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Engine & cooling

Sprinter 3500 Engine problems by year

21 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Sprinter 3500's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Engine complaints by model year

YearEngine complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20071000
200613000
20057000

Latest 3500 engine complaints

2006 Sprinter 3500Engine & cooling

We purchased a 2006 dodge sprinter 3500 as a 2006 winnebago view class c motorhome with 5010 miles on november 2006. We were traveling april 2007 while crossing the jacksonville bridge on a1a, fl.. The motorhome would not advanced. It lost the power. We made it to the top of the bridge at 20mph. We do not know how we made it. We had to interrupt the trip and go to a dodge dealer and they found the resonator was the problem a few days ago jan. 2010 On the north georgia mountains scenic hwy 348, ...

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blairsville, ga; when we got to the highest peak the motorhome would not go at all. We had to back up slowly at least half a mile to find a spot or shoulder to turn around and go downhill. Can you imagine driving backwards on a narrow two lane road on a steep mountain without any kind of protection. This vehicle is a hazard to us and other motorists. This is a very dangerous situation . A recall is needed before someone gets killed. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10317924
2006 Sprinter 3500Engine & coolingTransmission & drivetrain

Subject: turbo resonator failure I took delivery of a dodge sprinter model 3500 chassis when I purchased a winnebago view in march of 2007. Current mileage: 15,422 I have maintained the vehicle in accordance with the owner's manual. On 8/17/09, I had the resonator, part number 14070001, and the associated air hose, part number 14089002, replaced for the third time. The repair was done by farrish dodge in fairfax, va. The first failure was in 2007, the repair was done by dominion dodge in roanoke,...

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va. The second failure was in 2008, the repair was done by freightliner of hagerstown in hagerstown, md. In each case, I was driving the vehicle at highway speed on an interstate highway when the vehicle suddenly slowed and began to have no power. I was told that when the failure of the resonator is detected, the engine is put into the 'safe' mode at which time the vehicle can only be driven at low speed for a short distance. When I spoke with the service technician at farrish dodge, he informed me that there is no solution to this problem that has been identified by dodge. He did say that this is a fairly common and well-known problem. He also mentioned that he is aware that there is an aftermarket all metal resonator available but could not be sure whether the installation of this would void the warranty on the vehicle. I would like to know when dodge intends to offer a solution to this recurring problem. My warranty will continue to cover this repair for two more years, but at this point, I have no confidence that the problem will not continue to re-occur for the life of the vehicle. The safety concern is that this failure has occurred three times while driving on busy interstate highways at which time the vehicle essentially comes to a near stop without warning. In one case I was almost hit in the rear end by a large truck. I have approached dodge customer service with no useful help. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Power trainNHTSA 10287135
2006 Sprinter 3500Engine & cooling

My 2006 sprinter motor home (cab by gulfstream) suffered a resonator failure on june 26th on interstate 81n near bristol tn. It has 18,500 miles on it. I was able to get to the right lane and, in "limp home" mode found a sprinter repair garage and a new resonator was installed. I intend to replace this plastic resonator with an aluminum part. Thanks. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10275421
2005 Sprinter 3500Engine & cooling

Turbo resonator failure on an incline on freeway was almost rear ended by another vechicle. The dealer replaced the resonator. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10248806
2007 Sprinter 3500Engine & cooling

Air boost turbo hose crimped on factory connector split the hose on my turbo charged 6 cylinder 3 litter sprinter 3500 model, built early 2007. Causing the vehicle to slow down to 20 mph climbing an incline on a one lane way highway lane. Hose is the one on the drivers side. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10238034
2006 Sprinter 3500Engine & cooling

This complaint concerns a 2006 dodge sprinter 5 cyl diesel engine failure. I have a 2007 winnebago view rv on a 2006 sprinter. On aug 29 2007 I was traveling on i90 in washington state just west of the snoqualmie pass summit when the vehicle lost power. At that time it had 4539 mile on the odometer. We could have been hit from behind or stranded in the mountains as a result of the failure. The warranty on the vehicle suggest that any repair must be accomplished by a sprinter dealership. The nearest on was over...

