The 2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 has 3 safety recalls and 21 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (6 complaints).
Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints21filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 2reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
NHTSA recall 16V833000 · Nov 17, 2016 · 17,501 vehicles
Problem: 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."
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.
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 contact DVUSA customer service at 1-770-705-2070.
Components: Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel; Service brakes, hydraulic
Problem: 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: THE OPERATOR MAY LOSE STEERING ABILITY OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
Problem: 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: THE SWITCHING CONTACTS OF THE LAMP MAY CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT OF THE REAR LAMP INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
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.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Engine and engine cooling Engine › Diesel; Engine
6
0
0
0
12,600 mi
Engine
4
0
0
0
220,000 mi
Electrical system
2
0
2
0
—
Exterior lighting
2
0
1
0
—
Structure Body
2
0
0
0
—
Wheels
2
0
0
0
—
Unknown or other
2
0
0
0
—
Fuel system, gasoline Fuel injection system
1
0
0
2
—
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
1
0
0
2
—
Tires Pressure monitoring and regulating systems
1
0
0
0
—
Fuel/propulsion system
1
0
0
0
—
Seat belts
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Aug 3, 2026Unknown or other My 2005 Dodge Sprinter is subject to Dodge/Stellantis Recall T21 (Emissions Campaign â Reprogram Engine Control Unit (CA)). I have made repeated attempts to have T21 completed. Multiple Dodge/Stellantis service facilities I contacted do not have the required equipment to perform this campaign. The nearest facility I was able to locate with the proper equipment is in [XXX]. However, that facility is also unable to complete T21 because it cannot download/access the manufacturer-required software needed to perform the ECU reprogramming. I contacted Stellantis/Dodge Customer Care and Case # XXX was opened. Stellantis confirmed in writing that the case remains open and escalated and…
Jul 31, 2026Engine I own a 2005 Dodge Sprinter with open emissions recall T21. I have contacted three authorized Dodge/Chrysler dealerships to have recall T21 completed. All three dealerships refused to perform the recall because they stated they do not have the required equipment to complete the ECU reprogramming. As a result, I am unable to have the open recall completed despite multiple attempts. The manufacturer is failing to provide a reasonable means to complete the recall. I request that NHTSA investigate this issue and require Stellantis to ensure that authorized dealerships have the necessary equipment to perform recall T21.
Aug 22, 2025Engine and engine cooling See attached document for complaint.
May 1, 2024 · 252,858 milesEngine The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that he watched a YouTube video and changed the fuel pressure sensor, but the failure recurred. The contact checked the wire harness, which was fine and pristine. There was a perturbing section on the manifold, and the two wires were cut. The wire webbing was frayed due to rubbing. The local dealer was contacted, who informed him there were no recalls. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 252,858.
Apr 19, 2021 · 200,000 miles · fireElectrical system TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE SPRINTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH HEADLIGHT BULBS HAD FAILED UPON ACTIVATION. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS ABLE TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SOON AFTER THE INITIAL REPLACEMENT, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED YET AGAIN. THE CONTACT THEN DECIDED TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS HIMSELF AND DISCOVERED BURNT WIRING IN BOTH HEADLIGHT MANIFOLDS WHICH HE LINKED TO THE REPEATED FAILURE. AFTER THE CONTACT REPLACED BOTH HEADLIGHTS, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT HAD FAILED YET AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHERE THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE.…
Aug 1, 2019 · 228,976 milesLatches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR WAS UNABLE TO BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER, MERCEDES-BENZ OF MIAMI (1200 NW 167TH STREET, MIAMI, FL 33169, (305)707-0147) WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, THE CONTACT HAD NOT YET RECEIVED A CALLBACK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 228,976. INVALID VIN.
Aug 18, 2017 · 61,000 milesEngine WE LOOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING. THE CAUSE IS THE FAILING OF THE TURBO RESONATOR. MERCEDES RECOMMENDS A PLASTIC REPLACEMENT PART FOR THE TURBO RESONATOR. WE HAVE REPLACED THREE OF THESE. THE PART IS TWO-PIECE AND THE SEAM FAILS. IT IS LOCATED BETWEEN THE RADIATOR AND THE ENGINE. IT'S HOT THERE. THERE IS AN ALUMINUM PART AVAILABLE THAT SEEMS TO FUNCTION WITHOUT PROBLEMS. I'VE CALLED MB AND THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING FOR ME UNLESS I TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERS. I'VE NOT HEARD GOOD NEWS ABOUT OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND DO HAVE A GREAT MECHANIC. I'D LIKE MB TO AT LEAST CONFIRM MY PROBLEM AND MANY OTHERS AS I READ THAT THIS PLASTIC PART HAS CAUSED PROBLEMS IN THE 2004, 2005, 2006, & 2007'S. IF THE PART…
Jun 6, 2017 · 15,000 milesStructure › Body TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE WHERE IT WAS OBSERVED BY THE TECHNICIANS THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE CORROSION UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (HUNTINGTON BEACH CHRYSLER, DODGE, JEEP, RAM LOCATED ON 16701 BEACH BLVD, HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA) WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT TO REACH OUT TO THE MANUFACTURER TO FILE A CASE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 31763746 AND FORMS FOR THE CONTACT TO FILL OUT AND SUBMIT PICTURES. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD GET BACK IN TOUCH WITH THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.