2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

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.

Problem: Mercedes-benz usa (mbusa) is recalling certain model year 2002- 2003 sprinter 2500 and 3500 vans sold as dodge and freightliner vehicles. The intake manifolds may have corroded. A chemical reaction involving sulfur in the diesel fuel that takes place under certain conditions can lead to the formation of sulfuric acid in the exhaust channel of the intake manifold.

Risk: Intake manifold corrosion may lead to an exhaust gas leak, damage to the fuel return line which could cause a fuel leak, and heat damage to the insulation at the fire wall. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the intake manifold free of charge. Chrysler, llc will notify owners of dodge sprinters and mbusa will notify owners freightliner sprinters. This recall is an expansion of a previous recall (please see recall campaign 09v-418). The safety recall began on october 11, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403 or sprinter at 1-843-695-5031.

Problem: Sprinter is recalling certain model year 2002 through 2003 vans sold as dodge and freightliner vehicles. The intake manifolds may have corroded. A chemical reaction involving sulfur in the diesel fuel that takes place under certain conditions can lead to the formation of sulfuric acid in the exhaust channel of the intake manifold.

Risk: Intake manifold corrosion may lead to an exhaust gas leak, damage to the fuel return line which could cause a fuel leak, and heat damage to the insulation at the front wall.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the intake manifold free of charge. Chrysler, llc is handling the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. The recall began on june 4, 2010. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403 or sprinter at 843-695-5031.

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.

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.