2008 Dodge Sprinter 3500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2008 Dodge Sprinter 3500 ranks worst of 6 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 100, 39 complaints, and 6 recalls. Airbags account for 85% of complaints, driving the Avoid verdict.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 6 Sprinter 3500 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 39
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Airbags
Top 2008 Dodge Sprinter 3500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags33 (85%)
- Brakes2 (5%)
- Electrical System2 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (5%)
- Engine1 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbag recall parts were reported as unavailable for extended periods, leaving owners waiting to get the passenger frontal airbag replaced.
- Owners reported the vehicle wobbling at various speeds due to uneven front tire wear, sometimes with the issue too large for the dealer's lift to diagnose.
- One owner reported the shifter assembly failing so the transmission would not shift out of park, at a median mileage of 40,994 miles.
- A rear dual wheel was reported to have broken between the bolt holes after a progressively worsening vibration forced a tow, with no clear cause found.
2008 Dodge Sprinter 3500 recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 17V478000Jul 28, 2017Airbags43,689 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2007-2009 Freightliner and Dodge Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled into the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began on September 29, 2017. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Note: This recall fully supersedes recall 15V-354 and partially supersedes recalls 16V-379 and 17V-025.
- NHTSA 16V077000Feb 10, 2016Airbags136,361 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (Daimler Vans) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Dodge Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2006, to July 31, 2008, 2007-2014 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2006, to July 1, 2014, and 2010-2014 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2010, to July 1, 2014. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Daimler Vans will notify the Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner owners and Fiat Chrysler will notify the Dodge owners. The respective dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2017. Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner owners may contact Daimler Van's customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Dodge owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
- 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.
2008 compared with other Sprinter 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Dodge Sprinter 3500 reliable?
- Among the 6 model years tracked, 2008 has the highest complaint index at 100 and ranks worst (1 of 6), with a verdict of Avoid based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2008 Sprinter 3500?
- Airbags are the top problem area, making up 85% of complaints (33 of 39), tied to two separate NHTSA recall campaigns for the passenger frontal airbag inflator.
- Does the 2008 Sprinter 3500 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this year, covering airbags, seat belts, a rear drive shaft, brake components, and a wheelchair-lift platform support issue.
- How does 2008 compare to other Sprinter 3500 years?
- 2008 has the highest complaint index (100) among the years tracked; 2005 has the lowest at 40 and is rated Good, while 2006 (80) and 2007 (60) are rated Avoid and Caution respectively.