The 2008 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 has 6 safety recalls and 7 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (4 complaints).
Recalls6safety recalls
Complaints7filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
NHTSA recall 17V478000 · Jul 28, 2017 · 43,689 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2007-2009 Freightliner and Dodge Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled into the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began on September 29, 2017. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Note: This recall fully supersedes recall 15V-354 and partially supersedes recalls 16V-379 and 17V-025.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
NHTSA recall 16V077000 · Feb 10, 2016 · 136,361 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (Daimler Vans) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Dodge Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2006, to July 31, 2008, 2007-2014 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2006, to July 1, 2014, and 2010-2014 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2010, to July 1, 2014. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Daimler Vans will notify the Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner owners and Fiat Chrysler will notify the Dodge owners. The respective dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2017. Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner owners may contact Daimler Van's customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Dodge owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Seat belts
NHTSA recall 11V210000 · Mar 30, 2011 · 3,437 vehicles
Problem: MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 2500 AND 3500 SPRINTER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTIONAL THREE-SEAT BENCH IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE SEAT BENCHES IN THE SECOND SEATING ROW MAY HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH SAFETY BELTS THAT DO NOT MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT," AND MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." FIRST, THOSE SAFETY BELTS MAY NOT LOCK AS REQUIRED. SECOND, THE ASSEMBLY LOOP MAY NOT PERFORM TO MINIMUM FORCE REQUIREMENTS.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SAFETY BELTS IN THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT PERFORM AS REQUIRED SUCH THAT A SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Fix: MERCEDES-BENZ WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE ANY SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT DO NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 843-695-5000.
Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner
NHTSA recall 09V456000 · Nov 19, 2009 · 269 vehicles
Problem: CUES, INC. IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 SERVICE VEHICLES BUILT ON VARIOUS CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH CARRIER AIRV CEILING UNITS, MODEL NOS. 68RV0010BA, 68RV0012CA, AND 68RV0010EA. THE HEATER ELEMENT IN THESE ASSEMBLIES MAY BE DEFECTIVE WHICH COULD CAUSE THE UNIT TO CREATE SMOKE OR SPARKS.
Risk: THIS DEFECT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: CUES IS WORKING WITH CARRIER TO REMEDY THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. REPAIRS WILL BE MADE BY CARRIER FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE SEE CARRIER'S DEFECT REPORT 09E-053. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 5, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CARRIER AT 1-877-584-7059 OR CUES AT 1-407-849-0190.
Problem: SPRINTER IS RECALLING 79 MY 2008 DODGE AND FREIGHTLINER 3500 TRUCKS. SOME OF THE LEFT DRIVE SHAFTS ON THE REAR AXLE WHICH WERE LABELED WITH THE CHARGE INDICATOR "S," MAY CONTAIN CRACKS AT THE RADIUS BETWEEN THE SHAFT AND THE FLANGE.
Risk: THESE CRACKS MAY CAUSE A BREAKAGE OF THE DRIVE SHAFT INCREASING THE RISK OF CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE LEFT REAR DRIVE SHAFT FOR CHARGE INDICATOR "S" AND REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 6, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SPRINTER AT 1-843-695-5000.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
NHTSA recall 08V110000 · Mar 11, 2008 · 34 vehicles
Problem: SPRINTER IS RECALLING 34 MY 2007-2008 DODGE AND FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER 3500 CARGO VANS. SOME OF THESE VANS MAY NOT HAVE HAD THE CORRECT BRAKE COMPONENTS INSTALLED.
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE APPROPRIATE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDERS AND BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIRS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SPRINTER AT 1-800-992-1997.
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*
Air bags
4
0
0
0
—
Wheels Hub
2
0
0
0
—
Steering Hydraulic power assist › Pump
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 1, 2019Air bags 2008 FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS IN CONTACT WITH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER BUT, WAS UNABLE TO GET AN UNDERSTANDING IF THE VEHICLE HAD A RECALL AND WHAT DEALER WOULD BE WILLING TO COMPLETE. *JS *DT*DT *JS *JS *JS
Jan 31, 2017Air bags TAKATA RECALL FOR DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT AIRBAG NOTIFIED ME A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO AND THEN NOTIFIED ME TO CONTACT THE LOCAL MERCEDES-BENZ/DAIMLER DEALER, WHICH I DID, BUT THEY SAY THEY HAVE NOT GOT A REPLACEMENT TO INSTALL IN MY VEHICLE. I HAD ALREADY HAD THE PASSENGER AIRBAG REPLACED ON A SIMILAR RECALL. I HAVE HAD NO ACTUAL INCIDENT YET WITH MY ALREADY RECALLED VEHICLE.
Feb 8, 2016Air bags TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V354000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Aug 10, 2015Air bags TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V354000 (AIR BAGS) SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER RECEIVING A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V077000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER FOR SEVERAL MONTHS WITH NO RESPONSE ON WHEN THE RECALL REPAIR WOULD BE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE TO REFER THE CONTACT TO A DEALER TO RECEIVE A REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Jul 6, 2015 · 118,000 milesWheels APPROX. 6:00AM MONDAY MORNING JULY 6TH OF 2015 I HAD A FLAT TIRE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEN I WENT TO GET IN MY TRUCK FOR WORK. UPON INSPECTION THE LEAK WAS SEEPING THRU THE STEEL INNER SURFACE OF THE RIM. APPROX. 2 INCHES AWAY FROM VALVE STEM AREA. FOR THE TIME BEING I DECIDED TO HAVE THE LIKE NEW TIRE JUST PUT ONTO MY OEM SPARE (WHEEL & TIRE) AND JUST USED THAT TO CARRY ON WITH BUSINESS. THE TIRE STORE SAID THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN A FACTORY STEEL WHEEL JUST LEAK AIR WITHOUT A OBVIOUS REASON. THE ONLY ANSWER TO CONTINUE TO USE THE WHEEL WAS TO HAVE A INNER-TUBE PUT IN IT. SO I HAD A KR-16 INNER TUBE PUT IN. APPROX. 6:00AM FRIDAY JULY 10TH I HAD A VERY SOFT TIRE ON DRIVERS SIDE FRONT. I PUMPED…
Jun 20, 2011 · 13,558 milesWheels › Hub 2010 SOLERA FOREST RIVER MOTORHOME BUILT ON A2008 FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER CHASSIS. CONSUMER STATES FAILURE RELATED TO RIVETS WHICH HOLD THE FRICTION LOCKING DEVICES ON THE CHROME ARTIFICIAL WHEEL COVERS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THERE IS A DEFECT ON THE RV WHICH CAN LEAD TO LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE IN BOTH OR ALL FOUR DUAL REAR WHEELS SIMULTANEOUSLY. FAILURE OF THE RIVETS CAUSES THE WHEEL COVER TO BECOME LOOSE AND ATTACH TO THE VEHICLE ONLY BY THE AIR VALVE EXTENSION HOSES WHICH ARE ATTACHED TO THE WHEEL COVER WITH A NUT. THE RIVET FAILURE LEADS TO WEAR THROUGH ARMORED EXTENSION HOSES AND SIMULTANEOUS RAPID LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE TO BOTH DUAL WHEELS AND POSSIBLY ALL FOUR MOUNTED ON THE REAR AXLE…
Jan 3, 2011 · 9,741 milesSteering › Hydraulic power assist › Pump 2008 FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER 3500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A SAFETY CONCERN WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMP *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE ORIGINAL POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PRACTICALLY NEW WITH 9,741 MILES. THE PUMP WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. NOW WITH LESS THAN 13,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, THE NEW PUMP HAS ALSO FAILED. *JB
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021 · openDesiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled…