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2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 problems

The most common problem on the 2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 is engine and cooling. It has 2.0 times the complaints of a typical Sprinter 2500 model year.

Typical year2.0x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
6
Recalls
5
Service bulletins
21
Worst area
Engine

The worst 2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Engine
    4
  • Brakes
    1
  • Electrical
    1
  • Fuel system
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Engine
    4
  • Brakes
    1
  • Electrical
    1
  • Fuel system
    1

Recalls 5

Electrical system: instrument cluster/panelReported November 17, 2016 · 17,501 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.

Recall number 16V833000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust systemReported August 9, 2011 · 665 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 11V410000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust systemReported October 29, 2009 · 14,423 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 09V418000 · Recall details

Steering: columnReported July 24, 2008 · 10 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.

Recall number 08V339000 · Recall details

Interior lightingReported July 13, 2007 · 4,433 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.

Recall number 07V299000 · Recall details

See all 5 recalls for the 2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500

Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 21

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 21 bulletins for the 2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500

What 2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 31, 2021 · Engine · 93,000 miles · LA · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2003 n/a freightliner sprinter van. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle began to lose speed, than the vehicle began to shutter and the contact looked thru the rear passenger side view mirror and noticed black smoke coming from exhaust. The contact merged to the side of the road. The contact put the vehicle in park and exited out of the vehicle. The contact went to the front of the vehicle when it was noticed fluid was spilling out of the vehicle and smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact went to receive their fire extinguishers and opened the hood and noticed fire coming from underneath the and started to extinguish the fire but did not fully put out the flames. The contact then had his wife and four children exit out of the vehicle and waited for the fire department to come to the scene. The fire department did come out and extinguished the fire fully. A fire report was filed. No one was injured. The vehicle was towed to a near by towed lot.the contact called the vehicle manufacturer to have them tow the vehicle to their local dealer to have inspected and diagnosed of the failure but the manufacturer declined do that so the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact does not know if the vehicle deemed a total loss or if the that towed lot scrapped the vehicle for parts. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 93,000. ## VIN passed ## sprinter (dodge or freightliner) 2003 ##

Filed Sep 4, 2020 · Brakes, Electrical · 320,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 freightliner sprinter 2500. The contact stated while driving 14 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the master warning light was illuminated. The contact parked on the side of the roadway. The vehicle was then slowly driven back to his residence. The contact called mercedes-benz of louisville located at 2520 terra crossing blvd, louisville, ky 40245, (502) 896-4411, and the dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact called an independent mechanic and made an appointment to have the vehicle repaired. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v833000 (electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of failure. The failure mileage was 320,000.

Filed Jul 22, 2014 · Engine · 243,000 miles · NM

Vehicle experienced reduced power and whoosh sound. Found intake manifold with cracks leaking exhaust from egr runner. Made temporary repair on the road and was able to return to shop. Found there was a recall on this part (2010-040002) but have been unable to get repair from daimler vans USA.

Filed Feb 7, 2013 · Engine · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 freightliner sprinter 2500. The contact stated after receiving a recall notice for the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v410000 (engine and engine cooling), the contact called the dealer. The dealer stated that they could not remedy the vehicle due to the dealer not being able to work on vans. The contact then called the manufacturer to find out where to take the vehicle. The nearest dealer was too far to drive for the contact. The manufacturer then stated to call freightliner regarding the recall. Freightliner informed the contact that they were not responsible for the repair of this vehicle. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Filed Jun 15, 2012 · Engine · 330,000 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 freightliner sprinter 2500. The contact stated after receiving a recall notice, he took the vehicle was taken to a local dealer. The dealer stated the contact had to pay to have the recall repair performed on the vehicle. The contact stated the recall said the remedy was free of charge. The contact called the manufacturer to verify. The failure mileage was 330,000. Updated 07/05/12*lj the dealer confirmed the intake manifold replacement was covered by the recall. However, the dealer stated they would need to replace the fuel lines, which could be damaged during the removal of the intake manifold. The consumer was informed it would cost $300 to replace the fuel lines. Updated 07/10/12 updated 07/19/12.

Filed Jun 15, 2010 · Fuel system · TN

I received a recall notice for my vehicle. I contacted the number in the letter to have the problem corrected. After speaking with a representative, I was informed that the closest repair center was 110 miles away. The service center where the work would be performed is only open m-f, 7a-5p. In order for me to get the affected vehicle for repaired, I would have to take off work and lose a day's pay or longer. The representative offered no help in overcoming my dilemma.

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Questions about the 2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500

Is the 2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 reliable?

Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500, 2.0 times a typical Sprinter 2500 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500?

Engine and cooling, with 4 complaints. Next is brakes (1).

How many recalls does the 2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 have?

5 recalls, covering electrical system, engine and engine cooling and steering.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 engine?

Yes, 2 recalls: 11V410000, 09V418000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

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