2006 Dodge Sprinter 2500 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2006 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
- Engine1540.5%
- Powertrain (other)718.9%
- Fuel system410.8%
- Electrical38.1%
- Exterior lighting25.4%
- Brakes12.7%
- Visibility12.7%
- Other / unspecified12.7%
- Seat belts12.7%
- Steering12.7%
- Tires & wheels12.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Sprinter 2500. The contact received notification of Emissions Recall T21 Reprogram Engine Control Unit. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and carbon monoxide fumes were coming into the cabin of the travel trailer and setting off the carbon monoxide alarm. Police have also warned the contact that there would be a fine for black smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the dealer informed the contact that they were not equipped with the tools or had technicians that could perform the recall repair. The dealer referred the contact to a Mercedes-Benz dealer. However, the Mercedes Benz dealer informed the contact that they only perform recall repairs on Mercedes-Benz vehicles. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case but could not get a dealer to perform the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.
EMISSIONS RECALL. MANUFACTURER FCA TOTALLY UNRESPONSIVE. HOURS ON PHONE. DEALERS TOO CANNOT GET RESPONSE, VEHICLE COMPUTER SHUTS ENGINE OFF ON HIGHWAY AS ENGINE DETECTS PROBLEM. TRUCK CAN THEN BE RESTARTED USUALLY. FUMES BEGINNING. EUROPE SUING MANUFACTURER OVER THIS AND EPA MAY BE.FCA RECALL # IS T21
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
GEAR SHIFTER WAS ABLE TO BE MOVED FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION OR THE "BYPASS" SWITCH BEING PRESSED. A 5 YEAR OLD WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE SHIFTER INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT KEY IN THE IGNITION OR PRESSING THE BYPASS BUTTON WHICH ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL DOWN A HILL.
ON MORE THAN 1 OCCASION, MY VEHICLE DIED OUT WHILE TRAVELING ON EXPRESSWAYS. IN ALL INSTANCES, THE ENGINE STOPPED WORKING. FORTUNATELY NOBODY WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE NEEDS AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT AGAIN AND HAS LESS THAN 69,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON MORE THAN 1 OCCASION, MY VEHICLE DIED OUT WHILE TRAVELING ON EXPRESSWAYS. IN ALL INSTANCES, THE ENGINE STOPPED WORKING. FORTUNATELY NOBODY WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE NEEDS AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT AGAIN AND HAS LESS THAN 69,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
RESONATOR FAILURE ON A 2006 DODGE SPRINTER (WINNEBAGO VIEW). WHEN THE RESONATOR BREAKS, IT POSES A SIGNIFICANT DANGER OF AN ACCIDENT OCCURRING DUE TO THE SUDDEN AND COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THIS SUDDEN RAPID DECELERATION WITHOUT ANY WARNING SIGN OF ANY KIND CAUSES A SERIOUS AND UNACCEPTABLE SAFETY HAZARD NOT ONLY TO US BUT ALSO TO ANY OTHER PERSON ON THE ROAD. IT HAS BROKEN DOWN ON MAY 17, 2007, MAY 27, 2009 AND AUGUST 17, 2010. REPAIR WAS MADE BY REPLACING THE RESONATOR. *TR
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
I BOUGHT THIS VAN NEW IN APRIL 2006. THE VAN CAME WITH AN E.O.M. ROOF A/C WHICH IS THE CAUSE FOR THE VEHICLE STALLING WHEN DECELERATING. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS ABOUT 2 MONTHS AFTER WE BOUGHT THE VAN. I REPORTED THIS INCIDENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT DODGE WAS AWARE OF IT AND WOULD ISSUE A RECALL AS SOON AS IT HAS A FIX - IT NEVER DID. THE CURRENT ODOMETER READING IS 35,125 MILES. THE VAN WAS MOSTLY DRIVEN SHORT DISTANCES AS I USE IT MAINLY TO TRANSPORT MY WHEELCHAIR BOUND DAUGHTER TO AND FROM DOCTORS AND HOSPITALS VISITS.TIME WENT BY UNTIL IT HAPPENED AGAIN. IT APPEARED THAT THE STALLING, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WHEN THE ROOF A/C IS RUNNING WHILE THE ENGINE IS AT A CERTAIN TEMPERATURE. I CONTACTED DODGE WHICH TOLD ME THAT MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $1000 TO INSTALL THE "REAR A/C IDLE CUTOUT MODULE". AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCHES, I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A