2006 Dodge Sprinter 3500 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 2006 SPRINTER 3500.
- 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 2006 SPRINTER 3500.
- 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. Equipment
What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the vehicle. 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, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation after…
What could happen: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.
The fix: 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. The recall began January 13, 2015. Owners may contact Cumming's customer service at 1-800-639-5438 or…
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 2006 SPRINTER 3500.
- Book a repair at any authorized Dodge dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 14V706000 (manufacturer code 14E-041).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-639-5438.
- 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: EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
Summary: 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, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation after January 1, 2006. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
Consequence: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.
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. The recall began January 13, 2015. Owners may contact Cumming's customer service at 1-800-639-5438 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Cumming's number for this recall is 14E-041.
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.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- Portable jump starter
- 2006 Dodge Sprinter 3500 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (18), Electrical system (5), Brakes (4), Lights (3), Hydraulic (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)
03/27/2024 · Brakes
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…
09/15/2022 · Engine
2006 DODGE SPRINTER 3500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO EGR VALVE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIR. THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE.
10/19/2021 · 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 conta…
01/31/2019 · Unknown Or Other
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…
11/18/2018 · Engine
CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAULTY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON UPON STARTUP.
07/30/2018 · Engine
ENTIRE MERCEDES DIESEL SPRINTER ENGINE FAILED COMPLETELY AND WILL NEED A NEW ENGINE. POSSIBLE CAUSE IS CRACKED PISTON OR STUCK INJECTOR. THIS HAPPENED WHEN DRIVING, SHORTLY AFTER SERPENTINE BELT AND TRANSMISSION LINE WERE REPLACED, VEHICLE WAS JUST SERVICED, INCLUDING NEW BRAKES, MUFFLER, INSPECTION, OIL CHANGE. ONLY 82,000 MILES! COST WILL BE OVER $11,000!…
12/14/2017 · Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS A RANDOM FAILURE IN WHICH A LIMP MODE OCCURRED AND CAUSED A DRASTIC REDUCTION IN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF PALM SPRINGS (4095 E PALM CANYON DR, PALM SPRINGS, CA 92264, (760) 328-6525) WHO REPLACED THE…
08/16/2017 · Unknown Or Other
SPRINTER IN LOOSING POWER WHEN ITS GOING TO EVEN LITTLE HILL,AFTER THAT WORKS FINE.CHK WITH SHOP TRANS OK. OTHER SITUATION IS AC VENTS GIVING ONLY COLD AIR FROM TOP VENTS AND SIDE VENTS GIVING FULL HEAT LIKE OVER HOT.