2003 Sprinter 3500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
2 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
120,250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 2 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts | 1 |
| Tires | 1 |
Seat Belts: 1; Tires: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 1 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 |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
2011: 1; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts leads the component reports. 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10393173 · 2011-03-21 (March 21, 2011)
2003 SPRINTER 3500 SHC, UNIT 1 AND UNIT 2 WERE WESTBOUND ON THE TURNPIKE WHEN A SET OF DUAL TIRES CAME OFF UNIT 1 AND STRUCK UNIT 2. BOTH UNITS SUBSEQUENTLY PULL OVER ON THE NORTH SHOULDER. *BF THE LEFT REAR DUALS SHEERED OFF THE HUB. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0062-89)*JB UPDATED 03/29/11 *BF
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10393173 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10493560 · 2013-01-20 (January 20, 2013)
PASSENGER SEAT BELT KEPT LOCKING WHILE VAN WAS MOVING AND THEN WOULD NOT RETRACT AT ALL. DRIVER SIDE RETRACTS BUT VERY SLOWLY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 120,250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10493560 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
03V082000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-Inactive
Reported: 2003-03-06 (March 6, 2003)
ON CERTAIN VANS, A CAPACITOR WITHIN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT FOR THE AIR BAG CAN CRACK AND THE AIR BAG MAY NOT ACTIVATE AS DESIGNED. THIS CONDITION IS SIGNALED TO THE DRIVER BY THE SRS-WARNING LAMP.
Consequence: THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY CORRECTLY IN A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A SEAT OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT FOR THE AIR BAG. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 14, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER INTERNATIONAL AT 1-704-655-1052.
NHTSA campaign record ↗08V134000 · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
Reported: 2008-03-24 (March 24, 2008)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