DODGE SERVICE BULLETIN # 24-001-2009 DATED APRIL 24, 2009 WITH SUBJECT: IDLE INSTABILITY - REAR A/C IDLE CUTOUT MODULE INSTALLATION. IN MY OPINION THE STALLING WAS CAUSED BY A DESIGN FLAW WHICH THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD FIX REGARDLESS OF THE WARRANTY TIME LIMIT. COULD YOU HELP US WITH THIS ISSUE? *JS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO USE THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED A FIRE HAD TAKEN PLACE IN THE CABIN OF THE AROUND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND AN INVESTIGATOR WAS SENT OUT TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AND THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 30,000.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
Steering wheel is not too good and interior lighting lamp I have issues
REPEATED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. HEADLIGHTS TAILLIGHTS ETC. DEALER STATES IT IS FUSES & BULBS. VEHICLE CHECKED BY AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRICIAN AND FUSES BULBS ETC OK. POSSIBLE DEFECTIVE WIRING. HAVE MADE NUMEROUS (5) ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT. RELATIVE ALSO OWNS SIMILAR VEHICLE WITH SAME PROBLEMS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V833000 (SERVICE BRAKES); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER 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. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE LEFT DRIVERS SIDE ELECTRIC WINDOW HAS A BROKEN PIECE OF NYLON/PLASTIC THAT IS ABOUT 11/2" X 1/2", THAT IS HELD IN PLACE BY A RIVET THAT APPEARS TO LOOK LIKE A NAIL HEAD ON THE METAL WINDOW REGULATOR ARM. THIS FLIMSY PLASTIC PART BROKE INTO TWO PIECES WHICH ALLOWS THE ARM OF THE WINDOW REGULATOR TO POP OUT OF THE TRACK BELOW THE WINDOW, AND THE WINDOW FALLS DOWN AND STAYS OPEN. WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT CREATES NOISE, ALLOWS BAD WEATHER TO ENTER THE VEHICLE, AND CREATES A VERY DISTRACTING SITUATION FOR DRIVING, ESPECIALLY ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM. THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS SMALL PART ONLY A NEW REGULATOR WITH THE SAME FLIMSY PIECE OF PLASTIC. THE WINDOW REGULATOR COSTS BETWEEN $219 AND $224 PLUS TAX AND SHIPPING. THE COST TO INSTALL IT IS ANOTHER 200+ DOLLARS. THIS REGULATOR SUFFERS FROM POOR DESIGN AND SHOULD NOT BREAK ON A VEHICLE (RV) THAT IS NOT USED LIKE PERSONAL TRANSPORTATION VEHICLE. MY WINDOW OPENED SLOWLY AT 70MPH ON THE FREEWAY.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
RESONATOR FAILURE ON A 2006 DODGE SPRINTER (WINNEBAGO VIEW). WHEN THE RESONATOR BREAKS, IT POSES A SIGNIFICANT DANGER OF AN ACCIDENT OCCURRING DUE TO THE SUDDEN AND COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THIS SUDDEN RAPID DECELERATION WITHOUT ANY WARNING SIGN OF ANY KIND CAUSES A SERIOUS AND UNACCEPTABLE SAFETY HAZARD NOT ONLY TO US BUT ALSO TO ANY OTHER PERSON ON THE ROAD. IT HAS BROKEN DOWN ON MAY 17, 2007, MAY 27, 2009 AND AUGUST 17, 2010. REPAIR WAS MADE BY REPLACING THE RESONATOR. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR AND SRS LOCKUP ASSEMBLY IN THE 2006 DODGE/ MERCEDES SPRINTER VAN IS PRONE TO COMPLETE FAILURE IN HOT CLIMATES. THE RETURN SPRING AND LOCKUP HOUSING IS MADE OF PLASTIC WHICH BECOMES DISFIGURED AND IS RENDERED INOPERABLE AND THEREFORE UNSAFE, LEAVING THE FRONT OCCUPANTS UNKNOWINGLY UNPROTECTED. MANY OWNERS HAVE REPLACED SRS RETRACTORS WITH AFTERMARKET BELTS. UNSUSPECTING OWNERS MUST BE NOTIFIED OF THIS IMPENDING FAILURE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
Steering wheel is not too good and interior lighting lamp I have issues
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE SPRINTER WITH GOODYEAR WRANGLER SILENT ARMOR TIRES, LINE SIZE LT225/75/R16, THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES EXPERIENCED SIDEWALL SEPARATION AND THEY WOULD BLOW UP INTO A BALL. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A TIRE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO DEFECTS WITH THE BRAND OR LINE OF TIRES. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED AS THE CONTACT STATED THAT WAS THE SECOND REPLACEMENT OF THE TIRES WITHIN SIX MONTHS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .