Most common 2006 Dodge Sprinter 3500 problems
Share of the 24 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Dodge Sprinter 3500 complaints by model year
Best Sprinter 3500 years: 2002, 2003, 2004. Years to avoid: 2008, 2006. Compare all years →
2006 Dodge Sprinter 3500 recalls (3)
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
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.
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,…
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.
Steering › Column
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2006 Dodge Sprinter 3500:
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
What 2006 Dodge Sprinter 3500 owners say
Engine & cooling
I have two recalls that needs to be done by a Dodge dealer which I tried two years ago with no success, the first one is brake light recall none of the Dodge dealers in my area up to 50 miles radius were able to fix the recall. Now I am trying to register my vehicle with dmv and I was told about the proof of correction that I need to provide for an emission recall. I called multiple Dodge dealers with no success to have it worked on plus I was suggested to call Mercedes Benz since it is a Mercedes engineered vehicle and since its a Dodge they won't do the recall. Now I am stuck with a vehicle I can get fixed and registered. The vehicle is my work vehicle and I can't do any work/income because it can't be registered.please advice
I'm replacing the o2 sensor for the second time in three years. After researching it seems like a common problem related to the resonator. I am surprised Dodge or Mercedes does not want to offer a solution especially since the engine is otherwise reliable. It's a case of a cheap part causing a lot of grief (and some safety risk as you never know when it will go into limp mode.) with no response from the manufacturer. This most recent sensor replacement will cost me $762.00
Electrical system
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Sprinter 3500. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V833000 (Electrical System, Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and for an unknown Manufacturer recall for the engine control unit failure however, the dealer informed the contact that the parts for the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and advised the contact that they would assist with locating a dealer who could complete the recall repairs. A case was opened. The contact was awaiting a call back from the manufacturer. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. Consumer stated the recall items were issued sometime early on (2006) and the timeline for repairing the recall items is 2006-Dec 2021. …
The contact owns a 2006. Dodge Sprinter 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V833000 (Electrical System, Service Brakes, Hydraulic), and Emissions Recall T21 Reprogram Engine Control Unit however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Brakes
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Sprinter 3500. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V833000 (Electrical System, Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and for an unknown Manufacturer recall for the engine control unit failure however, the dealer informed the contact that the parts for the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and advised the contact that they would assist with locating a dealer who could complete the recall repairs. A case was opened. The contact was awaiting a call back from the manufacturer. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. Consumer stated the recall items were issued sometime early on (2006) and the timeline for repairing the recall items is 2006-Dec 2021. …
The contact owns a 2006. Dodge Sprinter 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V833000 (Electrical System, Service Brakes, Hydraulic), and Emissions Recall T21 Reprogram Engine Control Unit however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Dodge Sprinter 3500 a good car?
Based on 24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Sprinter 3500 rates use caution: 4.0× as many complaints as a typical year of the Sprinter 3500 at the same age. It is one of the Sprinter 3500 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2006 Dodge Sprinter 3500?
The engine & cooling — 18 complaints, 75% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the electrical system (5) and brakes (4).
How many recalls does the 2006 Dodge Sprinter 3500 have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2006 Dodge Sprinter 3500, the most recent from November 17, 2016 (instrument cluster/panel). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Dodge Sprinter 3500?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2002, 2003 and 2004. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2008 and 2006. See the full Dodge Sprinter 3500 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2006 Dodge Sprinter 3500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 51,000 miles; 50% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.