Dodge Sprinter 3500 Problems by Year

We compared every Dodge Sprinter 3500 model year from 2002–2009 using 89 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 14 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2008 and 2006, which drew far more complaints than other Sprinter 3500 years at the same age. The best years are 2002, 2003 and 2004.

8model years
89complaints
14recalls
2008, 2006worst years
2002, 2003best years

Complaints by model year

20022003200420052006200720082009262415393
Owner complaints per model year, Dodge Sprinter 3500. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20093−33%4AirbagFew
2008397.3×6AirbagAvoid
2007152.3×7AirbagAverage
2006244.0×3EngineCaution
200561.5×2EngineFew
20042−33%2TransmissionFew
20030−67%4—Few
20020−67%3—Few

* Complaints compared with the median Sprinter 3500 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Dodge Sprinter 3500 problems

  • Air bagsworst: 2008
    4449%
  • Engine & coolingworst: 2006
    2730%
  • Electrical systemworst: 2006
    1011%
  • Transmission & drivetrainworst: 2005
    78%
  • Brakesworst: 2006
    78%
  • Fuel & propulsion systemworst: 2005
    33%
  • Lightsworst: 2006
    33%
  • Other / not specified
    33%
  • Wheels & tiresworst: 2008
    33%
  • Speed control & accelerationworst: 2006
    33%

Latest Dodge Sprinter 3500 recalls

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 17V-478 · Jul 28, 2017 · 43,689 vehicles

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2007-2009 Freightliner and Dodge Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled into the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.

Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began on September 29, 2017. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel

NHTSA recall 16V-833 · Nov 17, 2016 · 17,501 vehicles

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…

Remedy: 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.

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 16V-077 · Feb 10, 2016 · 136,361 vehicles

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (Daimler Vans) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Dodge Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2006, to July 31, 2008, 2007-2014 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2006, to July 1, 2014, and 2010-2014 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles…

Remedy: Daimler Vans will notify the Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner owners and Fiat Chrysler will notify the Dodge owners. The respective dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge.

Equipment adaptive/mobility

NHTSA recall 14V-706 · Nov 5, 2014 · 34 vehicles

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,…

Remedy: Cummings will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge.

Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system

NHTSA recall 11V-410 · Aug 9, 2011 · 665 vehicles

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…

Remedy: 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.

All 14 Dodge Sprinter 3500 recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Dodge Sprinter 3500 should you avoid?

2008 and 2006 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Sprinter 3500 years at the same age, led by air bags problems in the 2008.

What is the best year for the Dodge Sprinter 3500?

2002 has the fewest complaints compared with other Sprinter 3500 years at the same age, followed by 2003 and 2004. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Dodge Sprinter 3500 problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the air bags (44), engine & cooling (27) and electrical system (10). Airbag complaints peak in the 2008 model year.

How many recalls has the Dodge Sprinter 3500 had?

14 recalls across 2002–2009. The model year with the most is 2007. See all Dodge Sprinter 3500 recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.