RoadVitals

2005 Freightliner Sprinter 2500

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.
3
Latest Nov 6, 2013
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.
3
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 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Freightliner Sprinter 2500, most frequently naming the body & structure, electrical and exterior lighting categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year.

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

  • Body & structure120.0%
  • Electrical120.0%
  • Exterior lighting120.0%
  • Powertrain (other)120.0%
  • Visibility120.0%

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

3 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
07V299000

INTERIOR LIGHTING

Jul 13, 2007
4,433 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH REAR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM, THE INTERIOR LAMP IS EQUIPPED WITH AN 18W LAMP AND A SCATTERING LENS. IN EXTREMELY HOT AND HUMID CONDITIONS, THE COMBINATION OF HEAT AND HUMIDITY, AND THE HEAT FROM THE LAMP DUE TO EXTREME LONG TERM OPERATION, CAN DISTORT THE SCATTERING LENS.
The risk: THE SWITCHING CONTACTS OF THE LAMP MAY CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT OF THE REAR LAMP INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR INTERIOR LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE WITH A MODIFIED VERSION WHICH IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE IMPACTS OF HEAT AND HUMIDITY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 17, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL AT 1-843-695-5041.
DAIMLERCHRYSLER MANUFACTURING INTLView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structureVisibility
Filed Nov 6, 2013

2005 FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER VAN 2500 WITH NO SIDE DOOR OR REAR DOOR GLASS. THE DRIVER MUST USE THE OUTSIDE MIRRORS TO MERGE IN TRAFFIC. THE OUTSIDE MIRRORS THAT ARE NOT HEATED WILL FOG UP WHEN DRIVING IN DIFFERENT ELEVATIONS CAUSING THE DRIVER TO BE BLIND. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHERE ALL FULL SIZE COFFIN VANS WITH NO SIDE OR REAR GLASS SHOULD HAVE HEATED OUTSIDE MIRRORS FROM THE FACTORY, THIS APPLIES TO ANY MAKE FULL SIDE COFFIN VANS, CARGO VANS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10551063
Incident
Nov 6, 2013
Mileage
139,200 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Sep 27, 2011

TURN SIGNAL FAILURE AT CONTROL ARM ON STEERING COLUMN. *TT

NHTSA ID
10427687
Incident
Sep 1, 2009
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 13, 2008

WHILE CLIMBING A MOUNTAIN INCLINE (6%) IN N.C.,WE HAD SUDDEN LOSE OF POWER IN OUR 2005 FREIGHTLINER (DODGE) SPRINTER. THIS WAS OUR FIRST FAILURE. THE TURBO RESONATOR SEPARATED CAUSING ALMOST COMPLETE LOSE OF POWER. THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS HAD THERE BEEN TRAFFIC. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL TO REPLACE THIS ITEM WITH A MORE RELIABLE ONE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10237978
Incident
Aug 11, 2008
Mileage
41,000 mi

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Freightliner Sprinter 2500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024000—
2023000—
2022110—
20210120—
20207170—
20194360—
2018271—
2017051—
2016191—
2015280—
2014340—
2013240—
2012220—
2011141—
2010451—
2009241—
2008551—
2007051—
2006330—
2005Viewing330—
2004030—
2003650—
2002040—
2001020—

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.