Freightliner Sprinter 2500 · model year

2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500

8 NHTSA complaints, and 5 recall campaigns listed for this cohort. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

Complaints
8
Recalls
5

The verdict

The 2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 posts above-average complaint volume among its own model-year siblings.

7th pctile
complaint volume, own model years
5
recall campaigns

The 2003FreightlinerSprinter 2500 carries 8 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 1 fire, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 2003 Sprinter 2500 is engine with 3 filings, followed by fuel system, diesel (1) and engine and engine cooling:exhaust system (1). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause. This cohort has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns listed below. Enter a VIN in NHTSA's official recall lookup to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

NHTSA currently has 38 investigation files overlapping the 2003 Sprinter 2500. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.

8
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
F
PlainCars Safety Score
0/100
2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500

PlainCars' own composite of NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings and rollover-risk assessment, each dimension normalized against the federal scale or the full national model-year corpus. Not an official NHTSA figure, and not a substitute for a specific vehicle's VIN-level recall check.

NHTSA Overall Rating N/A
Not rated
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program overall crash-test rating.
Front Crash N/A
Not rated
Frontal barrier crash-test rating.
Side Crash N/A
Not rated
Side barrier and pole crash-test rating.
Rollover Resistance N/A
Not rated
Static stability factor + dynamic rollover test rating.
Rollover Risk N/A
Not reported
NHTSA single-vehicle rollover probability, dynamic test.

Total Complaints

8 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
ENGINE3
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1

Recalls (5)

09V41800029/10/2009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

SPRINTER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2003 VANS SOLD AS DODGE AND FREIGHTLINER VEHICLES. THE INTAKE MANIFOLDS MAY HAVE CORRODED. A CHEMICAL REACTION INVOLVING SULFUR IN THE DIESEL FUEL THAT TAKES PLACE UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS CAN LEAD TO THE FORMATION OF SULFURIC ACID IN THE EXHA

08V33900024/07/2008

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

16V83300017/11/2016

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

07V29900013/07/2007

INTERIOR LIGHTING

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

11V41000009/08/2011

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

MERCEDES-BENZ USA (MBUSA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002- 2003 SPRINTER 2500 AND 3500 VANS SOLD AS DODGE AND FREIGHTLINER VEHICLES. THE INTAKE MANIFOLDS MAY HAVE CORRODED. A CHEMICAL REACTION INVOLVING SULFUR IN THE DIESEL FUEL THAT TAKES PLACE UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS CAN LEAD TO THE FORMA

Recent Complaints

20210331FireENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 N/A FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER VAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE SPEED, THAN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHUTTER AND THE CONTACT LOOKED THRU THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE VIEW MIRROR AND NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM EXHAUST. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND EXITED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WENT TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS NOTICED FLUID WAS SPILLING OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT WENT TO RECEIVE THEIR FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED FIRE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE AND STARTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE BUT DID NOT FULLY PUT OUT THE FLAMES. THE CONTACT THEN HAD HIS WIFE AND FOUR CHILDREN EXIT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND WAITED FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO COME TO THE SCENE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DID COME OUT AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE FULLY. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO

Mileage: 93,000

20200904ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 14 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MASTER WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN SLOWLY DRIVEN BACK TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF LOUISVILLE LOCATED AT 2520 TERRA CROSSING BLVD, LOUISVILLE, KY 40245, (502) 896-4411, AND THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V833000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 320,000.

Mileage: 320,000

20200904SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 14 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MASTER WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN SLOWLY DRIVEN BACK TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF LOUISVILLE LOCATED AT 2520 TERRA CROSSING BLVD, LOUISVILLE, KY 40245, (502) 896-4411, AND THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V833000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 320,000.

Mileage: 320,000

20140722ENGINE

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED REDUCED POWER AND WHOOSH SOUND. FOUND INTAKE MANIFOLD WITH CRACKS LEAKING EXHAUST FROM EGR RUNNER. MADE TEMPORARY REPAIR ON THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO RETURN TO SHOP. FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PART (2010-040002) BUT HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET REPAIR FROM DAIMLER VANS USA. *TR

Mileage: 243,000

20130207ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V410000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT REMEDY THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE DEALER NOT BEING ABLE TO WORK ON VANS. THE CONTACT THEN CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO FIND OUT WHERE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE. THE NEAREST DEALER WAS TOO FAR TO DRIVE FOR THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER THEN STATED TO CALL FREIGHTLINER REGARDING THE RECALL. FREIGHTLINER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR OF THIS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

20120615ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE RECALL SAID THE REMEDY WAS FREE OF CHARGE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO VERIFY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 330,000. UPDATED 07/05/12*LJ THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD REPLACEMENT WAS COVERED BY THE RECALL. HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THEY WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE FUEL LINES, WHICH COULD BE DAMAGED DURING THE REMOVAL OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT WOULD COST $300 TO REPLACE THE FUEL LINES. UPDATED 07/10/12 UPDATED 07/19/12.

Mileage: 330,000

20120615ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER 2500. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE RECALL SAID THE REMEDY WAS FREE OF CHARGE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO VERIFY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 330,000. UPDATED 07/05/12*LJ THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD REPLACEMENT WAS COVERED BY THE RECALL. HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THEY WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE FUEL LINES, WHICH COULD BE DAMAGED DURING THE REMOVAL OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT WOULD COST $300 TO REPLACE THE FUEL LINES. UPDATED 07/10/12 UPDATED 07/19/12.

Mileage: 330,000

20100615FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR MY VEHICLE. I CONTACTED THE NUMBER IN THE LETTER TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED. AFTER SPEAKING WITH A REPRESENTATIVE, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE CLOSEST REPAIR CENTER WAS 110 MILES AWAY. THE SERVICE CENTER WHERE THE WORK WOULD BE PERFORMED IS ONLY OPEN M-F, 7A-5P. IN ORDER FOR ME TO GET THE AFFECTED VEHICLE FOR REPAIRED, I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE OFF WORK AND LOSE A DAY'S PAY OR LONGER. THE REPRESENTATIVE OFFERED NO HELP IN OVERCOMING MY DILEMMA. *TR

Compare 2003FreightlinerSprinter 2500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Vehicle Safety Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 have?
The 2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 has 8 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500?
Yes, the 2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500?
The most-complained component for the 2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 is ENGINE with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM.
Is the 2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 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.

Data vintage: August 2026. 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.

Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 2003 Freightliner Sprinter 2500; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.