2001 Dodge Sprinter 2500

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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.

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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.

I RECENTLY BOUGHT A 2001 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO AND THE HEATER DO NOT WORK ON THE CAR. NOW THAT IT IS WINTER AND VERY COLD I DO NOT HAVE ANY HEAT AT ALL. MY WINDOWS WILL NOT DEFROST AND IT IS BECOMING A HUGE PROBLEM. I SEE THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM AFTER DOING MORE RESEARCH AND WHY HAVEN'T IT BEEN RECALLED YET. ACCORDING TO REPORTS THAT I HAVE PULLED UP FOR THE REPAIR THE PART ALONE IS RUNNING ABOUT $130 AND I DON'T EVEN WANT TO DISCUSS THE COST OF LABOR. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO? JW *TR