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2006 Sprinter 3500 problems

The most common problem on the 2006 Sprinter 3500 is engine and cooling, typically around 11,500 miles. It has 7.0 times the complaints of a typical 3500 model year.

Typical year7.0x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
21
Recalls
4
Service bulletins
65
Worst area
Engine

The worst 2006 Sprinter 3500 problems

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

Problems by type

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

  • Engine
    13
  • Acceleration
    2
  • Electrical
    2
  • Fuel system
    2
  • Transmission
    2
  • Body
    1
  • Brakes
    1
  • Lights
    1
  • Seat belts
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2006 Sprinter 3500

Loss of power 6

Recalls 4

Equipment adaptive/mobilityReported August 6, 2008 · 465 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Daimler buses is recalling 465 my 2004-2008 sprinter 2500 and 3500 buses equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These lifts fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 403, "platform lift systems for motor vehicles." the anti-stow interlock may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user. The pressure sensing switch that detects the presence of weight on the platform was not adjusted to the necessary sensitivity level. The lift could stow even though someone or something is still on the lift.
Risk
A lift occupant can be injured should the lift begin to stow unintentionally.
Remedy
Daimler buses is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts (please see 07e097). Owners may contact ricon at 1‑800‑322‑2884 or daimler buses at 1‑905‑403‑7807.

Recall number 08V387000 · Recall details

Equipment adaptive/mobilityReported March 24, 2008 · 334 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Daimler buses of north carolina (dbnc) is recalling 334 my 2005-2006 sprinter 2500 and my 2003, 2005-2007 sprinter 3500 buses equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These buses fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 404, "platform lift installation in motor vehicles." the threshold warning system may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user in a certain spot within the defined threshold area.
Risk
The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
Remedy
Dbnc is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095). Owners may contact ricon at 1‑818‑267‑3000 or dbnc at 1‑905‑403‑7807.

Recall number 08V134000 · Recall details

Equipment adaptive/mobilityReported March 13, 2007 · 29 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Certain buses equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 403, "platform lift systems for motor vehicles." the interlock switch system in the lift may not detect the presence of a passenger (either wheelchair or standee) on the ricon wheelchair platform lift.
Risk
In the event this condition occurs during passenger operations, it may be possible for the wheelchair to tip backwards onto the platform when the platform was lowered. This could result in injury to the wheelchair's occupant. Also, anyone standing on the platform could lose his or her balance and fall, resulting in injury.
Remedy
Daimlerchrysler is working with ricon to repair these wheelchair lifts (please see 06e101). Owners can contact ricon at 800‑322‑2884 or daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑882‑8054.

Recall number 07V095000 · Recall details

Service brakes, airReported July 3, 2006 · 235 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain trucks built on dodge and freightliner chassis, the brake fluid used was contaminated with coolant. Due to the high water content the boiling point of the subject brake fluid is reduced.
Risk
This may affect the proper function of the brake system during hard braking situations and may lead to an increasing brake distance which could result in a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will flush and replace the brake fluid free of charge. The recall began on july 17, 2006. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑704‑655‑1000.

Recall number 06V238000 · Recall details

See all 4 recalls for the 2006 Sprinter 3500

Technical service bulletins for the 2006 Sprinter 3500 65

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

See all 65 bulletins for the 2006 Sprinter 3500

What 2006 Sprinter 3500 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 18, 2012 · Electrical, Lights · 150,505 miles · CA · fire

While driving saw smoke from right side of roof and pillar, then saw flames, extinguished flames, repairer advised that short in fuse block started the fire, repairs were $13000+ and affected rear lights and seat belts.

Filed Mar 9, 2010 · Engine · 25,341 miles · FL

We purchased a 2006 dodge sprinter 3500 as a 2006 winnebago view class c motorhome with 5010 miles on november 2006. We were traveling april 2007 while crossing the jacksonville bridge on a1a, fl.. The motorhome would not advanced. It lost the power. We made it to the top of the bridge at 20mph. We do not know how we made it. We had to interrupt the trip and go to a dodge dealer and they found the resonator was the problem a few days ago jan. 2010 on the north georgia mountains scenic hwy 348, blairsville, ga; when we got to the highest peak the motorhome would not go at all. We had to back up slowly at least half a mile to find a spot or shoulder to turn around and go downhill. Can you imagine driving backwards on a narrow two lane road on a steep mountain without any kind of protection. This vehicle is a hazard to us and other motorists. This is a very dangerous situation . A recall is needed before someone gets killed.

