RoadVitals

2004 Dodge Sprinter 3500

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.
2
Latest Nov 9, 2012
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.
2
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 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Dodge Sprinter 3500, most frequently naming the engine and powertrain (other) categories. 2 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

  • Engine150.0%
  • Powertrain (other)150.0%

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

2 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

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed Nov 9, 2012

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10483799
Incident
Nov 8, 2012
Mileage
117,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 26, 2009

TURBO CHARGER RESONATOR,BOOST HOSES, INTAKE AIR TEMP SENSOR CLIPS, LOCKING CLAMP AT INTAKE MANIFOLD FOR BOOST/CHARGE AIR HOSE RETAINER. FAILURE OF EITHER ONE OF THESE COMPONENTS (TOO OFTEN BY MY EXPERIENCE) WILL CAUSE IMMEDIATE POWER LOSS AND DECELERATION CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10275038
Incident
Jun 23, 2009
Mileage
84,659 mi

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 3500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2014000—
2013000—
2012200—
2011000—
2010000—
2009341—
2008396151.0
2007157146.5
2006243149.0
2005620—
2004Viewing220—
2003040—
2002030—
2001010—

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.