2007 Dodge Sprinter Problems

My two nearby dealers (Hudson Valley Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and Dutchess Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram) both state they sold their tools to work on sprinter vans and refuse to complete the recall. I currently have no nearby options to complete this safety recall, and i cannot get my vehicle inspected.

I have received a letter from the FCA US LLC regarding recalls for both airbags. I have called 3-4 times requesting this service. Because the van is technically a dodge (although made by mercedes, back in 2007) there is no Dodge dealerships that will agree to service the vehicle. The chrysler/dodge dealerships don't service sprinters, as they haven't been rebranded by dodge since 2007, and the mercedes dealerships either don't have access to the Dodge recall system, or are unwilling to assist, as they are not affiliated with the recall. I called 1800- 992-1997, to speak with chrysler, (Case # [XXX]) and spent another 42 minutes on the phone yesterday, still unable to find a solution. They called another handful of dealerships, seemingly not believing that Dodge dealerships would be unwilling to service a dodge sprinter. They stated that I could probably bring it to mercedes sprinter and have the work done, and then apply for reimbursement, although they would not guarantee me in writing that they would cover the expense. I have been working on a solution for probably close to the last 6 months. I have recently been forced to drive this vehicle daily, which makes me more concerned, as my children are frequently inside. “INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 (NA) DODGE SPRINTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, FAILED TO START, AND DECELERATED WHILE DRIVING ON A WEEKLY BASIS. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOWBIN DODGE (275 AUTO MALL DR, HENDERSON, NV 89014, (702) 558-3800) WHERE AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. WHEN THE CONTACT ARRIVED AT THE DEALER, THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NO APPOINTMENT IN THEIR SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO CHAPMAN DODGE SAHARA (3175 E SAHARA AVE, LAS VEGAS, NV 89104, (702) 457-1061) WHERE THE STAFF WAS EXTREMELY RUDE AND SHUNNED THE CONTACT AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT AT THE FIRST DODGE DEALER. AGAIN, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE APPOINTMENT DID NOT SHOW UP IN THEIR SYSTEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,300.

THE ROOF TOP AIR CONDITIONER UNITS ARE NOT PROPERLY SEAL AND LEAK RAIN WAITER. THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE SPRINTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR SLIDING DOOR CLOSED ERRONEOUSLY, STRIKING THE CONTACT ABRUPTLY ON THE HEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

ROOF AROUND THE ROOF-MOUNTED AIR CONDITIONER LEAKS WATER AFTER A SUSTAINED STORM. HAS BEEN IN DEALER SERVICE THREE TIMES, AND THE LEAK PERSISTS. OTHERS WITH THIS VEHICLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. HTTP://SPRINTER-SOURCE.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=10336&PAGE=1 WE THINK THESE ARE FIXED, BECAUSE FOR A SHORT TIME AFTER BEING IN THE SHOP, IT STOPS, BUT IT ALWAYS COMES BACK. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE SPRINTER CARGO VAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK FASTENING STRAPS BECAME LOOSE, WHICH CAUSED THE PLASTIC VALVE IN THE FUEL TANK TO DETACH. AS A RESULT, THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V325000 (FUEL SYSTEM) FOR CERTAIN 2007 DODGE SPRINTERS. THE DEALER (PETERSON DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM, 5801 E GATE BLVD, NAMPA, ID 83687) STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 196,000.

I HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE FACT THAT MODEL YEAR 2007 DODGE SPRINTER VANS HAVE TWO SERIOUS PRODUCT DEFECTS: 1.A DEFECTIVE FUEL GAUGE WHICH APPARENTLY READS HALF FULL WHEN THE VEHICLE RUNS OUT OF GASOLINE. 2.VERY LOW FUEL ECONOMY OF ABOUT 5 MPG RATHER THAN THE EXPECTED 15 MPG. THE COMBINATION OF HIGH GAS CONSUMPTION AND A DEFECTIVE FUEL GAUGE RESULTS IN THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY STOPPING WHEN THE GASOLINE TANK IS EMPTY. I AM AWARE OF FOUR VEHICLES OPERATED BY A SMALL COMPANY IN CHICAGO ALL OF WHICH HAVE THIS PROBLEM. BOTH THE DEALER, SHERMAN DODGE IN SKOKIE, IL AND CHRYSLER LLC HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THE DEFECTS FOR OVER A MONTH. I PERSONALLY HAVE OVER 38 YEARS OF BUSINESS EXPERIENCE (13 AS A CONSULTANT) IN THE COMMERCIAL VEHICLE INDUSTRY INCLUDING EXPERIENCE AS AN ENGINEER AND EXPERT WITNESS IN PERSONAL INJURY CASES INVOLVING POTENTIAL PRODUCT DEFECTS. BASED ON MY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, IT IS MY PROFESSIONAL OPINION THAT THE PRODUCT DEFECTS ON THESE VEHICLES REPRESENT A SERIOUS RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH TO THE OWNERS AND DRIVERS OF THESE VEHICLES, AS WELL AS, OTHER PEOPLE WHO MAY ENCOUNTER ONE OF THESE STALLED VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES ARE UNEXPECTEDLY STALLING ON THE BUSY STREETS AND EXPRESSWAYS IN CHICAGO. THE DRIVER MAY NOT HAVE THE TIME OR OPPORTUNITY TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE LOCATION BEFORE IT ROLLS TO A STOP. OTHER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ARE HAULING GASOLINE IN CANS IN THEIR VEHICLES TO RESCUE THESE STALLED VEHICLES. HAULING GASOLINE IN A CAN, IN A VEHICLE IS NOT A GOOD SITUATION. STANDING ON A BUSY STREET OR EXPRESSWAY WITH TRUCKS AND CAR SPEEDING PAST WHILE POUR GASOLINE FROM A CAN INTO ONE OF THESE STALLED DEFECTIVE SPRINTERS IS VERY RISKY. I BELIEVE IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT HAPPENS AS A RESULT OF ONE OF THESE DODGE SPRINTERS STALLING UNEXPECTEDLY. ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN IMMEDIATELY TO CORRECT THESE PRODUCT DEFECTS BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED. *TR

I GOT SEPARATIONS IN A SIZE OF A 1/2 - 1 INCH ON THE DRIVER FRONT TIRE, LOOK LIKE THEY ARE CUT OUT WITH A KNIFE ALL AROUND THE TIRE. ALL THE OTHER TIRES HAVE THE SAME THING, BUT NOT AS BIG. SOME PARTS ALREADY FLOW AWAY. THE RUBBER FEELS LIKE IT LOST THE SOFTENER AND GOES VERY HARD. JUST BY RANDOM, I HAVE SEEN IT. I ALREADY CHANGED THE TIRES TO NEW ONES, BUT I SAVED 2 TIRES OF THE DAMAGED TIRES. *TR

ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES MARKETS THE NAVION MOTOR HOME AND THE USER CANNOT EASILY AND ROUTINELY CHECK THE AIR PRESSURE IN THE DUAL REAR TIRES BECAUSE WINNEBAGO COVERED UP THE VALVE STEMS WITH WHEEL COVERS---TO CHECK PRESSURE ONE MUST SECURE A VARIETY OF TOOLS AND REMOVE THE WHEEL COVERS TO GAIN ACCESS. THIS IS DIFFICULT AND THE RESULT IS THAT OWNERS WILL NOT ROUTINELY CHECK THE AIR PRESSURE TO BE ASSURED OF SAFE OPERATION. *TR

2007 WINNEBAGO VIEW ,RIGHT SIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR HAS A LARGE BLIND SPOT. DUE TO WHAT I BELIEVE IS A DEFECTIVE MIRROR AS IT IS 2 INCHES SHORTER THAN THE DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR. THE MIRROR WAS MADE FOR A STANDARD SIZE VAN, NOT A LARGE MOTORHOME TYPE BODY. THE SELLING DEALER,WINNEBAGO,OR DODGE DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE SPRINTER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT WARNING. ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL IT OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE ALSO SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE CONTACT DROVE TO THE DEALER AT 5 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BATTERY CABLE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,013 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 800. UPDATED 01-29-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE HAPPENED AGAIN. UPDATED

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE SPRINTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE BULBS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 273,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VALVE STEMS ON ALL FOUR TIRES FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE VALVE STEMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 68,000.

“During inspection, both rear main leaf springs were found cracked symmetrically due to fatigue failure. Similar rear leaf spring defect was previously recalled on adjacent VIN ranges. Failure affects rear ride height and vehicle stability. No signs of overload or impact damage observed.”