RoadVitals

2005 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.
6
Latest Aug 21, 2020
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Dodge Sprinter 3500, most frequently naming the engine, powertrain (other) and electrical categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 3 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

  • Engine450.0%
  • Powertrain (other)225.0%
  • Electrical112.5%
  • Fuel system112.5%

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

Electrical
Filed Aug 21, 2020
Fire reported

THE CAR WAS IN SLOW DRIVING CONDITION IN HOT WEATHER DRIVING.. THE HEATER FAN MOTOR AND/OR HEATER FAN WIRING AT THE MOTOR OVERHEATED AND BURNED ALL PLASTIC SURROUNDING THE PLASTIC CONNECTOR AND WIRING NEAR IT. THE FIRE THEN SPREAD TO SURROUNDING PLASTIC HEATER BLOWER FAN HOUSING AND EXTINGUISHED WHEN HEATER HOSE BURNED AND BURST/SPRAYED SENDING ANTIFREEZE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE FIRE SOURCE WAS EASILY IDENTIFIED AS THE FIRE WAS LOCALIZED IN THE WIRING CONNECTOR TO THE FAN MOTOR CONNECTOR AREA AND NO OTHER PART OF THE UNDERHOOD FIRE. THE CORRECT AMPERAGE FUSE IS IN PLACE FOR THE AFFECTED CIRCUITS POWERING THE FAN MOTOR. THE FACTORY IS INVESTIGATING THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE. I HAVE SEVERAL PICTURES OF THE FIRE DAMAGE.

NHTSA ID
11350672
Incident
Aug 12, 2020
Mileage
265,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed May 20, 2016

OUR TURBO RESONATOR FAILED FOUR TIMES. EVERY TIME THIS HAPPENED WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH AND THEN SUDDENLY NO POWER AND OUR VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND OUR MAXIMUM SPEED WAS 30 TO 35 MPH. VERY, VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. WHEN THIS HAPPENED TO US THE 4TH TIME I RESEARCHED THIS ON LINE AND IT LOOKS LIKE LATE 2004, 2005, 2006 AND 2007 MODELS ARE ALL EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.7 LITER 5 CYLINDER IN LINE TURBO DIESEL. THE RESONATOR IS MADE OF A PLASTIC BONDED TOGETHER ASSEMBLY AND IS NOT WELL SUITED FOR HIGH HEAT, VIBRATION AND HIGH PRESSURE ENVIRONMENT SO IT SPLITS AND PUTS THE VEHICLE AND OCCUPANTS IN GREAT DANGER . ACCORDING TO THE ARTICLE I READ THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY SPRINT OWNERS AND THAT THERE IS AN EASY FIX. I STRONGLY FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS PART. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO THE DODGE CORPORATE OFFICE AND TO TIMOTHY KUNISKI BY LETTER ASKING WHY THERE WAS NOT A RECALL ON THIS RESONATOR. DATES THAT RESONATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED:6/30/2008, 6/20/2011, 7/15/14 10/8/2015. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE FIRST TIME WE REPLACED THE RESONATOR OUR MILEAGE WAS 37,722, THE SECOND TIME WE REPLACED THE RESONATOR OUR MILEAGE WAS 60,433, THE THIRD TIME MILEAGE WAS 93,424 AND THE FOURTH TIME WAS 97,267 STATUS UPDATED 11/15/16.*JB UPDATED 12/29/16.*JB UPDATED 03/08/17.*JB THE CONSUMER REQUESTED AN UPDATE. UPDATED 03/21/2017 *JS

NHTSA ID
10870006
Incident
Jun 30, 2008
Mileage
37,722 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 14, 2009

JUNE 14, 2009 NHTSA: FOR THE 4TH TIME OUR WINNEBAGO DODGE SPRINTER/RV HAS LOST POWER DUE TO PARTS FAILURE [TURBO RESONATORS, SENSORS, AND/OR TURBOCHARGER]. NEEDLESS TO SAY THESE FAILURES TOOK PLACE WHILE MANY MILES FROM HOME AND AWAY FROM ANYONE WHO COULD HELP. WHEN CERTAIN PARTS FAIL, THE SPRINTER IS DESIGNED TO ENTER A "LIMP HOME" MODE AT A GREATLY REDUCED SPEED, THUS ENDANGERING US AS WE WERE TRAVELING ON BUSY HIGHWAYS, FEARFUL WE WOULD BE REAR ENDED BY A TRUCK OR OTHER HEAVY VEHICLES. IN ADDITION TO IMPERILING OUR LIVES, WE HAVE ENDURED EXTRA EXPENSE AND GREAT INCONVENIENCE FOR DELAYED AND CANCELED TRIPS RESULTING FROM THESE BREAKDOWNS. JUDGING FROM FORUMS ONLINE RECENTLY, THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT IS QUITE COMMON AND DAIMLER CHRYSLER IS WELL AWARE OF IT, BUT, BY INACTION, HAS FAILED TO REMEDY. DEALERS REPLACED THE PARTS WITH THE SAME FLIMSY PLASTIC DEFECTIVE PARTS, WHICH IS NOT SATISFACTORY AS THEY WILL INEVITABLY FAIL AGAIN. A RECALL IS CERTAINLY JUSTIFIED. GEORGE AND BARBARA DEMATTEIS CC: DAIMLER CHRYSLER MOTORS CORP. WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES ED VOYLES CHRYSLER CONGRESSMAN LYNN WESTMORELAND. *TR

NHTSA ID
10273733
Incident
Jun 11, 2009
Mileage
15,186 mi
Engine
Filed May 18, 2009

DRIVING ON US HWY 2 UP STEVENS PASS, WASHINGTON AT 50 MPH WHEN ENGINE POWER BEGAN CYCLING, BLACK SMOKE CAME OUT OF EXHAUST, RAPIDLY LOST POWER AND MAX SPEED DROPPED TO 30MPH WITH ACCELERATOR TO FLOOR. QUICKLY BEGAN BLOCKING TRAFFIC AND HAD TO PULL OVER TO LET VEHICLES BY. TURNED AROUND AND HEADED BACK HOME. TOOK VAN TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE TURBO RESONATOR (2ND TIME IN 5000 MILES). *TR

NHTSA ID
10269077
Incident
May 15, 2009
Mileage
7,800 mi
Engine
Filed May 18, 2009

VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE CLIMBING A HILL ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY. MAX VEHICLE SPEED DROPPED TO 25MPH ON 55MPH ROAD - NEARLY REAR-ENDED BY VEHICLE BEHIND. HAD TO DRIVE OVER 150 MILES HOME AT SLOW SPEEDS TO GET TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. DEALERSHIP REPLACED TURBO RESONATOR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10269072
Incident
Sep 13, 2006
Mileage
4,300 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Jun 1, 2008

FAILED TURBO RESONATOR GOING TO YOSEMITE IN ITASKA MH WITH DODGE 5 CYL DIESEL ENGINE. THIS IS SECOND TURBO RESONATOR TO FAIL AND IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CONDITION ON 2 LANE RDS WITH FEW TURNOUTS AND STEEP BANKS. DODGE SHOULD RECALL RESONATORS AND REPLACE WITH AVAILABLE AFTERMARKET ITEM. NUMEROUS FAILURES IN RV'S. *TR

NHTSA ID
10229458
Incident
May 12, 2008
Mileage
27,400 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

T21 Rev3

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

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
2005Viewing620—
2004220—
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.