- The problem
- Daimler buses of north carolina (dbnc) is recalling 334 my 2005-2006 sprinter 2500 and my 2003, 2005-2007 sprinter 3500 buses equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These buses fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 404, "Platform lift installation in motor vehicles." The threshold warning system may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user in a certain spot within the defined threshold area.
- The risk
- The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
- The fix
- Dbnc is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or dbnc at 1-905-403-7807.
Vehicle safety record
2003 Sprinter 3500 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 2003 Sprinter 3500 with NHTSA, most often about the seats & seat belts (1) and the wheels & tires (1). It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in March 2008 for the equipment adaptive / mobility. For comparison, the 2004 has 2.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical 3500 year, for its age
#342 most complained-about 2003 vehicle
- Complaints
- 2
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2003 Sprinter 3500 problems
Share of all 2 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2003 Sprinter 3500 recalls 2
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
- On certain vans, a capacitor within the electronic control unit for the air bag can crack and the air bag may not activate as designed. This condition is signaled to the driver by the srs-warning lamp.
- The risk
- The air bag may not deploy correctly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury to a seat occupant.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the electronic control unit for the air bag. Owner notification began on april 14, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler international at 1-704-655-1052.
What owners say
Be the first 3500 owner to share.
Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
2 complaints about the 2003 Sprinter 3500
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Passenger seat belt kept locking while van was moving and then would not retract at all. Driver side retracts but very slowly. *Tr
2003 Sprinter 3500 shc, unit 1 and unit 2 were westbound on the turnpike when a set of dual tires came off unit 1 and struck unit 2. Both units subsequently pull over on the north shoulder. *Bf the left rear duals sheered off the hub. (Ohio traffic crash report # 10-0062-89)*jb updated 03/29/11 *bf
Sprinter 3500: every year compared
All 3500 years2003 Sprinter 3500 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Sprinter 3500 | 2 | 2 | C | |
| 2003 Sprinter 2500 | 1 | 3 | C | 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 Sprinter 3500
Does the 2003 Sprinter 3500 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2003 Sprinter 3500: equipment adaptive / mobility (March 2008); sensor / control module-inactive (March 2003). 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 2003 Sprinter 3500?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the seats & seat belts (1), wheels & tires (1).
How many complaints has the 2003 Sprinter 3500 had?
2 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on March 21, 2011 and the latest on January 20, 2013. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2003 Sprinter 3500 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 50 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Sprinter 3500 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 Sprinter 3500 years have the most complaints?
2006 (21), 2005 (14), 2008 (6). See every Sprinter 3500 year compared.
What should I do if my 2003 Sprinter 3500 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