Filed Oct 12, 2009 · Engine, Transmission · 15,422 miles · VA

Subject: turbo resonator failure I took delivery of a dodge sprinter model 3500 chassis when I purchased a winnebago view in march of 2007. Current mileage: 15,422 I have maintained the vehicle in accordance with the owner's manual. On 8/17/09, I had the resonator, part number 14070001, and the associated air hose, part number 14089002, replaced for the third time. The repair was done by farrish dodge in fairfax, va. The first failure was in 2007, the repair was done by dominion dodge in roanoke, va. The second failure was in 2008, the repair was done by freightliner of hagerstown in hagerstown, md. In each case, I was driving the vehicle at highway speed on an interstate highway when the vehicle suddenly slowed and began to have no power. I was told that when the failure of the resonator is detected, the engine is put into the 'safe' mode at which time the vehicle can only be driven at low speed for a short distance. When I spoke with the service technician at farrish dodge, he informed me that there is no solution to this problem that has been identified by dodge. He did say that this is a fairly common and well-known problem. He also mentioned that he is aware that there is an aftermarket all metal resonator available but could not be sure whether the installation of this would void the warranty on the vehicle. I would like to know when dodge intends to offer a solution to this recurring problem. My warranty will continue to cover this repair for two more years, but at this point, I have no confidence that the problem will not continue to re-occur for the life of the vehicle. The safety concern is that this failure has occurred three times while driving on busy interstate highways at which time the vehicle essentially comes to a near stop without warning. In one case I was almost hit in the rear end by a large truck. I have approached dodge customer service with no useful help.

Filed Jul 1, 2009 · Engine · 18,500 miles · PA

My 2006 sprinter motor home (cab by gulfstream) suffered a resonator failure on june 26th on interstate 81n near bristol tn. It has 18,500 miles on it. I was able to get to the right lane and, in "limp home" mode found a sprinter repair garage and a new resonator was installed. I intend to replace this plastic resonator with an aluminum part. Thanks.

Filed Nov 13, 2008 · Fuel system · 31,000 miles · AZ

Turbo resonator cracked and put sprinter into limp mode. 30 MPH. I have read hundreds of cases on the internet with this item and I had purchased an aluminum alternative resonator in case it happened to me. When it did fail I was able to replace the resonator in 30 minutes. The limp mode is very scary on a freeway when it fails. You cannot accelerate past 30 MPH. I am sure this is so not to hurt the turbo, but in any case the part is a well know defective part.

Filed Oct 25, 2007 · Electrical · 75 miles · FL

2006 dodge ram 3500- vehicle has been in dealership 3+ times for same problem. While driving, check engine light comes on and loses power. Drops to lower gear and continues to lose speed. Sometimes as low as idle only. Ecm has been replaced (2) times and accelerator module (1) and short in wiring repaired?- last repair done on 10/23/07 - drove 69 miles and same problem again. Dealer claims they can not find problem. Have contacted chrysler corp. And started lemon replacement proceedings? This truck was also repaired prior to me purchasing it with only 45 miles on speedometer. Chrysler has ask me to take truck back to dealer for further repair??

Filed Oct 15, 2007 · Acceleration · 30,000 miles · TN

My dodge durango (2006) on two separate occasions has lunged forward with the engine revving up and would not stop until I shifted into neutral and pressed on the brake all the way to the floor. The first time was on 9/4/07 I was approaching a four lane divided road, with traffic in both direction I started to apply my brakes and the vehicle just had a mind of its own and wouldn't stop.

Filed Sep 22, 2007 · Engine · 4,539 miles · WA

This complaint concerns a 2006 dodge sprinter 5 cyl diesel engine failure. I have a 2007 winnebago view rv on a 2006 sprinter. On aug 29 2007 I was traveling on i90 in washington state just west of the snoqualmie pass summit when the vehicle lost power. At that time it had 4539 mile on the odometer. We could have been hit from behind or stranded in the mountains as a result of the failure. The warranty on the vehicle suggest that any repair must be accomplished by a sprinter dealership. The nearest on was over 100 mile away. The parts that failed were the 'temperature sensor (part # 486235aa te 8037155 and the resonator- turbo part # 513715ab) . The sprinter service personnel in and other sprinter owners tell me that the resonator and temperature sensor failure rates are quite high and suggested that I purchase a sensor replacement to carry when traveling. I was also told that there was a service bulletin on this apparent defect in the sprinter engine. I suggest a recall.

Filed Jun 22, 2007 · Engine · 6,725 miles · SC

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 dodge sprinter 3500. While driving 20 MPH uphill, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The dealer stated that the turbo resonator had burst. The vehicle has been repaired. The body style was unknown. The current mileage is 6,887 and failure mileage was 6,725.

Filed Jun 19, 2007 · Acceleration · 87 miles · FL · crash · 1 injury

A 2006 jeep grand cherokee limited required repair the day after purchase. One dealership could not repair it after three attempts. The selling dealership worked on it for 2 weeks, attempted to release it, but could not due to engine light and shaking all over. Two weeks later, released, seemingly okay. The following day crashed while employee had both feet on brakes. Police stated due to unintended acceleration.

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Questions about the 2006 Sprinter 3500

Is the 2006 Sprinter 3500 reliable?

Owners have filed 21 complaints about the 2006 Sprinter 3500, 7.0 times a typical 3500 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2006 Sprinter 3500?

Engine and cooling, with 13 complaints, typically around 11,500 miles. Next is acceleration (2).

How many recalls does the 2006 Sprinter 3500 have?

4 recalls, covering equipment adaptive/mobility and service brakes, air.

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