RoadVitals

2004 Dodge Sprinter 2500 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
7
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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2004 Dodge Sprinter 2500, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • 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.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Aug 11, 2023

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 · filed Mar 7, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Aug 11, 2023

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 · filed Aug 5, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Aug 13, 2019

PN/ 07551201, RESONATOR, FAILURE 3 TIME IN 60,000 MILES, LOST POWER. *TR

NHTSA ID 10427020 · filed Sep 24, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed May 3, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE SPRINTER 2500 EQUIPPED WITH B.F. GOODRICH TIRES, TIRE LINE: LT23585R16, TIRE SIZE: LT225/7.5R16, AND DOT NUMBER: BEILJD112011. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE TREAD WAS SEPARATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO CONFIRMED THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE TIRE IMMEDIATELY. THE TIRE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE TIRE WAS 18,000. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS 47,000.

NHTSA ID 10609353 · filed Jul 9, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jul 14, 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 · filed May 15, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Mar 7, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD LAMP SENSOR TURNED WHITE ABNORMALLY, CAUSING LIMITED ILLUMINATION WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE GLOW PLUG CONTROL WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR, THEY REQUIRED SPECIAL TOOLS IN WHICH THEY DID NOT HAVE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT PERFORMED THE REPAIRS BY REPLACING THE GLOW PLUG CONTROL. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,300 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.

NHTSA ID 10452679 · filed Mar 22, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .