RoadVitals

2006 Dodge Sprinter 3500 Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints 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.
18
Latest Sep 15, 2022
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
75%
of 24 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 Dodge Sprinter 3500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 18 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Engine
Filed Sep 15, 2022

2006 DODGE SPRINTER 3500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO EGR VALVE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIR. THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11484577
Incident
Sep 15, 2022
BrakesEngine
Filed Jan 31, 2019

I HAVE TWO RECALLS THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE BY A DODGE DEALER WHICH I TRIED TWO YEARS AGO WITH NO SUCCESS, THE FIRST ONE IS BRAKE LIGHT RECALL NONE OF THE DODGE DEALERS IN MY AREA UP TO 50 MILES RADIUS WERE ABLE TO FIX THE RECALL. NOW I AM TRYING TO REGISTER MY VEHICLE WITH DMV AND I WAS TOLD ABOUT THE PROOF OF CORRECTION THAT I NEED TO PROVIDE FOR AN EMISSION RECALL. I CALLED MULTIPLE DODGE DEALERS WITH NO SUCCESS TO HAVE IT WORKED ON PLUS I WAS SUGGESTED TO CALL MERCEDES BENZ SINCE IT IS A MERCEDES ENGINEERED VEHICLE AND SINCE ITS A DODGE THEY WON'T DO THE RECALL. NOW I AM STUCK WITH A VEHICLE I CAN GET FIXED AND REGISTERED. THE VEHICLE IS MY WORK VEHICLE AND I CAN'T DO ANY WORK/INCOME BECAUSE IT CAN'T BE REGISTERED.PLEASE ADVICE

NHTSA ID
11173311
Incident
Jan 24, 2019
Mileage
300,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 18, 2018

CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAULTY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON UPON STARTUP.

NHTSA ID
11152252
Incident
Nov 1, 2014
Mileage
110,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 30, 2018

ENTIRE MERCEDES DIESEL SPRINTER ENGINE FAILED COMPLETELY AND WILL NEED A NEW ENGINE. POSSIBLE CAUSE IS CRACKED PISTON OR STUCK INJECTOR. THIS HAPPENED WHEN DRIVING, SHORTLY AFTER SERPENTINE BELT AND TRANSMISSION LINE WERE REPLACED, VEHICLE WAS JUST SERVICED, INCLUDING NEW BRAKES, MUFFLER, INSPECTION, OIL CHANGE. ONLY 82,000 MILES! COST WILL BE OVER $11,000! THIS IS A WINNEBAGO VIEW AND ALTHOUGH IT IS NOW OLDER (2007) IT HASN'T BEEN DRIVEN THAT MUCH EACH YEAR.

NHTSA ID
11114523
Incident
Jul 5, 2018
Mileage
82,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 14, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS A RANDOM FAILURE IN WHICH A LIMP MODE OCCURRED AND CAUSED A DRASTIC REDUCTION IN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF PALM SPRINGS (4095 E PALM CANYON DR, PALM SPRINGS, CA 92264, (760) 328-6525) WHO REPLACED THE EGR AND PROVIDED DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO PROGRESS INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE EGR AND ADDITIONAL PARTS. THE PART WAS REPLACED A THIRD TIME DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO SERVICED FOR A MANUFACTURER RECALL (T21) AT HILLTOP CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (3291 AUTO PLAZA DRIVE, RICHMOND, CA 94806, (510) 243-6100). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11054714
Incident
Mar 6, 2015
Engine
Filed Aug 16, 2017

SPRINTER IN LOOSING POWER WHEN ITS GOING TO EVEN LITTLE HILL,AFTER THAT WORKS FINE.CHK WITH SHOP TRANS OK. OTHER SITUATION IS AC VENTS GIVING ONLY COLD AIR FROM TOP VENTS AND SIDE VENTS GIVING FULL HEAT LIKE OVER HOT.

