2004 Dodge Sprinter 2500

Routine

Owners filed 12 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 3 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System3
000
Electronic Stability Control (esc)2
000
Tires › Valve1
000
Tires1
000
Power Train1
000
Exterior Lighting1
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Gas Recirculation Valve (egr Valve)1
000
Engine and Engine Cooling1
000
Engine1
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel16V833000
Filed Nov 17, 201617,501 vehiclesDaimler Vans Usa, Llc

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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 › Column08V339000
Filed Jul 24, 200810 vehiclesSprinter Engineering & Compliance Suppor

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.

Interior Lighting07V299000
Filed Jul 13, 20074,433 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Manufacturing Intl

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Gas Recirculation Valve (egr Valve)
Filed Aug 11, 2023257,600 milesCA

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Sprinter 2500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway with the ignition key turned to the off position however, the vehicle remained on, causing the battery to be drained. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with EGR valve failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with ignition failure. The vehicle was not repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 257,600.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 5, 2022131,000 milesCA

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Sprinter 2500. The contact stated the backlight of the instrument panel had remained illuminated after the vehicle was turned off, and remained constantly illuminated. The failure had been ongoing for the past three years. The contact stated that the failure drained the battery; requiring the battery to be replaced. The contact stated that the failure was due to a Manufacturer's Campaign Number: T21. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer and the recall repair was completed. The contact stated that after the repair, the failure had returned and that the vehicle could not be repaired a second time under the original recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 7, 2020124,000 milesCA

THE T21 RECALL HAS COMPLETELY RUINED MY PERFECTLY MAINTAINED AND STABLE WORK VEHICLE. INITIALLY AFTER HAVING THE RECALL DONE IT LEFT MY BATTERY DEAD AS IT LEFT COMPONENTS RUNNING...IT HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP FOR 5 MONTHS SINCE THE RECALL THEY KEEP THROWING FIXES AT IT WHICH NEVER SEEM TO WORK! THEY HAVE REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, EGR, 2 PCMS, AND NUMEROUS OTHER PARTS. IT STILL HAS NO POWER AND SURGES AND IS BLOWING BLACK SMOKE OUT OF THE EXHAUST. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL FOR THE T21 RECALL AS MY VAN IS STILL BROKEN AND NO CAN SEEM TO FIX IT. I AM DISAPPOINTED YOU WOULD FORCE A RECALL WITHOUT PROPER INVESTIGATION FIRST. MY VAN IS USELESS NOW AND ITS COST ME 1000'S OF DOLLARS IN LOST WORK!

Engine
Filed Oct 2, 2019390,000 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE SPRINTER 2500. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE AUXILIARY FAN TURNED ON, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: T21 FOR THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 390,000.

Power Train
Filed Aug 13, 2019114,600 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURER RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO WALNUT CREEK CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (2404 N MAIN ST, WALNUT CREEK, CA 94596, (888) 377-2513) TO BE SERVICED PER THE RECALL. AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE ENGINE FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE AND ASKED FOR A LOANER VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER DECLINED HIS REQUEST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,600.

Tires › Valve
Filed May 3, 2019IN

MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TIRE VALVE STEMS SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL. *JS

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jul 14, 2018124,000 milesWA

I DID THE T21 RECALL UPDATE TO THE PCM AND HAVE HAD CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, THEN IT DIED AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE GREATEST SPRINTER MECHANICS IN MY AREA. THIS WAS AFTER THE DEALERSHIP CLEARED CODES THE FIRST TIME MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOWING FROM INSURANCE MADE ME PAY THE DIFFERENCE IN MILEAGE FROM THE DEALERSHIP. HAD T21 RECALL FINISHED JUNE 22, 2018, AND AGAIN TODAY AFTER PICKING MY VAN UP FROM MY TRUSTED MECHANICS THURSDAY( WHO ONLY WORK ON SPRINTERS AND COULD NOT FIND THE ISSUE) AND AGAIN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I HAVE HAD NO ISSUES WITH MY VAN UNTIL THIS STUPID UPDATE.. I WILL NEVER TRUST YOUR RECALLS EVER AGAIN. FROM WHAT I AM READING, YOU GUYS DON'T CARE OF THE COST AND BURDEN IT PUTS ON US WHO HAVE COMPLICATIONS AFTER THIS PCM UPDATE. SO, WHEN ME AND MY QUADRIPLEGIC SON GET STUCK SOMEWHERE, ARE YOU GOING TO HELP US? PATHETIC COMPANY AND STUPID RECALL. NOTHING LIKE DRIVING THREE TIMES SINCE THE UPDATE TO TAKE MY TIME OUT OF MY DAY, STRESS ABOUT NOT HAVING AN ACCESSIBLE VEHICLE FOR OUR USE, AND EVERYBODY SHRUGGING THEIR SHOULDERS. YES, SIMPLY ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT MUST BE REALLY HARD ON MY ENGINE WITH ONLY 124K MILES.! WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO TO HELP THOSE OF US WITH MANUFACTURING VINS UP TO JULY OF 2004? YOU ARE OBVIOUSLY THINKING ALL ENCOMPASSING PCM UPDATES ARE NEEDED BUT HOW ABOUT YOU THINK ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE IN MODELS FROM WITHIN THE YEAR. OR IS THAT TOO MUCH THINKING FROM YOUR OWN BRAIN AND THE COMPUTER DIDN'T TELL YOU WHAT TO DO?

