2006 Dodge Sprinter 2500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 12, 2021 · 34 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Sprinter 2500 years
Far more complaints than other years 2nd of 10 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 34 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Dodge Sprinter 2500. That ranks 2nd out of 10 Sprinter 2500 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (13 complaints, 38%), typically at around 24,500 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash, 1 fire, 3 injuries. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2006 Dodge Sprinter 2500 problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Engine and Engine Cooling13 · ~24,500 mi
Power Train7 · ~34,000 mi
Unknown or Other4 · ~65,000 mi
Electrical System3 · ~3,527 mi
Engine2 · ~45,836 mi
Exterior Lighting2 · ~3,527 mi
Fuel System, Diesel2 · ~19,445 mi
Equipment1 · ~2,890 mi
Fuel/propulsion System1 · ~47,671 mi
Fuel System, Other1 · ~17,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Engine and Engine Cooling1338%24,500——
Power Train721%34,000——
Unknown or Other412%65,000——
Electrical System39%3,527——
Engine26%45,836——
Exterior Lighting26%3,527——
Fuel System, Diesel26%19,445——
Equipment13%2,890——
Fuel/propulsion System13%47,671——
Fuel System, Other13%17,000——
Seat Belts13%18,000——
Service Brakes13%———
Steering13%———
Tires13%20,000——
Visibility/wiper13%54,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2010, with 10 complaints
2008: 4200842009: 4200942010: 102010102011: 5201152014: 2201422016: 2201622017: 2201722018: 1201812019: 2201922021: 220212

n = 34 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2006 Dodge Sprinter 2500 recalls (5)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel; service brakes, hydraulicNov 17, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V833000 · 17,501 vehicles

Problem: 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."

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.

Fix: 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.

Equipment adaptive/mobilityDec 10, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V651000 · 3 vehicles

Problem: Ilderton conversion is recalling 3 my 2006 sprinter dodge 2500 vans equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 404, "platform lift installations 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.

Risk: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.

Fix: Ilderton conversion 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 ilderton conversion at 1-800-859-6066.

Equipment adaptive/mobilityDec 10, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V652000 · 3 vehicles

Problem: Ilderton conversion is recalling 3 my 2006 dodge sprinter 2500 vans equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These lifts fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 403, "platform lift system accessible for motor vehicles." the anti-stow interlock may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user. The pressure sensing switch that detects the presence of weight on the platform was not adjusted to the necessary sensitivity level. The lift could stow even though someone or something is still on the lift.

Risk: A lift occupant can be injured should the lift begin to stow unintentionally.

Fix: Ilderton conversion is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e097). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or ilderton conversion at 1-800-859-6066.

Steering:columnJul 24, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V339000 · 10 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: The operator may lose steering ability of the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Interior lightingJul 13, 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V299000 · 4,433 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: The switching contacts of the lamp may cause a short circuit of the rear lamp increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA21002) — opened Sep 17, 2021, still open.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Sprinter 2500. The contact received notification of Emissions Recall T21 Reprogram Engine Control Unit. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and carbon monoxide fumes were coming into the cabin of the travel…

Engine and Engine Cooling · received Oct 12, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11436413

Steering wheel is not too good and interior lighting lamp I have issues

Steering · received Aug 19, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11429784

T21 recall for emissions system not listed on your site

Unknown or Other · received Jun 17, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11220657

Vehicle was recalled for an emission control devise issue. I phoned the dodge dealer where i had my van serviced a few times to schedule the recall work. The service manager said they no longer service the 2006 dodge/mercedes sprinters. I went ahead and had my vehicle smog tested. It passed. I…

Unknown or Other · received Apr 3, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11193637

2006 dodge sprinter. Consumer writes in regards to emissions safety recall. *ld *js

Unknown or Other · received Feb 28, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11074823

Other Dodge Sprinter 2500 years

← 2005 Sprinter 2500 · 2007 Sprinter 2500 →

See all Dodge Sprinter 2500 problems by year, every Dodge model, or the Dodge VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Dodge Sprinter 2500?

Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, power train, unknown or other problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 13 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2006 Dodge Sprinter 2500?

Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2006 Dodge Sprinter 2500 a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Sprinter 2500 model years, the 2006 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.