RoadVitals

2003 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 Jan 20, 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.
2
Latest Mar 24, 2008
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 2003 Sprinter 3500, most frequently naming the seat belts and tires & wheels categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 52 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

  • Seat belts150.0%
  • Tires & wheels150.0%

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
08V134000

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Mar 24, 2008
334 units potentially affected
The defect: DAIMLER BUSES OF NORTH CAROLINA (DBNC) IS RECALLING 334 MY 2005-2006 SPRINTER 2500 AND MY 2003, 2005-2007 SPRINTER 3500 BUSES EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATION IN MOTOR VEHICLES." THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER IN A CERTAIN SPOT WITHIN THE DEFINED THRESHOLD AREA.
The risk: THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.
The remedy: DBNC IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E095). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR DBNC AT 1-905-403-7807.
DAIMLER BUSES NORTH CAROLINAView on NHTSA.gov
03V082000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

Mar 6, 2003
281 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN VANS, A CAPACITOR WITHIN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT FOR THE AIR BAG CAN CRACK AND THE AIR BAG MAY NOT ACTIVATE AS DESIGNED. THIS CONDITION IS SIGNALED TO THE DRIVER BY THE SRS-WARNING LAMP.
The risk: THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY CORRECTLY IN A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A SEAT OCCUPANT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT FOR THE AIR BAG. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 14, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER INTERNATIONAL AT 1-704-655-1052.
DAIMLERCHRYSLER MANUFACTUR INTERNATIONALManufacturer number C14View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Seat belts
Filed Jan 20, 2013

PASSENGER SEAT BELT KEPT LOCKING WHILE VAN WAS MOVING AND THEN WOULD NOT RETRACT AT ALL. DRIVER SIDE RETRACTS BUT VERY SLOWLY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10493560
Incident
Dec 21, 2012
Mileage
120,250 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Mar 21, 2011

2003 SPRINTER 3500 SHC, UNIT 1 AND UNIT 2 WERE WESTBOUND ON THE TURNPIKE WHEN A SET OF DUAL TIRES CAME OFF UNIT 1 AND STRUCK UNIT 2. BOTH UNITS SUBSEQUENTLY PULL OVER ON THE NORTH SHOULDER. *BF THE LEFT REAR DUALS SHEERED OFF THE HUB. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0062-89)*JB UPDATED 03/29/11 *BF

NHTSA ID
10393173
Incident
Feb 17, 2011

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

9004275

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:IMMOBILIZER/PROXIMITY:KEY/SENDER

KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not program to the vehicle, use the "AC" NIC level part and submit a part warranty.

9004275

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:IMMOBILIZER/PROXIMITY:KEY/SENDER

KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not program to the vehicle, use the "AC" NIC level part and submit a part warranty.

23-015-20

EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE

Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19

08-049-20

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.

LI09.40-N-070781

ENGINE

Check engine light on and fault codes P3005A9, P3005FF, P30074B in CDI Control Unit

3100619

EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE

Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.

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

Sprinter 3500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2011010—
2010300—
2009000—
2008610—
2007120—
2006214049.6
2005142037.7
2004210—
2003Viewing220—
2002000—

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.