NHTSA lists 6 complaints for the 2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500, 0 of them mention a crash and 1 mention a fire. 0 complaints mention an injury, with 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported.
Data build 2026-10-07.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER 2500.
Model-generated complaint tags: This model year has not been tagged.
Recalls
5 recalls.
Date: 2016-11-17. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.
Defect: 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 (excerpt)
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. (excerpt)
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. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2011-08-09. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Defect: 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.
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.
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.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2009-10-29. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Defect: 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.
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.
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.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2008-07-24. Systems: STEERING.
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2007-07-13. Systems: INTERIOR LIGHTING.
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Manufacturer communications
19 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system| System | Count |
|---|
| ENGINE | 6 |
|---|
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 6 |
|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 3 |
|---|
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 3 |
|---|
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 1 |
|---|
11038170
Date: 2026-09-19. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Unavailability of MB Apps Complaint A popup is seen on the HU with the message "data connection temporarily not available". Cause MB Apps is officially sundowned for all vehicles with NTG5 Head Unit Variant. Remedy No support available for NTG5 Head Unit Variants for MB App related topics.
11036855
Date: 2026-08-26. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
Complaint While driving through muddy / sandy/ off road terrain "4Matic Currently Unavailable" message on the dash Cause This vehicle is not equipped with a fixed force distribution AWD, rather force is only applied to the front axle according to ESP calculations. As per GF28.00a Da 9900A: "vehic
11035563
Date: 2026-07-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
ASSYST PLUS service reminder appears earlier than expected due to vehicle operating conditions Complaint The ASSYST PLUS service reminder appears earlier than expected. The customer or dealer may report that the vehicle did not reach the starting maintenance interval shown in vehicle documentation
11034410
Date: 2026-06-15. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
Complaint Complaint 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 r
11034416
Date: 2026-06-03. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM.
OM642 DPF Filter Cracked or Broken Complaint Vehicle will not start or exhibits noisy exhaust. Check Engine Lamp (CEL) is on. Multiple control unit communication and system faults may be present, including but not limited to: 134800, 134900, 11B300, 11EC00, 15E100, 155700, 162500. Additional event
11031943
Date: 2026-04-18. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.
Complaint Rattling noise from underneath the vehicle. Cause One or more of the following conditions may be present: 1. The exhaust bracket from the DPF to the transmission is cracked or broken. a ? See Pic. 1 for an example of a broken bracket. 2. Transmission bell housing cracked or broken at the e
11030629
Date: 2026-03-23. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM.
The check engine light is illuminated, or the AdBlue warning is active, with recorded faults related to AdBlue quality or concentration. Complaint Customer reports an illuminated check engine light and or an AdBlue system warning indicating AdBlue quality out of specification. The vehicle may enter
11028113
Date: 2026-01-16. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.
EGR Valve Diagnosis & Cleaning (and EGR Cooler Cleaning) a OM642, Sprinter 906/907 Complaint 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 o
11023983
Date: 2025-09-26. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Engine Oil Level Cannot Be Checked via Instrument Cluster Service Menu Complaint Sometimes the engine oil level cannot be determined using the instrument cluster's service menu. The following mes- sages may be displayed: a ?Engine oil level currently inoperative. See Attachment: Message "Engine oil
11023982
Date: 2025-09-16. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
Complaint Transmission control unit Y3/8n4 (fully integrated transmission control unit (VGS)) not listed in quick test and/or no communication possible with VGS. Cause Transmission control unit Y3/8n4 Remedy For vehicles with 722.9 transmission: Ensure LI54.15-P-057373 is performed before replacing