2006 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Aug 23, 2018 · 3 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Sprinter 2500 years
Not enough data 7th of 22 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Freightliner Sprinter 2500. That ranks 7th out of 22 Sprinter 2500 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (2 complaints, 67%), typically at around 23,300 miles. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year.

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

Compare with another car

Most common 2006 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 problems

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

Engine and Engine Cooling2 · ~23,300 mi
Fuel System, Gasoline1 · ~5,000 mi
Tires1 · ~73,443 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Engine and Engine Cooling267%23,300——
Fuel System, Gasoline133%5,000——
Tires133%73,443——

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

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2009, with 1 complaints
2009: 1200912012: 1201212018: 120181

n = 3 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2006 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 recalls (3)

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.

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.

Recent owner reports

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

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 freightliner sprinter 2500 equipped with antares comfort a5 tires, size: lt225/75r16 118/16s 10pr, dot numbers: kbu5114 (passenger side) and kbu51214 (driver side). While driving various speeds, the vehicle shook violently. The contact stopped the vehicle and discovered…

Tires · received Aug 23, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11121968

The turbo resonator on these vehicles is a known failure issue, this vehicle has experienced two failures while still under warranty. The 2nd failed at 70,000, the manufacturer is quite willing to replace under warranty but despite numerous product changes the (q5 is the latest variant) the…

Engine and Engine Cooling · received May 3, 2012 · NHTSA complaint 10457354

I was driving on i-10 just west of palm springs climbing a hill when my vehicle suddenly lost power. The turbo resonator had failed, causing lack of engine power. My van suddenly slowed from 70 mph to 35 mph. Traffic from behind me had to react quickly to pass me. I was able to continue to a dodge…

Engine and Engine Cooling · received May 26, 2009 · NHTSA complaint 10270013

Other Freightliner Sprinter 2500 years

← 2005 Sprinter 2500 · 2007 Sprinter 2500 →

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

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Frequently asked questions

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

Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, fuel system, gasoline, tires problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 2 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2006 Freightliner Sprinter 2500?

Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2006 Freightliner 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 too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.