2004 Dodge Sprinter 2500 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. 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."
What could happen: 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…
The fix: 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…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2004 SPRINTER 2500.
- Book a repair at any authorized Dodge dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 16V833000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-770-705-2070.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Summary: 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."
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.
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.
2. Steering
What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. 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.
What could happen: THE OPERATOR MAY LOSE STEERING ABILITY OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2004 SPRINTER 2500.
- Book a repair at any authorized Dodge dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 08V339000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STEERING:COLUMN
Summary: 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.
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.
3. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. 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.
What could happen: THE SWITCHING CONTACTS OF THE LAMP MAY CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT OF THE REAR LAMP INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2004 SPRINTER 2500.
- Book a repair at any authorized Dodge dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 07V299000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-843-695-5041.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: INTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary: 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.
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.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- Portable jump starter
- 2004 Dodge Sprinter 2500 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (6), Electrical system (5), Transmission / drivetrain (2), Wheels / tires (2), Electronic Stability Control (esc) (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
08/11/2023 · Engine
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Sprinter 2500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway with the ignition key turned to the off position however, the vehicle remained on, causing the battery to be drained. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with EGR valve failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and…
08/05/2022 · Electrical system
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Sprinter 2500. The contact stated the backlight of the instrument panel had remained illuminated after the vehicle was turned off, and remained constantly illuminated. The failure had been ongoing for the past three years. The contact stated that the failure drained the battery; requiring the battery to be replaced. The contact…
03/07/2020 · Electrical system
THE T21 RECALL HAS COMPLETELY RUINED MY PERFECTLY MAINTAINED AND STABLE WORK VEHICLE. INITIALLY AFTER HAVING THE RECALL DONE IT LEFT MY BATTERY DEAD AS IT LEFT COMPONENTS RUNNING...IT HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP FOR 5 MONTHS SINCE THE RECALL THEY KEEP THROWING FIXES AT IT WHICH NEVER SEEM TO WORK! THEY HAVE REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, EGR, 2 PCMS,…
10/02/2019 · Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE SPRINTER 2500. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE AUXILIARY FAN TURNED ON, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: T21 FOR THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSI…
08/13/2019 · Transmission / drivetrain
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURER RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO WALNUT CREEK CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (2404 N MAIN ST, WALNUT CREEK, CA 94596, (888) 377-2513) TO BE SERVICED PER THE RECALL. AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE ENGINE FA…
05/03/2019 · Wheels / tires
MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TIRE VALVE STEMS SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL. *JS
07/14/2018 · Unknown Or Other
I DID THE T21 RECALL UPDATE TO THE PCM AND HAVE HAD CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, THEN IT DIED AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE GREATEST SPRINTER MECHANICS IN MY AREA. THIS WAS AFTER THE DEALERSHIP CLEARED CODES THE FIRST TIME MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOWING FROM INSURANCE MADE ME PAY THE DIFFERENCE IN MILEAGE FROM THE DEALERSHIP. HAD T21 RECALL FINISHED JUNE 22,…
05/15/2018 · Electronic Stability Control (esc)
RECEIVED T-21 RECALL NOTICE FOR 2004 SPRINTER 2500. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP WE WERE SENT TO BY DODGE (FIAT). DEALERSHIP DID THE REQUIRED SOFTWARE UPGRADE TO THE ECU - RESULT WAS THAT THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS TRASHED. THEY REPLACED 2 MODULES AND THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. PCM IS NOT SHUTTING DOWN THE MODULES AND RELAYS AND ALL CIRCUITS STAY OPEN AFTER T…