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100 mile away. The parts that failed were the 'temperature sensor (part # 486235aa te 8037155 and the resonator- turbo part # 513715ab) . The sprinter service personnel in and other sprinter owners tell me that the resonator and temperature sensor failure rates are quite high and suggested that I purchase a sensor replacement to carry when traveling. I was also told that there was a service bulletin on this apparent defect in the sprinter engine. I suggest a recall. *Jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10203706
2006 Sprinter 3500Engine & cooling

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 dodge sprinter 3500. While driving 20 mph uphill, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The dealer stated that the turbo resonator had burst. The vehicle has been repaired. The body style was unknown. The current mileage is 6,887 and failure mileage was 6,725.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10194023
2005 Sprinter 3500Engine & cooling

Sudden loss of power while driving 50-60 mph. No acceleration despite depressing accelerator pedal to floor. Vehicle towed 15 miles to authorized dealer where turbo resonator was replaced. *Jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10189063
2006 Sprinter 3500Engine & cooling

Failure of glue holding together the turbo resinator. Caused 1996 dodge sprinter van to go into engine malfunction mode. Vehicle speed dropped to 40 mph. I had to drive 120 miles on the interstate to get to a service facility at 40 mph. Fortunately, there were no steep uphill grades, or the vehicle would have been going significantly slower at a speed not allowed on the interstate in oklahoma.*Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10186105
2006 Sprinter 3500Engine & cooling

(1) Without warning sudden loss of power. This has happened twice. Had to drive a total of over 200 miles on reduced power to get home. (2) 2006 Dodge sprinter chassis motorhome with mercedes benz 2.7L 5-cyl turbo diesel engine, turbo resonator split at seam, causing turbo shutdown, and maximum speed of 30-40 mph and no power on any hills. Failure on a hill or freeway could cause a major accident! (3) Dealer has replaced resonator twice at no charge. We're seeking a metal replacement part that won't void the warranty.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10183877
2005 Sprinter 3500Engine & cooling

The truck lost power suddenly and the speed reduced from 62 to 35 totally out of my control. This occurred on i95 in northern virginia in heavy traffic. The problem was a failed turbo resonator. *Nm

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10183054
2006 Sprinter 3500Engine & cooling

Turbo resonator failure which immediately reduces power and speed making it impossible to climb an exit ramp to leave the highway. *Nm

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10177383
2006 Sprinter 3500Engine & cooling

I was driving a 2006 itasca navion class c rv with a dodge-sprinter chassis (built on july 2005) and cruising at 65 mph, when going up a slight incline, the speed dropped drastically to 50 mph, unresponsive to further accelerator pressure. A reduced power mode subsequently ensued and the check engine light came on. It was a potentially hazardous situation because of the vehicles following behind and the reduction in power made it more difficult to execute maneuvers in accordance with the flow of traffic. The vehicle was towed to a dealership where a leaking turbo resonator was found causing the problem the part was replaced under warranty and normal function was restored. *Nm

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10176892
2005 Sprinter 3500Engine & cooling

"Turbo resonator" failed at highway speed on a major interstate causing severe loss of power and near collision. *Jb vehicle is winnebago vuw*gtb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10175891
2005 Sprinter 3500Engine & cooling

Purchased a new '06 gulfstream rv yesterday. (Built on a '05 dodge/freightliner sprinter 3500 chassis) had 480 (delivery) miles on it. Driving home from southern california, at ~790 miles on odometer, engine suddenly cut momentarily, rpms and power fell, check engine light went on, and I was on hwy 101 for ~30 miles doing 45 as the rest of traffic moved at typical 80 mph (no other choices but the highway). Very dangerous. There is no apparent problem. I will have it serviced tomorrow. I suspect the well known turbo resonator crack which I have now read about and researched on the internet. *Jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10175839

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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