NHTSA ID
11015847
Incident
Jun 11, 2017
Mileage
73,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 19, 2015

I'M REPLACING THE O2 SENSOR FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THREE YEARS. AFTER RESEARCHING IT SEEMS LIKE A COMMON PROBLEM RELATED TO THE RESONATOR. I AM SURPRISED DODGE OR MERCEDES DOES NOT WANT TO OFFER A SOLUTION ESPECIALLY SINCE THE ENGINE IS OTHERWISE RELIABLE. IT'S A CASE OF A CHEAP PART CAUSING A LOT OF GRIEF (AND SOME SAFETY RISK AS YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL GO INTO LIMP MODE.) WITH NO RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THIS MOST RECENT SENSOR REPLACEMENT WILL COST ME $762.00

NHTSA ID
10783444
Incident
Oct 19, 2015
Mileage
106,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 4, 2012

ENGINE DIES DRIVING AT UNKNOWN TIMES (KEY TURN ON) FOUND TEST OF POWER WINDOWS AT SAME TIME STOP DUE TO NO POWER (12VOLTS) ENGINE CUT IN AND OUT BUT STOPS RUNNING. DEAL NEVER FOUND THE TROUBLE. 1 CLICK (RELAY) TURN KEY TO START (STARTER NEVER TURN) TRUCK MITE START 15 MIN OR NEXT DAY . FOUND BAD MFG ENGINE GROUNDING. ADDED GROUND ENGINE BACK TO GROUND POST FIX THE MISSING GROUND. / 2ND THE MFG TURBO RESONATOR SPLIT MAKING LIMP HOME MODE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10478681
Incident
Oct 1, 2012
Mileage
125,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 17, 2011

THIS 2006 WINNEBAGO NAVION (ON A SPRINTER 3500 CHASSIS) HAS SUFFERED TWO FAILURES OF THE TURBOCHARGER RESONATOR. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS THERE IS AN IMMEDIATE AND ALMOST TOTAL LOSS OF POWER AND THE LOSS OF THE ABILITY TO CLIMB HILLS AS THE VEHICLE GOES INTO "LIMP HOME MODE" WITH A TOP SPEED OF 35 MPG ON LEVEL GROUND. THE VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO KEEP UP WITH OR STAY AHEAD OF, OR GET OUT OF THE WAY OF, OTHER TRAFFIC. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS INITIALLY NOT CORRECTLY DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER, AND AFTER TWO ADDITIONAL INCIDENTS THE RESONATOR WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE RESONATOR HAS TOTALLY FAILED A SECOND TIME AND THE DEALER HAS REFUSED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A WELL KNOWN DEFECT WITH THE SPRINTER THAT IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED BY DEALERS OR THE MANUFACTURER. THIS IS THE MOST UNRELIABLE AND UNSAFE VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED OR DRIVEN. I HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE, UNABLE TO GET TO A TURNOUT, AND STILL PARTIALLY BLOCKING AN ACTIVE LANE OF HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED AND PROPERLY REPAIRED, OR THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BUY THEM BACK IF THEY ARE NOT REPAIRABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10430558
Incident
Jun 1, 2009
Mileage
4,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 11, 2011

MY 2006 DODGE SPRINTER 3500 HAS JUST BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH THE TURBO RESONATOR FAILURE THAT WAS EXPECTED. IT WAS EXPECTED BE BECAUSE IT HAS NOW HAPPENED TO ALL THE SPRINTERS I OWN. THE VEHICLE SUFFERS A DRAMATIC LOSS OF POWER AND SPEED WITH NO WARNING. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND WHEN THE VAN IS ON AN UPGRADE AND SUDDENLY LOSES POWER AND SPEED. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN AROUND AS LONG AS THE SPRINTER HAS BEEN OUT AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT. IT IS A DANGER TO PUBLIC AND AN EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE REPAIR TO MAKE. AS FAR I AM CONCERNED, IT A FAILURE OF THE GOVERNMENT TO FORCE THE MANUFACTURER TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND REIMBURSE THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE PAID FOR IT IN THE PAST. *TR

NHTSA ID
10389820
Incident
Mar 9, 2011
Mileage
72,911 mi
Driver assistanceEngineOther / unspecified
Filed Sep 11, 2010

WE HAVE HAD THREE VACATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN RUINED DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE TURBO RESONATOR IN OUR 2006 WINNEBEGO VIEW WITH A 2005 SPRINTER ENGINE. WE HAVE HAD FAILURE GOING OVER THE LOS ANGLES GRAPVINE GRADE, THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, 101 CORRIDOR AND JUST THIS PAST WEEK, THE SIERRA MT. RANGE GOING INTO RENO, NV. ON OUR WAY TO YELLOWSTONE. THREE VACATIONS RUINED, THREE TURBO RESONATORS LATER AND LOTS OF MONEY, TIME AND STRESS. NOT SURE WHY WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RECALL ON THIS PLASTIC PIECE OF JUNK THAT HAS PUT OUR LIVES IN DANGER??? *TR

