- 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
2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 5 recalls, the latest in November 2016 for the instrument cluster / panel.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical Sprinter 2500 year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 recalls 5
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
- Mercedes-benz usa (mbusa) is recalling certain model year 2002- 2003 sprinter 2500 and 3500 vans sold as dodge and freightliner vehicles. The intake manifolds may have corroded. A chemical reaction involving sulfur in the diesel fuel that takes place under certain conditions can lead to the formation of sulfuric acid in the exhaust channel of the intake manifold.
- The risk
- Intake manifold corrosion may lead to an exhaust gas leak, damage to the fuel return line which could cause a fuel leak, and heat damage to the insulation at the fire wall. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the intake manifold free of charge. Chrysler, llc will notify owners of dodge sprinters and mbusa will notify owners freightliner sprinters. This recall is an expansion of a previous recall (please see recall campaign 09v-418). The safety recall began on october 11, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403 or sprinter at 1-843-695-5031.
- The problem
- Sprinter is recalling certain model year 2002 through 2003 vans sold as dodge and freightliner vehicles. The intake manifolds may have corroded. A chemical reaction involving sulfur in the diesel fuel that takes place under certain conditions can lead to the formation of sulfuric acid in the exhaust channel of the intake manifold.
- The risk
- Intake manifold corrosion may lead to an exhaust gas leak, damage to the fuel return line which could cause a fuel leak, and heat damage to the insulation at the front wall.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the intake manifold free of charge. Chrysler, llc is handling the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. The recall began on june 4, 2010. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403 or sprinter at 843-695-5031.
- 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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No complaints about the 2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Freightliner Sprinter 2500: every year compared
All Sprinter 2500 years2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | 0 | 5 | C | |
| 2003 Freightliner Columbia | 10 | 5 | D | Compare |
| 2003 Freightliner Business Class | 7 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 2003 Freightliner Century | 4 | 2 | B | Compare |
| 2003 Freightliner Century Class | 2 | 1 | D | Compare |
| 2003 Freightliner Business Class M2 | 1 | 5 | A | Compare |
| 2003 Freightliner Discovery | 1 | 0 | - | 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 2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500
Does the 2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500: instrument cluster / panel (November 2016); exhaust system (August 2011); exhaust system (October 2009); column (July 2008) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 46 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Freightliner 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 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 years have the most complaints?
2015 (2), 2018 (2), 2016 (1). See every Freightliner Sprinter 2500 year compared.
What should I do if my 2003 Freightliner 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