NHTSA vehicle safety data

2003 Dodge Sprinter 2500 Recalls & Complaints

The 2003 Dodge Sprinter 2500 has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 5 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Dodge dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2003 Dodge Sprinter 2500. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2003 Dodge Sprinter 2500 owner complaints

Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Dodge Sprinter 2500, describing incidents dated March 8, 2012 to July 1, 2025.

Most-cited components

Engine 2 complaints
Electrical System 1 complaint
Latches/Locks/Linkages 1 complaint
Service Brakes 1 complaint
Steering 1 complaint

Of the 5 complaints on file, 1 reports a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11670560 · Filed July 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Sprinter 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V833000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet…
ODI #11234528 · Filed July 24, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 DODGE SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 63 MPH WITH A RV TRAILER HITCHED, THE ENGINE HESITATED AND WAS 10 DEGREES WARMER THAN NORMAL. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE COOLANT INCREASED 30 DEGREES HOTTER THAN NORMAL. THERE WAS BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM…
ODI #10583329 · Filed April 17, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE SPRINTER 2500 VAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR HATCHES AND THE LOCKING MECHANISMS WOULD NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION IN THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE…

Read all 5 complaints

BRAKE Indicator Lamp Inoperative/FMVSS 105

NHTSA #16V833000 · Electrical System — Instrument Cluster/Panel · NHTSA notice

Reported November 17, 2016 · Daimler Vans USA, LLC

Potentially affected: 17,501 vehicles

Repair completion: 17.24% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified July 27, 2017 · Vehicles built June 30, 2003 – August 31, 2006 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

Without the BRAKE lamp illuminating during the vehicle start up bulb-function check, the driver has no confirmation that the lamp is working and therefore may not know whether or not the lamp will illuminate if the brake fluid level is low. If the operator is unaware that the vehicle has low brake fluid, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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. A second notice will be mailed to owners once the remedy becomes available. The recall began on July 27, 2017. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-770-705-2070.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

INTAKE MANIFOLD

NHTSA #11V410000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Exhaust System · NHTSA notice

Reported August 9, 2011 · SPRINTER ENGINEERING & COMPLIANCE SUPPOR

Potentially affected: 665 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 2010040002 · Owners notified October 11, 2011 · Vehicles built October 1, 2001 – September 30, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

INTAKE MANIFOLD CORROSION MAY LEAD TO AN EXHAUST GAS LEAK, DAMAGE TO THE FUEL RETURN LINE WHICH COULD CAUSE A FUEL LEAK, AND HEAT DAMAGE TO THE INSULATION AT THE FIRE WALL. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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. THIS RECALL IS AN EXPANSION OF A PREVIOUS RECALL (PLEASE SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 09V-418). THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403 OR SPRINTER AT 1-843-695-5031.

Notes

MBUSA'S SAFETY RECALL NUMBER IS 2010040002.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

EXHAUST CHANNEL

NHTSA #09V418000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Exhaust System · NHTSA notice

Reported October 29, 2009 · SPRINTER ENGINEERING & COMPLIANCE SUPPOR

Potentially affected: 14,423 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 2010040002 · Owners notified June 4, 2010 · Vehicles built October 1, 2001 – September 30, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

INTAKE MANIFOLD CORROSION MAY LEAD TO AN EXHAUST GAS LEAK, DAMAGE TO THE FUEL RETURN LINE WHICH COULD CAUSE A FUEL LEAK, AND HEAT DAMAGE TO THE INSULATION AT THE FRONT WALL.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FREE OF CHARGE. CHRYSLER, LLC IS HANDLING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 4, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403 OR SPRINTER AT 843-695-5031.

Notes

SPRINTER SAFETY RECALL NO. 2010040002.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

STEERING COLUMNS

NHTSA #08V339000 · Steering — Column · NHTSA notice

Reported July 24, 2008 · SPRINTER ENGINEERING & COMPLIANCE SUPPOR

Potentially affected: 10 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign H25 · Owners notified February 16, 2009 · Vehicles built November 1, 2007 – November 30, 2007 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THE OPERATOR MAY LOSE STEERING ABILITY OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

CHRYSLER'S RECALL NO. H25.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

REAR AIRCONDITIONING/INTERIOR LAMPS

NHTSA #07V299000 · Interior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported July 13, 2007 · DAIMLERCHRYSLER MANUFACTURING INTL

Potentially affected: 4,433 vehicles

Owners notified December 17, 2007 · Vehicles built January 30, 2001 – October 7, 2006 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THE SWITCHING CONTACTS OF THE LAMP MAY CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT OF THE REAR LAMP INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR INTERIOR LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE WITH A MODIFIED VERSION WHICH IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE IMPACTS OF HEAT AND HUMIDITY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 17, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL AT 1-843-695-5041.

Notes

CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2003 Dodge Sprinter 2500. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

5 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Dodge Sprinter 2500.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Electrical System

ODI #11670560

Incident: July 1, 2025 · Filed: July 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Sprinter 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V833000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Engine

ODI #11234528

Fire

Incident: July 20, 2019 · Filed: July 24, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 DODGE SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 63 MPH WITH A RV TRAILER HITCHED, THE ENGINE HESITATED AND WAS 10 DEGREES WARMER THAN NORMAL. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE COOLANT INCREASED 30 DEGREES HOTTER THAN NORMAL. THERE WAS BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST AND THE OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. FLUIDS WERE DRIPPING FROM THE VEHICLE AND ON THREE OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO INDEPENDENTLY POWER ON. THE HOOD WAS OPENED AND THE VEHICLE ENGULFED INTO FLAMES STARTING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ON THE HOOD. IN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE ENGULFED IN FLAMES ALONG WITH THE RV TRAILER. ALL OCCUPANTS EXITED THE VEHICLE SAFELY AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS FILED AS WELL AS POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEM A TOTAL LOSS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE PROPANE TANK DID NOT BLOW A SAFETY BELL VALVE UNTIL THE VEHICLE DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR A DEALER FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. *TT *TR *TR IMAGES ATTACHED *JB

Latches/Locks/Linkages

ODI #10583329

Incident: January 22, 2014 · Filed: April 17, 2014

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

Steering

ODI #10451060

Incident: March 8, 2012 · Filed: March 10, 2012

OUTER TIE ROD END CAME APART. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10378883

Filed: January 31, 2011

2003 DODGE 2500 SPRINTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CHRYSLER SAFETY RECALL J32 ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. HE MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALERSHIP TO DROP TO DROP THE VEHICLE OFF PN DECEMBER 15, 2010. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE RECALL WAS A LITTLE DIFFICULT AND IT WOULD TAKE A COUPLE OF DAYS, EVEN THOUGH ACCORDING TO THE RECALL NOTICE IT STATED IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT 8 HOURS. THE CONSUMER STATED A COUPLE OF DAYS WENT BY, AND THEN THE EXCUSES STARTED ACCOMPANIED BY PROMISES. THE CONSUMER STATED SINCE THE WRITING OF THIS LATER, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR 3 WEEKS. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE VEHICLE HAD OTHER PROBLEMS AND THEY WERE HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING IT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING FINE, WHEN HE DROPPED IT OFF. *JB UPDATED 02/18/11

Other Dodge Sprinter 2500 model years

Check your 2003 Dodge Sprinter 2500 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Dodge Sprinter 2500 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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