NHTSA ID
10355033
Incident
Sep 11, 2010
Mileage
31,000 mi
ElectricalEngineExterior lighting+2 more
Filed Apr 23, 2010

2006 DODGE SPRINTER TRUCK. CONSUMER STATES SEVERAL ISSUES WITH VEHICLE LEADING TO BREAK DOWNS *TGW THE DEALER NOTED THE VEHICLE LACKED POWER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD ESPECIALLY LOOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING ON AN INCLINE. ONE YEAR LATER, THE RESONATOR WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN AGAIN ON MARCH 27, 2009. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE LOCK WASHER ON THE LUG NUT FOR THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT TIRE HAD BEEN IMPROPERLY PUT ON THE TIRE. THE BRAKE LIGHT AND TAIL LIGHT BULBS WERE REPLACED. THE EGR VALVE WAS STICKING, THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED, THE TURBO WAS LEAKING OIL IN THE INTAKE TRACK, THE TRANSMISSION ADAPTER PLUG WAS LEAKING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE HARMONIC BALANCER AND WATER PUMP WERE REPLACED.*JB

NHTSA ID
10327422
Incident
Aug 1, 2007
Mileage
50,760 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 13, 2009

VEHICLE IS WINNEBAGO VIEW ON A DODGE SPRINTER 3500 CHASSIS. TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSES ACCELERATION. WILL NOT ENGAGE THE TURBO. WHEN CLIMBING A HILL IT WILL NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 20MPH. THIS HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME WITH ONLY 5,000 MILES AND IT HAPPENED THE SECOND AT 11,000 MILES. BOTH TIMES THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE PLASTIC RESONATOR. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THIS HAD BEEN HAPPENING QUITE OFTEN WITH OTHER OWNERS. IN REVIEWING THE ODI COMPLAINTS I HAVE FOUND THE SAME COMPLAINT REPEATED MANY TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10287198
Incident
Oct 3, 2009
Mileage
11,500 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 16, 2008

SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WHILE CLIMBING HILL IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. COULD PROCEED AT ONLY 5 MPH TO GET OFF ROAD INTO SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT. HAD TO BE TOWED TO A SAFE OVERNIGHT LOCATION. WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN IT HAPPENED. WE WERE VERY LUCKY NOT TO BE HIT FROM BEHIND. FAILED PART WAS A PLASTIC "TURBO RESONATOR". REPLACED BY DEALER. CODE #43358. *TR

NHTSA ID
10245738
Incident
Oct 8, 2008
Mileage
18,909 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 14, 2008

TURBO RESONATOR FAILURE. PART HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND DODGE DEALER SAYS THIS IS ALL I CAN KEEP DOING. SPRINTER WINNEBAGO ONLY HAS 10,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10242129
Incident
Jul 9, 2008
Mileage
7,500 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 1, 2008

I PURCHASED A 2006 DODGE SPRINTER 3500 AS A 2007 WINNEBAGO VIEW CLASS C MOTORHOME. IN ABOUT JANUARY OF 2008 I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND THE PLASTIC TURBO RESONATOR WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. ON JUNE 6, 2008 ON TRIP FROM TULSA TO FRISCO, TX AGAIN EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER AND ANOTHER PLASTIC TURBO RESONATOR WAS PLACED ON THE VEHICLE AT 4642 TOTAL MILES. HAVING HAD TWO FAILURES OF THIS RESONATOR WITHIN A YEAR AND UNDER 5000 MILES, I FILL THERE IS A SERIOUS DEFECT IN THE ORIGINAL RESONATOR AND THE IMPROVED ONE THAT ALSO FAILED. THE LAST FAILURE OCCURRED ON A TURNPIKE AND MY SPEEDS RANGED FROM 35 MPH UPHILL TO 55 MPH DOWNHILL. A VEHICLE GOING THAT SLOW AND BEING UNABLE TO ACCELERATE TO AVOID PROBLEMS IS A DEFINITE HAZARD TO US AND OTHER MOTORISTS. FROM WHAT I HEAR FROM DODGE DEALERS NO FIX TO THE PROBLEM IS ANTICIPATED. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE! *TR

