPDATE TO THE PCM AND HAVE HAD CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, THEN IT DIED AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE GREATEST SPRINTER MECHANICS IN MY AREA. THIS WAS AFTER THE DEALERSHIP CLEARED CODES THE FIRST TIME MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOWING FROM INSURANCE MADE ME PAY THE DIFFERENCE IN MILEAGE FROM THE DEALERSHIP. HAD T21 RECALL FINISHED JUNE 22, 2018, AND AGAIN TODAY AFTER PICKING MY VAN UP FROM MY TRUSTED MECHANICS THURSDAY( WHO ONLY WORK ON SPRINTERS AND COULD NOT FIND THE ISSUE) AND AGAIN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I HAVE HAD NO ISSUES WITH MY VAN UNTIL THIS STUPID UPDATE.. I WILL NEVER TRUST YOUR RECALLS EVER AGAIN. FROM WHAT I AM READING, YOU GUYS DON'T CARE OF THE COST AND BURDEN IT PUTS ON US WHO HAVE COMPLICATIONS AFTER THIS PCM UPDATE. SO, WHEN ME AND MY QUADRIPLEGIC SON GET STUCK SOMEWHERE, ARE YOU GOING TO HELP US? PATHETIC COMPANY AND STUPID RECALL. NOTHING LIKE DRIVING THREE TIMES SINCE THE UPDATE TO TAKE MY TIME OUT OF MY DAY, STRESS ABOUT NOT HAVING AN ACCESSIBLE VEHICLE FOR OUR USE, AND EVERYBODY SHRUGGING THEIR SHOULDERS. YES, SIMPLY ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT MUST BE REALLY HARD ON MY ENGINE WITH ONLY 124K MILES.! WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO TO HELP THOSE OF US WITH MANUFACTURING VINS UP TO JULY OF 2004? YOU ARE OBVIOUSLY THINKING ALL ENCOMPASSING PCM UPDATES ARE NEEDED BUT HOW ABOUT YOU THINK ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE IN MODELS FROM WITHIN THE YEAR. OR IS THAT TOO MUCH THINKING FROM YOUR OWN BRAIN AND THE COMPUTER DIDN'T TELL YOU WHAT TO DO?

NHTSA ID
11111352
Incident
Jul 14, 2018
Mileage
124,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed May 15, 2018

RECEIVED T-21 RECALL NOTICE FOR 2004 SPRINTER 2500. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP WE WERE SENT TO BY DODGE (FIAT). DEALERSHIP DID THE REQUIRED SOFTWARE UPGRADE TO THE ECU - RESULT WAS THAT THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS TRASHED. THEY REPLACED 2 MODULES AND THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. PCM IS NOT SHUTTING DOWN THE MODULES AND RELAYS AND ALL CIRCUITS STAY OPEN AFTER THE ENGINE IS SHUT OFF. THIS IS CAUSING THE BATTERY TO BE COMPLETELY DRAINED IN A SHORT TIME PERIOD. OUR VAN IS USELESS TO US - CAN'T DRIVE IT ANYWHERE AND DODGE (WE FILED A COMPLAINT OVER 4 WEEKS AGO) AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP WANTED $2,600 TO REPLACE THE PCM AND THEY WERE NOT CERTAIN THAT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY ALSO NEVER CLEARED THE CODES AS REQUIRED BY THE RECALL (FOR THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR ISSUE). WE HAVE INVESTED A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TIME (HAD TO TAKE THE VAN BACK TO DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES ALREADY) AND DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO.

NHTSA ID
11093859
Incident
Mar 15, 2018

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

T21

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

Emissions Recall T21 Reprogram Engine Control Unit

T21

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Emissions Recall T21 Reprogram Engine Control Unit

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

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
2004Viewing123038.5
2003550—
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.