DODGE SPRINTER · model year

2003 DODGE SPRINTER

21 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2003DODGESPRINTER carries 21 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2003 SPRINTER is tires with 5 filings, followed by tires:valve (5) and engine and engine cooling:exhaust system (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 20 investigation files overlapping the 2003 SPRINTER, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

21
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

21 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
TIRES5
TIRES:VALVE5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM3
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
TIRES:TREAD/BELT1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD1

Recent Complaints

20100915VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE SPRINTER 2500 EQUIPPED WITH A PGW WINDSHIELD, TINT-LAMINATED, PART NUMBER DW01488GBNN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS DAMAGED BY A STONE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS DISTORTED AND DIFFICULT TO SEE THROUGH. THE CONTACT CALLED THE COMPANY WHO INSTALLED THE WINDSHIELD WHO TOLD HIM TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR A FEW WEEKS AND IF HE WAS STILL NOT SATISFIED, THEY WOULD REPLACE IT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 104,000 UPDATED 1/21/11 *CN UPDATED 03/09/11

20100827ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER SPRINTER 2500. ON JULY 29, 2010, THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V418000 - COMPONENT: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM. THIS RECALL WAS FOR AN ISSUE WITH CORROSION ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. WHEN THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE HE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP IN REGARDS TO GETTING THE RECALL REMEDY PERFORMED. AT THAT TIME THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE CURRENTLY NOT IN STOCK. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TODAY, AUGUST 27, 2010 AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL WOULD NOT BE IN STOCK UNTIL SEPTEMBER 23, 2010. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT HANDLING THIS RECALL IN A PROPER MANNER. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 105,000.

20100805ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING CHRYSLER NON-COMPLIANCE WITH SAFETY RECALL J32-DODGE SPRINTER 03 MANIFOLD/EGR *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE SPENT THE PAST WEEK IN REPEATED UNSUCCESSFUL EFFORTS TO ARRANGE THE NECESSARY MODIFICATIONS WITHOUT HAVING TO INCUR UNREASONABLE EXPENSES. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED CHRYSLER WAS MAKING A DELIBERATE EFFORT TO EVADE THE RECALL BY CREATING HARDSHIPS AND OBSTACLES. *JB

20100504ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

2003 DODGE SPRINTER. CONSUMER STATES DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLD. CONSUMER STATES THAT A NOTICE FROM CHRYSLER REGARDING ARRANGEMENTS TO REPAIR THE DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN RECEIVED *TGW

20100302VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE SPRINTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE PEDAL FAILED WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY COULD NOT FIND THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 50,000

20070922TIRES:VALVE

I HAVE HAD 3 VALVE STEM FAILURES WHERE THE STEM GOES INTO THE RIM IN APPROX 6 WEEKS OF TIME RESULTING IN FLAT TIRES. LAST ONE WAS WHILE PARKED BUT WAS RAPID DEFLATION TOLD STEMS FROM THE FACTORY WERE NOT THE CORRECT STEMS. REPLACED BY THE DEALER FOR FREE ALL STEMS. *JB

Mileage: 49,095

20070824ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I PURCHASED A 2003 DODGE INTREPID IN NOVEMBER OF 2005 AND THE CAR RUNS FINE UP UNTIL ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF AGO. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WOULD GET STUCK IN ONE GEAR AND MY RPM WOULD GO UP INTO THE RED LINE UNLESS I PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE CAR. OTHER TIMES IT WOULD GET STUCK AND THEN JERK INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THEN ABOUT FOUR DAYS AGO I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND THE WHOLE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. I COULD NOT MOVE IT AND TRAFFIC WAS SPEEDING PAST ME AND A FEW HAD TO SLAM ON BREAKS TO AVOID HITTING ME AND MY TEN MONTH OLD DAUGHTER. I HAD TO HAVE SOME PEOPLE HELP ME TO PUSH IT OFF THE FREEWAY SO THAT I COULD RESTART IT TO MAKE IT BACK HOME. I AM VERY FRIGHTENED TO DRIVE NOW ESPECIALLY WITH MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR BECAUSE I AM AFRAID THIS MAY HAPPEN AGAIN. I HAD THE CODES READ ON THE CAR AND ABOUT SEVEN CAME UP ALL POINTING TO DIFFERENT THINGS. A MECHANIC SUGGESTED THE TRANSMISSION ECM. THE ESTIMATED COST OF FIXING THIS IF IT IS THE PROBLEM IS ABOUT 750.00 DOLLARS. *TR

