2006 Freightliner Sprinter 3500

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.

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.

TURBO RESONATOR PREVENTED ME FROM DRIVING OVER 45 MPH WHILE I WAS ON A 70 MPH FREEWAY! HAD TO HAVE RV TOWED! I WAS TERRIFIED. ADDITIONALLY, I JUST FOUND OUT THAT THE TURBO RESONATOR PART 5137154AC WAS THE SAME ONE USED TO REPLACE THE ONE THAT FAILED. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS PART IS MADE OUT OF PLASTIC, WHICH CRACKS AT HIGH HEAT AND CAUSES MY VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN AND PREVENTS IT FROM GOING UPHILL. THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS TWO DAYS AGO ON SEPT. 28 WITH ONLY 28,160 MILES ON MY RV WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN MY RV WITH MY FAMILY ON A DARK DESERTED HIGHWAY 4 HOURS FROM MY HOME, AND IT JUST WOULDN'T GO OVER 45-50 MPH WITH MY FOOT ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR. I WAS TERRIFIED AGAIN, AS I THOUGHT IT COULD NOT BE THE RESONATOR, AS I HAD IT REPLACED ONLY 18,000 MILES AGO AND IT SHOULD NOT BE FAILING. I COULD NOT FIND A CHRYSLER DEALER WHO WOULD WORK ON MY VEHICLE NEAR WHERE I WAS SO I DROVE IT SLOWLY 74 MILES (TERRFIED WHEN I CAME TO HILLS OR BRIDGES!!!!!!) TO CORPUS CHRISTI TO A MERCEDES DEALER, WHO APPARENTLY JUST REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE PART WITH ANOTHER ONE JUST LIKE IT! I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE ANYWHERE, AS I AM A WOMAN WHO NEEDS TO KNOW THAT SHE IS SAFE WHEN SHE IS TRAVELING, ESPECIALLY WITH MY FAMILY! I KNOW THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS HAD REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH THIS TURBO RESONATOR AND WHO WOULD LIKE FOR THE MANUFACTURER TO RECALL THE PARTS AND REPLACE THEM WITH SOMETHING THAT DOES NOT FAIL AND IS SAFE. PLEASE ADVISE ME WHAT TO DO FROM HERE. *TR