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed May 15, 2018VA

RECEIVED T-21 RECALL NOTICE FOR 2004 SPRINTER 2500. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP WE WERE SENT TO BY DODGE (FIAT). DEALERSHIP DID THE REQUIRED SOFTWARE UPGRADE TO THE ECU - RESULT WAS THAT THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS TRASHED. THEY REPLACED 2 MODULES AND THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. PCM IS NOT SHUTTING DOWN THE MODULES AND RELAYS AND ALL CIRCUITS STAY OPEN AFTER THE ENGINE IS SHUT OFF. THIS IS CAUSING THE BATTERY TO BE COMPLETELY DRAINED IN A SHORT TIME PERIOD. OUR VAN IS USELESS TO US - CAN'T DRIVE IT ANYWHERE AND DODGE (WE FILED A COMPLAINT OVER 4 WEEKS AGO) AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP WANTED $2,600 TO REPLACE THE PCM AND THEY WERE NOT CERTAIN THAT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY ALSO NEVER CLEARED THE CODES AS REQUIRED BY THE RECALL (FOR THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR ISSUE). WE HAVE INVESTED A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TIME (HAD TO TAKE THE VAN BACK TO DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES ALREADY) AND DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 5, 201860,000 milesCA

THE DODGE DEALER DID THE T21 EMISSION RECALL ON 12/08/2017. EVERSINCE THIS RECALL SERVICE MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN RENDERED IN-OPERABLE WITH TWO PROBLEMS. (1) THE BATTERY DIES OVERNIGHT. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED TO NEW BATTERY WITH SAME PROBLEM. (2) THE EGR VALVE MAKES BUZZING NOISE WITH THE CAR OFF. I HAVE REPLACED THE EGR VALVE WITH NEW ONE WITH SAME PROBLEM. IT HAS BEEN FIVE MONTH AND NOW DODGE SAYS THEY NEED TO REPLACE ANOTHER PART (INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CONTROLLER), BUT DODGE DOES NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE DAMAGES OR HOW OR WHEN MY CAR WILL LEAVE THE DEALER. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS.

Tires
Filed Jul 9, 201447,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE SPRINTER 2500 EQUIPPED WITH B.F. GOODRICH TIRES, TIRE LINE: LT23585R16, TIRE SIZE: LT225/7.5R16, AND DOT NUMBER: BEILJD112011. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE TREAD WAS SEPARATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO CONFIRMED THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE TIRE IMMEDIATELY. THE TIRE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE TIRE WAS 18,000. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS 47,000.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 22, 201229,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD LAMP SENSOR TURNED WHITE ABNORMALLY, CAUSING LIMITED ILLUMINATION WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE GLOW PLUG CONTROL WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR, THEY REQUIRED SPECIAL TOOLS IN WHICH THEY DID NOT HAVE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT PERFORMED THE REPAIRS BY REPLACING THE GLOW PLUG CONTROL. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,300 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 24, 201123,588 milesIN

PN/ 07551201, RESONATOR, FAILURE 3 TIME IN 60,000 MILES, LOST POWER. *TR

12 of 12 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2008
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20132000Routine
20093400Routine
200853520Routine
200724520Routine
200634510Routine
200521320Routine
2004 — this page12300Routine
20035510Routine
20020400Routine
20011200Routine

Compare every Sprinter 2500 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Nov 17, 2016. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.