- The problem
- 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."
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2004 Dodge Sprinter 2500 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 12 complaints about the 2004 Dodge Sprinter 2500 with NHTSA, most often about the engine & cooling (6) and the electrical system (5). It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in November 2016 for the instrument cluster / panel. For comparison, the 2003 has 0 and the 2005 has 0.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical Sprinter 2500 year, for its age
#219 most complained-about 2004 vehicle
- Complaints
- 12
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2004 Dodge Sprinter 2500 problems
Share of all 12 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2004 Dodge Sprinter 2500 recalls 3
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- The operator may lose steering ability of the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- The switching contacts of the lamp may cause a short circuit of the rear lamp increasing the risk of a fire.
- The fix
- 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 say
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12 complaints about the 2004 Dodge Sprinter 2500
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
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.
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...
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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.
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...
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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!
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.
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...
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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.
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
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...
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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?
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...
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(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.
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.
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.
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.
PN/ 07551201, RESONATOR, FAILURE 3 TIME IN 60,000 MILES, LOST POWER. *TR
Dodge Sprinter 2500: every year compared
All Sprinter 2500 years2004 Dodge Sprinter 2500 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 Dodge Sprinter 2500 | 12 | 3 | D | |
| 2004 Dodge Ram | 1,157 | 7 | F | Compare |
| 2004 Dodge Durango | 1,115 | 9 | F | Compare |
| 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 | 582 | 9 | F | Compare |
| 2004 Dodge Ram 3500 | 214 | 7 | F | Compare |
| 2004 Dodge Dakota | 206 | 5 | C | Compare |
| 2004 Dodge Stratus | 144 | 7 | F | Compare |
| 2004 Dodge Intrepid | 129 | 2 | A | Compare |
| 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan | 116 | 3 | A | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2004 Dodge Sprinter 2500
Does the 2004 Dodge Sprinter 2500 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2004 Dodge Sprinter 2500: instrument cluster / panel (November 2016); column (July 2008); interior lighting (July 2007). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Dodge Sprinter 2500?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the engine & cooling (6), electrical system (5), driver assistance (2).
How many complaints has the 2004 Dodge Sprinter 2500 had?
12 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on September 24, 2011 and the latest on August 11, 2023. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2004 Dodge Sprinter 2500 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 34 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Dodge Sprinter 2500 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Dodge Sprinter 2500 years have the most complaints?
2004 (12), 2013 (2). See every Dodge Sprinter 2500 year compared.
What should I do if my 2004 Dodge Sprinter 2500 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data