2008 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Sep 17, 2021 · 7 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Sprinter 3500 years
Not enough data 1st of 22 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Freightliner Sprinter 3500. That is the most of any Sprinter 3500 model year in the database (22 years). The most reported problem area is air bags (4 complaints, 57%). There are 6 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.

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Most common 2008 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 problems

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

Air Bags4
Wheels2 · ~65,779 mi
Steering1 · ~9,741 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Air Bags457%———
Wheels229%65,779——
Steering114%9,741——

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

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2011, with 2 complaints
2011: 2201122015: 1201512016: 2201622017: 1201712019: 120191

n = 7 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2008 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 recalls (6)

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

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleJul 28, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V478000 · 43,689 vehicles

Problem: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2007-2009 Freightliner and Dodge Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled into the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began on September 29, 2017. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Note: This recall fully supersedes recall 15V-354 and partially supersedes recalls 16V-379 and 17V-025.

Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator moduleFeb 10, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V077000 · 136,361 vehicles

Problem: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (Daimler Vans) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Dodge Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2006, to July 31, 2008, 2007-2014 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2006, to July 1, 2014, and 2010-2014 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2010, to July 1, 2014. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Daimler Vans will notify the Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner owners and Fiat Chrysler will notify the Dodge owners. The respective dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2017. Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner owners may contact Daimler Van's customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Dodge owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Seat beltsMar 30, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V210000 · 3,437 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-benz is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 2500 and 3500 sprinter vehicles equipped with an optional three-seat bench in the passenger compartment. The seat benches in the second seating row may have been equipped with safety belts that do not meet the minimum requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard 208, "occupant protection in interior impact," and motor vehicle safety standard 209, "seat belt assemblies." first, those safety belts may not lock as required. Second, the assembly loop may not perform to minimum force requirements.

Risk: In the event of a crash, the safety belts in these vehicles may not perform as required such that a seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of injury or death in the event of a crash.

Fix: Mercedes-benz will inspect and replace any seat belt assemblies that do not meet the requirements free of charge. The safety recall began on july 15, 2011. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 843-695-5000.

Equipment:appliance:air conditionerNov 19, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V456000 · 269 vehicles

Problem: Cues, inc. Is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 service vehicles built on various chassis equipped with carrier airv ceiling units, model nos. 68rv0010ba, 68rv0012ca, and 68rv0010ea. The heater element in these assemblies may be defective which could cause the unit to create smoke or sparks.

Risk: This defect could result in a fire.

Fix: Cues is working with carrier to remedy the affected vehicles. Repairs will be made by carrier free of charge. Please see carrier's defect report 09e-053. The safety recall began on january 5, 2010. Owners may contact carrier at 1-877-584-7059 or cues at 1-407-849-0190.

Power train:driveline:driveshaftJul 29, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V352000 · 73 vehicles

Problem: Sprinter is recalling 79 my 2008 dodge and freightliner 3500 trucks. Some of the left drive shafts on the rear axle which were labeled with the charge indicator "s," may contain cracks at the radius between the shaft and the flange.

Risk: These cracks may cause a breakage of the drive shaft increasing the risk of crash.

Fix: Dealers will check the left rear drive shaft for charge indicator "s" and replace it free of charge. The recall began on october 6, 2008. Owners may contact sprinter at 1-843-695-5000.

Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinderMar 11, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V110000 · 34 vehicles

Problem: Sprinter is recalling 34 my 2007-2008 dodge and freightliner sprinter 3500 cargo vans. Some of these vans may not have had the correct brake components installed.

Risk: This could result in poor braking performance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will install the appropriate master brake cylinders and brake fluid reservoirs. The recall began on june 30, 2008. Owners may contact sprinter at 1-800-992-1997.

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.

2008 freightliner sprinter. Consumer writes in regards to airbag safety recall. *ld the consumer stated he was in contact with the dealer and manufacturer but, was unable to get an understanding if the vehicle had a recall and what dealer would be willing to complete. *js *dt*dt *js *js *js

Air Bags · received Nov 19, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11280094

Takata recall for driver's side front airbag notified me a couple of years ago and then notified me to contact the local mercedes-benz/daimler dealer, which i did, but they say they have not got a replacement to install in my vehicle. I had already had the passenger airbag replaced on a similar…

Air Bags · received Oct 23, 2017 · NHTSA complaint 11035904

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 freightliner sprinter 3500. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v354000 (air bags) and stated that the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall…

Air Bags · received May 3, 2016 · NHTSA complaint 10862826

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 freightliner sprinter 3500. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v354000 (air bags) several months after receiving a notice for nhtsa campaign number: 16v077000 (air bags). The contact called the manufacturer for several months with no response…

Air Bags · received Feb 16, 2016 · NHTSA complaint 10836477

Approx. 6:00am monday morning july 6th of 2015 i had a flat tire on the passenger side when i went to get in my truck for work. Upon inspection the leak was seeping thru the steel inner surface of the rim. Approx. 2 inches away from valve stem area. For the time being i decided to have the like new…

Wheels · received Sep 1, 2015 · NHTSA complaint 10760892

Other Freightliner Sprinter 3500 years

← 2007 Sprinter 3500 · 2009 Sprinter 3500 →

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Freightliner Sprinter 3500?

Owners most often report air bags, wheels, steering problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 4 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2008 Freightliner Sprinter 3500?

Yes, 6 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2008 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Sprinter 3500 model years, the 2008 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.