Reliability
Dodge

Sprinter (1st)

2003-2006 · Full-Size Van · 2 engines
49 NHTSA Complaints
15 Recalls
2 Fire Reports
1 Crash Reports
Data covers 3 NHTSA model names
SPRINTERSPRINTER 2500SPRINTER 3500
View all 3 generations of the Dodge Sprinter → Inspection checklist

Reliability Score

5.4 / 10

Reliability score

More owner complaints than similar full-size vans

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 21 powertrain complaints. A typical full-size van fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 9.

Scores this low have often eased: the three years after looked about 1.5 points better in the typical case.

Breakdown
Complaints overall21 complaints against about 9 for similar vehicles
5.4
Last three years
n/aNot enough data
Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced
n/aNot enough data
Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating
n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

By model year
  • 2003n/a
  • 2004n/a
  • 2005n/a
  • 2006n/a

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

Show

MB OM647LA

2.7L 5-cyl
34 complaints 11.3 per year Diesel
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
14
cooling
8
electrical
6
other
5
transmission
4

Dodge Sprinter Unidentified Engine

15 complaints 3.8 per year
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

other
3
electrical
3
engine
2
cooling
2
wheels tires
2

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Dodge Sprinter, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Engine: 16 owner complaints
Cooling System: 10 owner complaints
Electrical System: 9 owner complaints

Recalls (15)

16V833000Nov 17, 2016serious
Electrical System

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."

14V706000Nov 5, 2014serious
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility

Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply (Cummings) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, E-350, Chevrolet Express, 2006-2008 Dodge Sprinter, and 2009-2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2013 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured January 1, 2006, to October 8, 2014, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation after January 1, 2006. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.

11V410000Aug 9, 2011serious
Engine & Cooling

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.

09V418000Oct 29, 2009cosmetic
Engine & Cooling

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.

09V296000Jul 29, 2009cosmetic
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility

ACCESS MOBILITY IS RECALLING 3 MODEL YEAR 2004 FORD E-250 AND MODEL YEAR 2006 DODGE SPRINTER VANS EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEM ACCESSIBLE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.

Show 10 older recalls
09V295000Jul 29, 2009cosmetic
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility

ACCESS MOBILITY IS RECALLING 3 MODEL YEAR 2004 FORD E-250 AND MODEL YEAR 2006 DODGE SPRINTER VANS EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFT. THE VEHICLE FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS ON 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.

09V039000Jan 29, 2009cosmetic
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility

OBS IS RECALLING 3 RICON WHEELCHAIR LIFTS WHICH IT INSTALLED ON CERTAIN BLUE BIRD AND DODGE SPRINTER SCHOOL BUSES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.

08V663000Dec 16, 2008cosmetic
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility

SUNSET VANS IS RECALLING 169 MY 2005-2007 ECONOLINE, G SERIES AND SPRINTER TRUCKS BUILT ON DODGE, FORD AND CHEVROLET CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEM ACCESSIBLE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.

08V662000Dec 15, 2008cosmetic
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility

SUNSET VANS IS RECALLING 267 MY 2005-2007 ECONOLINE, G SERIES AND SPRINTER TRUCKS BUILT ON DODGE, FORD AND CHEVROLET CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS 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.

08V651000Dec 10, 2008cosmetic
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility

ILDERTON CONVERSION IS RECALLING 3 MY 2006 SPRINTER DODGE 2500 VANS EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS 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.

08V652000Dec 10, 2008cosmetic
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility

ILDERTON CONVERSION IS RECALLING 3 MY 2006 DODGE SPRINTER 2500 VANS EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEM ACCESSIBLE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.

08V569000Oct 24, 2008cosmetic
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility

CUMMINGS IS RECALLING 42 MY 2006-2008 FORD E150, E350, CHEVROLET EXPRESS, MY 2006 FORD E250, GMC SAVANNA, DODGE SPRINTER CONVERSION VANS, AND MY 2007 NEWMAR DUTCHSTAR MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.

08V568000Oct 24, 2008cosmetic
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility

CUMMINGS IS RECALLING 42 MY 2006-2008 FORD E150, E350, CHEVROLET EXPRESS, MY 2006 FORD E250, GMC SAVANNA, DODGE SPRINTER CONVERSION VANS, AND MY 2007 NEWMAR DUTCHSTAR MOTOR HOMES 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.

08V339000Jul 24, 2008serious
Steering

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.

07V299000Jul 13, 2007serious
Interior Lighting

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.

Alternatives in Full-Size Van

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2003-2006 Dodge Sprinter complaints?

Owners have filed 49 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003-2006 Dodge Sprinter. The systems they name most often are the engine, the cooling system and the electrical system.

Is the 2003-2006 Dodge Sprinter a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 49 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003-2006 Dodge Sprinter. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003-2006 Dodge Sprinter have?

NHTSA has 49 owner complaints on file for the 2003-2006 Dodge Sprinter as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2003-2006 Dodge Sprinter?

NHTSA lists 15 recalls covering some 2003-2006 Dodge Sprinter vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Dodge Sprinter?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the engine, the cooling system and the electrical system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the Sprinter have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2003-2006 Dodge Sprinter. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 49 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: moderate. Last updated: 2026-10-12.

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