Freightliner SPRINTER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
16 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
25,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 to 2007 model years. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 16 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 3 | 18.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 12.5% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 12.5% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 6.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 1 |
| Parking Brake | 1 |
Air Bags: 4; Electrical System: 2; Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control: 1; Parking Brake: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 7 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2004: 2; 2005: 3; 2006: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 2; 2018: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10108895 · 2005-01-25 (January 25, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10108895 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10278738 · 2009-07-29 (July 29, 2009)
I OWN A 2004 FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER WITH THE 2.7 DIESEL MOTOR. I HAVE HAD TWO FAILURES OF THE TURBO RESONATOR THAT IS A CHEAP PLASTIC PART THAT WILL FAIL REPEATEDLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO "LIMP" MODE WITH LOSS OF POWER THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS. IT IS WELL KNOWN THAT MANY FAILURES OF THIS PART ARE COMMON AND THE MERCEDES FACTORY WILL DO NOTHING TO CORRECT IT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 66,288 miles reported. Look up ODI 10278738 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10121243 · 2005-05-17 (May 17, 2005)
TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM ON DIFFERENT TYPES OF TERRAIN, BUT IT HAS BEEN MOST COMMON IN AREAS WITH STEEP HILLS. AFTER ACCELLERATING TO MAINTAIN SPEED WHILE CLIMBING A STEEP INCLINE AND FEATHERING THE THROTLE AS THE HILL IS TOPPED, THE (AUTOMATIC) TRANSMISSION KICKS COMPLETELY OUT OF GEAR ON THE DESCENT AND WILL NOT RE-ENGAGE WITHOUT BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP, SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL OR PARK AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE. SO FAR, THE DRIVERS FOLLOWING ME HAVE ALL PASSED THE BRAKE TEST AND THEIR HORNS SEEM TO …
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10121243 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10218013 · 2008-02-14 (February 14, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FREIGHTLINER FOURWINDS MANDALAY (NA). WHILE DRIVING 50-65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED AND SHOOK. THE WHEEL SLIDES OR MOVES ON THE TIRE RIM AND SHIFTS OUT OF THE CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES. EVERY TIME THE CONTACT DRIVES OVER A BUMP, THE RIM MOVES OR SLIDES ON THE HUB. THE HOLE IN THE RIM IS TOO LARGE FOR THE HUB. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10218013 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10083791 · 2004-07-29 (July 29, 2004)
THE PARKING BRAKE WORE OUT WHICH CAUSED THE CALIPERS AND CABLE TO FREEZE. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT THE PARKING BRAKES WERE HAVING A LOT OF FAILURES. MANUFACTURER AND DEALERSHIP WERE NOT PROVIDING ANY ASSISTANCE ON THIS ISSUE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10083791 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 0 |
| 2004 | 0 |
| 2005 | 0 |
| 2007 | 2 |
2002: 0; 2004: 0; 2005: 0; 2007: 2