The defect
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 FORMATION OF SULFURIC ACID IN THE EXHAUST CHANNEL OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD.
The risk
INTAKE MANIFOLD CORROSION MAY LEAD TO AN EXHAUST GAS LEAK, DAMAGE TO THE FUEL RETURN LINE WHICH COULD CAUSE A FUEL LEAK, AND HEAT DAMAGE TO THE INSULATION AT THE FIRE WALL. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FREE OF CHARGE. CHRYSLER, LLC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF DODGE SPRINTERS AND MBUSA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS FREIGHTLINER SPRINTERS. THIS RECALL IS AN EXPANSION OF A PREVIOUS RECALL (PLEASE SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 09V-418). THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403 OR SPRINTER AT 1-843-695-5031.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Dodge Sprinter 2500 | 2002, 2003 |
| Dodge Sprinter 3500 | 2002, 2003 |
| Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | 2002, 2003 |
| Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | 2002, 2003 |
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Sprinter 2500 | 2002 | 0 | 4 |
| Dodge Sprinter 2500 | 2003 | 5 | 5 |
| Dodge Sprinter 3500 | 2002 | 0 | 3 |
| Dodge Sprinter 3500 | 2003 | 0 | 4 |
| Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | 2002 | 0 | 4 |
| Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | 2003 | 6 | 5 |
| Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | 2002 | 0 | 3 |
| Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | 2003 | 2 | 4 |
Other engine and engine cooling recalls in 2011
56 of the 597 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2011 concerned the engine and engine cooling; SPRINTER ENGINEERING & COMPLIANCE SUPPOR filed 12 campaigns in all.
| 11V605000 27 Dec 2011 | DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA |
| 11V592000 19 Dec 2011 | NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
| 11V593000 19 Dec 2011 | AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP. |
| 11V583000 8 Dec 2011 | NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
| 11V576000 5 Dec 2011 | DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA |
| 11V573000 5 Dec 2011 | DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA |
| 11V570000 1 Dec 2011 | SUTPHEN CORPORATION |
| 11V547000 10 Nov 2011 | TIFFIN MOTORHOMES, INC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2011