2006 Dodge Sprinter 3500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2006 Dodge Sprinter 3500 has a complaint index of 80, ranking 2nd-worst among 6 model years, with 24 complaints, mostly engine-related (75%). NHTSA lists 3 recalls, including an instrument cluster and steering column issue, and the verdict is Avoid.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #2 of 6 Sprinter 3500 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 24
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
Top 2006 Dodge Sprinter 3500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine18 (75%)
- Electrical System6 (25%)
- Brakes4 (17%)
- Other2 (8%)
- Fuel System1 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Sudden loss of power while climbing hills, caused by failure of the plastic turbo resonator, sometimes requiring a tow.
- Turbo resonator failures repeated multiple times on the same vehicle even after warranty replacement.
- Dash wiring caught fire while driving on the highway, destroying the wiring loom for dash and engine.
- Headlights failed intermittently while running lights and brights kept working.
- Owners reported difficulty getting the brake-related recall completed because replacement parts were unavailable.
2006 Dodge Sprinter 3500 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V833000Nov 17, 2016Electrical System17,501 vehicles
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
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.
- NHTSA 14V706000Nov 5, 2014Other34 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply (Cummings) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, E-350, Chevrolet Express, 2006-2008 Dodge Sprinter, and 2009-2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2013 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured January 1, 2006, to October 8, 2014, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation after January 1, 2006. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
Risk: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.
Remedy: Cummings will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2015. Owners may contact Cumming's customer service at 1-800-639-5438 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Cumming's number for this recall is 14E-041.
- NHTSA 08V339000Jul 24, 2008Steering10 vehicles
Steering:column
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.
2006 compared with other Sprinter 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Dodge Sprinter 3500 reliable?
- Compared with other Sprinter 3500 model years, the 2006 ranks 2nd-worst out of 6, with a complaint index of 80 and 24 NHTSA complaints, most tied to the engine.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2006 Dodge Sprinter 3500?
- Engine problems dominate, making up 75% of complaints, largely centered on turbo resonator failures causing sudden power loss, with a median failure mileage of 40,880 miles.
- Does the 2006 Dodge Sprinter 3500 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2006 Sprinter 3500, covering the instrument cluster software, a steering column welding defect, and a platform-support issue on converted vans.
- How does the 2006 Sprinter 3500 compare to other years?
- The 2006 model (complaint index 80, Avoid) ranks worse than the 2005 (40, Good) and 2007 (60, Caution), but better than the 2008 (100, Avoid).