2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Freightliner › Sprinter 2500 › 2003
These records cover every 2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
5 recalls name the 2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
The operator may lose steering ability of the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
The switching contacts of the lamp may cause a short circuit of the rear lamp increasing the risk of a fire.
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.
Owner complaints
6 complaints1 involved a fire
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine
TL* the contact owned a 2003 n/a freightliner sprinter van. the contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, the vehicle began to lose speed, than the vehicle began to shutter and the contact looked thru the rear passenger side view mirror and noticed black smoke coming from exhaust. The contact…
TL* the contact owned a 2003 n/a freightliner sprinter van. the contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, the vehicle began to lose speed, than the vehicle began to shutter and the contact looked thru the rear passenger side view mirror and noticed black smoke coming from exhaust. The contact merged to the side of the road. The contact put the vehicle in park and exited out of the vehicle. The contact went to the front of the vehicle when it was noticed fluid was spilling out of the vehicle and smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact went to receive their fire extinguishers and opened the hood and noticed fire coming from underneath the and started to extinguish the fire but did not fully put out the flames. the contact then had his wife and four children exit out of the vehicle and waited for the fire department to come to the scene. The fire department did come out and extinguished the fire fully. A fire report was filed. No one was injured. The vehicle was towed to a near by towed lot.the contact called the vehicle manufacturer to have them tow the vehicle to their local dealer to have inspected and diagnosed of the failure but the manufacturer declined do that so the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact does not know if the vehicle deemed a total loss or if the that towed lot scrapped the vehicle for parts. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 93,000. ## vin passed ## sprinter (dodge or freightliner) 2003 ##
- Electrical system · Service brakes, hydraulic
TL* the contact owns a 2003 freightliner sprinter 2500. The contact stated while driving 14 mph and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the master warning light was illuminated. The contact parked on the side of the roadway. The vehicle was then…
TL* the contact owns a 2003 freightliner sprinter 2500. The contact stated while driving 14 mph and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the master warning light was illuminated. The contact parked on the side of the roadway. The vehicle was then slowly driven back to his residence. The contact called mercedes-benz of louisville located at 2520 terra crossing blvd, louisville, ky 40245, (502) 896-4411, and the dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact called an independent mechanic and made an appointment to have the vehicle repaired. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with nhtsa campaign number: 16v833000 (electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic) however, the vin was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of failure. The failure mileage was 320,000.
- Engine
Vehicle experienced reduced power and whoosh sound. found intake manifold with cracks leaking exhaust from egr runner. made temporary repair on the road and was able to return to shop. found there was a recall on this part (2010-040002) but have been unable to get repair from daimler vans USA. *tr
- Engine
TL* the contact owns a 2003 freightliner sprinter 2500. The contact stated after receiving a recall notice for nhtsa campaign number: 11v410000 (engine and engine cooling), the contact called the dealer. The dealer stated that they could not remedy the vehicle due to the dealer not being able to…
TL* the contact owns a 2003 freightliner sprinter 2500. The contact stated after receiving a recall notice for nhtsa campaign number: 11v410000 (engine and engine cooling), the contact called the dealer. The dealer stated that they could not remedy the vehicle due to the dealer not being able to work on vans. The contact then called the manufacturer to find out where to take the vehicle. The nearest dealer was too far to drive for the contact. The manufacturer then stated to call freightliner regarding the recall. Freightliner informed the contact that they were not responsible for the repair of this vehicle. The contact had not experienced a failure.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Diesel · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
TL* the contact owns a 2003 freightliner sprinter 2500. The contact stated after receiving a recall notice, he took the vehicle was taken to a local dealer. The dealer stated the contact had to pay to have the recall repair performed on the vehicle. The contact stated the recall said the remedy was…
TL* the contact owns a 2003 freightliner sprinter 2500. The contact stated after receiving a recall notice, he took the vehicle was taken to a local dealer. The dealer stated the contact had to pay to have the recall repair performed on the vehicle. The contact stated the recall said the remedy was free of charge. The contact called the manufacturer to verify. The failure mileage was 330,000. updated 07/05/12*lj the dealer confirmed the intake manifold replacement was covered by the recall. However, the dealer stated they would need to replace the fuel lines, which could be damaged during the removal of the intake manifold. The consumer was informed it would cost $300 to replace the fuel lines. Updated 07/10/12 updated 07/19/12.
- Fuel system, diesel
I received a recall notice for my vehicle. I contacted the number in the letter to have the problem corrected. after speaking with a representative, I was informed that the closest repair center was 110 miles away. the service center where the work would be performed IS only open m-f, 7A-5P. in…
I received a recall notice for my vehicle. I contacted the number in the letter to have the problem corrected. after speaking with a representative, I was informed that the closest repair center was 110 miles away. the service center where the work would be performed IS only open m-f, 7A-5P. in order for me to get the affected vehicle for repaired, I would have to take off work and lose a day's pay or longer. the representative offered no help in overcoming my dilemma. *Tr
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 11011223SMOG/Emissions Test fail due to one or more Readiness Monitors not set Complaint: The vehicle has failed the State Emissions Certification because one or more of the OBDII readiness monitors are not completely set. Cause: One or more of the following Readiness Monitors are not fully set within XENTRY: Misfire Monitoring - Injection System Fuel System Monitoring - Injection System, Fuel System, EGR Valve, O2 Sensor NMHC Catalyst Monitoring - NMHC/Diesel Oxidation Catalyst NOx Aftertreatment Monitoring - SCR Catalyst System Boost Pressure System Monitoring - Turbocharger, Charge Air System Exhaust Gas Sensor Monitoring - O2 Sensor, NOx Sensors Diesel Particulate Filter Monitoring - Diesel Particulate Filter System Exhaust Gas Recirculation System Monitoring - EGR Valve and system Remedy: Please complete the required driving conditions to fully set the incomplete Readiness Monitor. DO NOT: - Erase any fault codes. If fault codes are present, process these and allow the readiness drives to clear fault codes. - Flash or SCN code the CDI or SCR control units. - Perform a manual DPF regeneration, unless instructed below. - Disconnect the main battery.
- 11001114Complaint A: The engine is jolting/bucking between 1700 and 1900 rpm. Complaint B: One or more mechanical related fault codes for EGR Valve stored in CDI control unit, with possible Check Engine Light. Review list of mechanical fault codes in table below. NOTE: If one or more electrical related fault codes for EGR Valve are also present in CDI, utilize Complaint C. Review list of electrical fault codes PDF document in attachments. Complaint C: One or more electrical related fault codes for EGR Valve stored in CDI control unit, with possible Check Engine Light. Review list of electrical fault codes PDF document attached. Cause of Complaint A: Increased friction between the EGR Valve blade and seat due to soot deposits causing a delay of the EGR Valve being able to reach the target value of the EGR Valve position controller. NOTE: This causes the EGR Valve blade and potentially the boost pressure controller to oscillate. Cause of Complaint B: Soot deposits between the EGR Valve blade and seat leading to the EGR Valve no longer being able to meet the desired target of the EGR Valve position controller. Cause of Complaint C: Internal EGR Valve or other electrical faults related to the EGR Valve function.
Every Freightliner Sprinter 2500 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.