Sprinter 3500 Problems by Year
Sprinter 3500 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 3500 year: 2005, 2006. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2006 3500: 21 complaints, 4 recalls
- 2005 3500: 14 complaints, 2 recalls
- 2008 3500: 6 complaints, 1 recall
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2007 3500: 1 complaint, 2 recalls
- 2003 3500: 2 complaints, 2 recalls
- 2004 3500: 2 complaints, 1 recall
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Sprinter 3500 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 21 | 3 | 0 |
| Tires | 8 | 3 | 0 |
| Power Train | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Structure | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Electrical System | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Sprinter 3500 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 3500 | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2010 3500 | 3 | 0 | — | Tires | |
| 2008 3500 | 6 | 1 | — | Tires | |
| 2007 3500 | 1 | 2 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2006 3500 | 21 | 4 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2005 3500 | 14 | 2 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2004 3500 | 2 | 1 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 2003 3500 | 2 | 2 | — | Seat Belts |
More from Sprinter: all Sprinter models · VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Sprinter 3500 years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2005 (14), 2006 (21) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 3500 year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Sprinter 3500?
Engine and Engine Cooling, with 21 complaints across 3 model years.
How many recalls does the Sprinter 3500 have?
6 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.