NHTSA ID
10236679
Incident
Jun 6, 2008
Mileage
4,642 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 24, 2008

2006 DODGE SPRINTER 3500 TURBO RESONATOR FAILURES. MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED THE ABOVE UNIT IN THE FORM OF A WINNEBAGO VIEW. ON OUR FIRST TRIP WE HAD TO CROSS A SMALL MOUNTAIN PASS IN THE SHENANDHOAS. A FEW MINUTES IN TO THE CLIMB, I NOTICED THE POWER DROPPING OFF. WE WERE ALREADY ALL THE WAY IN THE RIGHT LANE, HOWEVER; THE VEHICLE LOST SO MUCH POWER THE LARGE TRUCKS ALSO IN THE RIGHT LANE HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID HITTING THE VEHICLE. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER AND THEY EXPLAINED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SUFFERED A FAILURE OF THE TURBO RESONATOR AND THAT IT WOULD BE REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. THE INCIDENT WAS MOST UNFORTUNATE. WHILE THE FAMILY TRIP WAS PRETTY MUCH RUINED, WINNEBAGO DID EVENTUALLY HELP PAY FOR THE RENTAL VEHICLE COSTS THAT WE HAD TO ABSORB TO GET THE FAMILY AND CONTENTS OF THE RV HOME UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE SUFFERED AN IDENTICAL FAILURE. AFTER LOOKING IN TO THE PROBLEM ON-LINE, WE DISCOVERED THAT THERE IS A HUGE COMMUNITY OF SPRINT OWNERS THAT HAVE SUFFERED THE SAME FAILURE, MANY OF THEM WITH MULTIPLE FAILURES. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHICH DODGE AND MERCEDES REFUSE TO RESOLVE. THE MANUFACTURERS NEED TO DESIGN A PERMANENT FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM AND ISSUE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10232226
Incident
Jun 15, 2008
Mileage
19,425 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 20, 2008

REPEATED FAILURE OF TURBO RESONATOR ON DODGE SPRINTER 3500 / WINNABAGO VIEW RESULTING IN SUDDEN LOSS OF 90% OF POWER. PART CRACKS OPEN CAUSING LOSS OF TURBO PRESSURE. ENGINE SENSOR THINKS TURBO HAS FAILED SHUTTING DOWN ENGINE INTO LIMP MODE RESULTING IN 90% LOSS OF POWER. SAME PART HAS FAILED TWICE IN 2,500 MILES. BOTH TIMES HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATES HIGHWAYS IN TRAFFIC AND NEARLY RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT ON I 75 SOUTH OF ATLANTA LAST YEAR AND ON I 20 WEST OF ATLANTA LAST WEEKEND. IN BOTH CASES HIGH SPEED VEHICLES PASSING ON BOTH SIDES CREATED AN EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS. USER GROUPS REPORT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. DEALER HAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY BUT REFUSES TO ALLOW KNOWN 3RD PART SOLUTION (DESCRIBED BELOW) THAT PERMANENTLY SOLVES THE PROBLEM TO BE USED AND THREATENS CANCELLATION OF ENTIRE VEHICLE WARRANTY IF PART IS INSTALLED. INSTEAD DEALER INSTALLS SAME PART THAT HAS A HISTORY OF REPEATED FAILURE AND SAYS "GOOD LUCK". THE PROBLEM IS WELL-KNOWN TO SPRINTER OWNERS. IT IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON USER BLOGS SUCH AS: HTTP://SPRINTER-SOURCE.COM/FORUM/FORUMDISPLAY.PHP?F=108, HTTP://AUTOS.GROUPS.YAHOO.COM/GROUP/SPRINTER/MESSAGE/94 HTTP://AUTOS.GROUPS.YAHOO.COM/GROUP/SPRINTER/MESSAGE/95 IT IS ALSO INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT ACCORDING TO THE JAMES F. RIORDAN COMPANY, INC, A LOCAL DODGE DEALER INITIATED AN EFFORT TO CREATE A "PERMANENT SOLUTION" TO THE PROBLEM, THE RESONATOR ELIMINATOR: HTTP://WWW.RIORDANCO.COM/OUR_PRODUCTS_CATALOG.HTM#SPRINTERTURBORESONATOR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10231711
Incident
Jun 7, 2008
Mileage
2,500 mi

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 .