Mileage: 108,356

20070824POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

I PURCHASED A 2003 DODGE INTREPID IN NOVEMBER OF 2005 AND THE CAR RUNS FINE UP UNTIL ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF AGO. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WOULD GET STUCK IN ONE GEAR AND MY RPM WOULD GO UP INTO THE RED LINE UNLESS I PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE CAR. OTHER TIMES IT WOULD GET STUCK AND THEN JERK INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THEN ABOUT FOUR DAYS AGO I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND THE WHOLE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. I COULD NOT MOVE IT AND TRAFFIC WAS SPEEDING PAST ME AND A FEW HAD TO SLAM ON BREAKS TO AVOID HITTING ME AND MY TEN MONTH OLD DAUGHTER. I HAD TO HAVE SOME PEOPLE HELP ME TO PUSH IT OFF THE FREEWAY SO THAT I COULD RESTART IT TO MAKE IT BACK HOME. I AM VERY FRIGHTENED TO DRIVE NOW ESPECIALLY WITH MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR BECAUSE I AM AFRAID THIS MAY HAPPEN AGAIN. I HAD THE CODES READ ON THE CAR AND ABOUT SEVEN CAME UP ALL POINTING TO DIFFERENT THINGS. A MECHANIC SUGGESTED THE TRANSMISSION ECM. THE ESTIMATED COST OF FIXING THIS IF IT IS THE PROBLEM IS ABOUT 750.00 DOLLARS. *TR

Mileage: 108,356

20051011SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

- HAD BRAKES ON 2003 DODGE SPRINTER CHECKED BY LOCAL MECHANIC. SAID THAT THERE WAS ABOUT 40% BRAKE PAD LEFT BUT THE ROTORS WHERE EXTREMELY WORN. I AM WONDERING IF ROTOR LIFE GOES PAST THE BRAKE LIFE AND COULD BE A DANGER. DEALER SAID ROTORS ARE CHANGED EVERYTIME WITH PAD CHANGE! *NM

Mileage: 120,000

20050522ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

WE OPERATE 2 2003 DODGE SPRINTER PASSENGER VANS IN OUR AIRPORT SHUTTLE BUSINESS. ON THURSDAY, MAY 19TH WE HAD A VEHICLE JUST QUIT AFTER START-UP WHEN THE DRIVER STEPPED ON THE GAS. SHE RE-STARTED, DROVE A BLOCK, IT QUITS AGAIN. WE HAD 6 PASSENGERS ONBAORD TO GO TO THE AIRPORT. SHE COULD NOT MAKE THE VEHICLE RUN MORE THAN A FEW BLOCKS AND IF SHE STEPPED ON THE GAS TO ACCELERATE IT WOULD QUIT. WE TOWED IT TO THE DEALER AND THE NEXT DAY IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A WIRE BUNDLE THAT RUNS FROM THE ECU TO THE ENGINE, WHICH IS TIED WRAPPED TO 2 OTHER WIRE BUNDLES HAD CHAFFED RIGHT THRU THE PROTECTIVE NYLON COVER AND WORN THRU 2 OR 3 WIRES IN THE BUNDLE AND COMPLETELY THUR THE INTERNAL WIRE. THESE WIRES WERE THOSE THAT PROVIDED VOLTAGE TO THE FUEL INJECTORS AND HENCE THE FAILURE OF POWER. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO SPLICE THE WIRES AND PUT ON A HEAVY DUTY PLASTIC WIRE BUNDLE WRAP, SIMILAR TOTHOSE USED ELSEWHERE IN THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THIS BUNDLE IS TIED WRAPPED TO THE LOWER FRAME OF TH

Mileage: 190,000

20050303TIRES:TREAD/BELT

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH FRONT DRIVER/REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND CHANGED THE TIRE. MICHELIN , P275R16. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Mileage: 18,000

20050128TIRES

RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V600000 CONCERNING TIRE VALVE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE SWAYED SEVERELY ACROSS THE ROAD. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OFF THE MAIN ROAD, AND NOTICED THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS FLAT. THEN, CONSUMER CHANGED THE TIRE, AND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS BROTHER IN LAW'S HOME. HE INFLATED THE TIRE WITH AIR, AND NOTICED AIR LEAKING FROM THE VALVE STEM. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO GET THE OTHER THREE TIRES REPAIRED UNDER THIS RECALL. *AK

