Recalls (3)
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗BRAKE Indicator Lamp Inoperative/FMVSS 105
- Summary
- 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."
- Consequence
- 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.
STEERING COLUMNS
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
REAR AIRCONDITIONING/INTERIOR LAMPS
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (21)
21 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine and engine cooling is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 21 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 28.6% |
| Engine | 4 | 19% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 9.5% |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 9.5% |
| Structure | 2 | 9.5% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 9.5% |
| Wheels | 2 | 9.5% |
| Fuel system | 1 | 4.8% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 4.8% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 4.8% |
How 2005 compares with other Sprinter 2500 years
Best and worst Sprinter 2500 years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 | 2 |
| 2003 | 5 | 5 |
| 2004 | 12 | 3 |
| 2005 | 21 | 3 |
| 2006 | 34 | 5 |
| 2007 | 24 | 5 |
| 2008 | 53 | 5 |
| 2009 | 3 | 4 |
| 2013 | 2 | 0 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Looking at a 2005 Sprinter 2500 for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 FAQ
How many recalls does the 2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 16V833000 (brake), 08V339000 (steering), 07V299000 (lighting). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 problems?
Owners filed 21 complaints with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling (6), Engine (4), Electrical system (2) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
How does the 2005 Sprinter 2500 compare with other years?
Among the 2001–2013 Dodge Sprinter 2500 model years at least five years old, the 2001 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2008 the most (53). The 2005 drew 21. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.