Mileage: 19,000

20050128TIRES:VALVE

RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V600000 CONCERNING TIRE VALVE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE SWAYED SEVERELY ACROSS THE ROAD. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OFF THE MAIN ROAD, AND NOTICED THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS FLAT. THEN, CONSUMER CHANGED THE TIRE, AND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS BROTHER IN LAW'S HOME. HE INFLATED THE TIRE WITH AIR, AND NOTICED AIR LEAKING FROM THE VALVE STEM. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO GET THE OTHER THREE TIRES REPAIRED UNDER THIS RECALL. *AK

Mileage: 19,000

20040820TIRES

I HAVE A 2003 FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER VAN, MADE BY MERCEDES, AND WHILE ON A TRIP I NOTICED A LOW TIRE AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ADD AIR THE VALVE STEM THREADED BRASS PART SEPARATED FROM THE NEOPRENE. I TOOK IT TO A TIRE PLACE AND HAD THE VALVE STEM REPLACED. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, ON THE TRIP BACK TO FLORIDA, I WOKE UP IN THE MORNING TO FIND ANOTHER DIFFERENT TIRE FLAT WITH THE VALVE STEM DELAMINATED AND I CHANGED IT MYSELF. WHEN I GOT HOME, I CONTACTED DODGE FOR HELP GOT A COLD SHOULDER. I THEN HAD ALL 5 DISMOUNTED AND METAL STEMS INSTALLED. I HAVE THE FAILED STEMS IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM. I AM A MEMBER OF A CHAT GROUP DEVOTED TO THE SPRINTER AND SEVERAL OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM. I THINK THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM AND COULD RESULT IN A HIGHWAY ACCIDENT WITH SERIOUS RESULTS. *AK PE04066_CAT

Mileage: 16,500

20040820TIRES:VALVE

I HAVE A 2003 FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER VAN, MADE BY MERCEDES, AND WHILE ON A TRIP I NOTICED A LOW TIRE AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ADD AIR THE VALVE STEM THREADED BRASS PART SEPARATED FROM THE NEOPRENE. I TOOK IT TO A TIRE PLACE AND HAD THE VALVE STEM REPLACED. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, ON THE TRIP BACK TO FLORIDA, I WOKE UP IN THE MORNING TO FIND ANOTHER DIFFERENT TIRE FLAT WITH THE VALVE STEM DELAMINATED AND I CHANGED IT MYSELF. WHEN I GOT HOME, I CONTACTED DODGE FOR HELP GOT A COLD SHOULDER. I THEN HAD ALL 5 DISMOUNTED AND METAL STEMS INSTALLED. I HAVE THE FAILED STEMS IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM. I AM A MEMBER OF A CHAT GROUP DEVOTED TO THE SPRINTER AND SEVERAL OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM. I THINK THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM AND COULD RESULT IN A HIGHWAY ACCIDENT WITH SERIOUS RESULTS. *AK PE04066_CAT

Mileage: 16,500

20040808TIRES

TIRE VALVES SUDDENLY ALLOW AIR TO ESCAPE FROM WHEEL, A COLLISION COULD HAVE EASILY OCCURRED. FOUND THAT THE VALVE WAS FAULTY, AND FAILED DUE TO HIGH TEMPERATURES GENERATED BY DISC BRAKES.*AK PE04066_CAT

Mileage: 13,955

20040808TIRES:VALVE

TIRE VALVES SUDDENLY ALLOW AIR TO ESCAPE FROM WHEEL, A COLLISION COULD HAVE EASILY OCCURRED. FOUND THAT THE VALVE WAS FAULTY, AND FAILED DUE TO HIGH TEMPERATURES GENERATED BY DISC BRAKES.*AK PE04066_CAT

Mileage: 13,955

20040807POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

THIS STUFF IS DANGEROUS. I'VE LOST THREE TIRE VALVES IN LESS THAN 1000 MILES AND THE LAST WAS SUDDEN AND VIOLENT. HONESTLY, I THOUGHT I'D DONE SOMETHING WRONG, BUT I'VE USED ONLY MR. CLEAN WASH SYSTEM AND A VERY DILUTE DEGREASER ON THE WHEELS. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TRY TO REMOVE THE STEMS WITHOUT FURTHER DAMAGING THE VALVES AT DISCOUNT BUT WE PERFOMRED A LITTLE EXPERIMENT BEFORE DISSEMBLING THE TIRE. WE RAN THE PSI UP TO 80 OFF THE VEHICLE AND WATCHED WHERE THE AIR ESCAPED THE VALVE. THERE IS A RUBBER COLLER THAT RUNS ABOUT 1/2 UP THE METAL VALVE STEM. THE AIR LEAKS FROM THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE SEAL WHERE THE RUBBER ENDS AND METAL BEGINS. HOWEVER, ANY SLIGHT PRESSURE OFF-CENTER RESULTS IN AIRFLOW FROM THE JUNCTION OF THE VALVE AND RIM. FURTHER PRESSURE EMPTIES THE TIRE PRETTY QUICK. THE FIRST TWO LEAKS WERE DISCOVERED HISSING IN PARKING LOTS AFTER A TRIP INTO A STORE. THE LAST, I LEFT MY DRIVEWAY, ALL WELL AND GOT ABOUT 1/16 MILE FROM THE HOUSE. THE VAN STARTED SHUDDERING A

Mileage: 8,945

20040807TIRES

THIS STUFF IS DANGEROUS. I'VE LOST THREE TIRE VALVES IN LESS THAN 1000 MILES AND THE LAST WAS SUDDEN AND VIOLENT. HONESTLY, I THOUGHT I'D DONE SOMETHING WRONG, BUT I'VE USED ONLY MR. CLEAN WASH SYSTEM AND A VERY DILUTE DEGREASER ON THE WHEELS. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TRY TO REMOVE THE STEMS WITHOUT FURTHER DAMAGING THE VALVES AT DISCOUNT BUT WE PERFOMRED A LITTLE EXPERIMENT BEFORE DISSEMBLING THE TIRE. WE RAN THE PSI UP TO 80 OFF THE VEHICLE AND WATCHED WHERE THE AIR ESCAPED THE VALVE. THERE IS A RUBBER COLLER THAT RUNS ABOUT 1/2 UP THE METAL VALVE STEM. THE AIR LEAKS FROM THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE SEAL WHERE THE RUBBER ENDS AND METAL BEGINS. HOWEVER, ANY SLIGHT PRESSURE OFF-CENTER RESULTS IN AIRFLOW FROM THE JUNCTION OF THE VALVE AND RIM. FURTHER PRESSURE EMPTIES THE TIRE PRETTY QUICK. THE FIRST TWO LEAKS WERE DISCOVERED HISSING IN PARKING LOTS AFTER A TRIP INTO A STORE. THE LAST, I LEFT MY DRIVEWAY, ALL WELL AND GOT ABOUT 1/16 MILE FROM THE HOUSE. THE VAN STARTED SHUDDERING A

Mileage: 8,945

20040807TIRES:VALVE

THIS STUFF IS DANGEROUS. I'VE LOST THREE TIRE VALVES IN LESS THAN 1000 MILES AND THE LAST WAS SUDDEN AND VIOLENT. HONESTLY, I THOUGHT I'D DONE SOMETHING WRONG, BUT I'VE USED ONLY MR. CLEAN WASH SYSTEM AND A VERY DILUTE DEGREASER ON THE WHEELS. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TRY TO REMOVE THE STEMS WITHOUT FURTHER DAMAGING THE VALVES AT DISCOUNT BUT WE PERFOMRED A LITTLE EXPERIMENT BEFORE DISSEMBLING THE TIRE. WE RAN THE PSI UP TO 80 OFF THE VEHICLE AND WATCHED WHERE THE AIR ESCAPED THE VALVE. THERE IS A RUBBER COLLER THAT RUNS ABOUT 1/2 UP THE METAL VALVE STEM. THE AIR LEAKS FROM THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE SEAL WHERE THE RUBBER ENDS AND METAL BEGINS. HOWEVER, ANY SLIGHT PRESSURE OFF-CENTER RESULTS IN AIRFLOW FROM THE JUNCTION OF THE VALVE AND RIM. FURTHER PRESSURE EMPTIES THE TIRE PRETTY QUICK. THE FIRST TWO LEAKS WERE DISCOVERED HISSING IN PARKING LOTS AFTER A TRIP INTO A STORE. THE LAST, I LEFT MY DRIVEWAY, ALL WELL AND GOT ABOUT 1/16 MILE FROM THE HOUSE. THE VAN STARTED SHUDDERING A

Mileage: 8,945

Compare 2003DODGESPRINTER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2003 DODGE SPRINTER have?
The 2003 DODGE SPRINTER has 21 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 DODGE SPRINTER?
The most-complained component for the 2003 DODGE SPRINTER is TIRES with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include TIRES:VALVE and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM.
Is the 2003 DODGE SPRINTER safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.