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Sprinter 3500Model year report

2005 Sprinter 3500 Problems

Complaints
14filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
5,444miles, 11 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2005 Sprinter 3500 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2005 Sprinter 3500. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 7 complaints (50% of the total), followed by brakes (2) and fuel system (2). 11 of the complaints include a mileage, and 91% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 5,444 miles. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 63 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 7 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “Purchased a new '06 gulfstream rv yesterday. (built on a '05 dodge/freightliner Sprinter 3500 chassis) had 480 (delivery) miles on it. Driving home from southern california, at ~790 miles on odometer, engine suddenly cut momentarily, rpms and power fell, check engine light went on, and I was on hwy 101 for ~30 miles doing 45 as the rest of traffic moved at typical 80 MPH (no other choices but the highway). Very dangerous. There is no apparent problem. I will have it serviced tomorrow. I suspect the well known turbo resonator crack which I have now read about and researched on the internet.”

NHTSA complaint #10175839, filed 2006-12, 790 miles

Brakes: “2005 dodge Sprinter rear tire blew out after front tire blew out- dealer said faulty value stems. Damaged rear rim and had to buy two new tires and rim. Almost same occurance happen to two other sprinters in our fleet. Also, we have to replace brake pads every 12,000 miles. We have had to replace rotors on three sprinters due to rotors seperated from hub. One 04 Sprinter loses power for unknown reason, after stop and restart, power returns-- dealer is clueless.”

NHTSA complaint #10144811, filed 2005-12

Fuel system: “The contact stated there is a crack in the fuel tank. The crack is located where the overflow and fuel tank connect. While fueling the vehicle, fuel spillage occurs. Fuel is also leaking while entering curves. The vehicle was taken to the local dealership for inspection. The dealer discovered the crack however, no parts were available for repairs.”

NHTSA complaint #10149640, filed 2006-02, 1,200 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “Leaving the town of lakeside, or made left turn onto the 101 hwy with traffic not visible due to a curve both ways, accelerated to get up to freeway speed for safety. Found the vehicle would not shift out of third gear. Drove 4-5 miles before I could turn off the freeway. I parked headed downhill, turned off the engine and opened the hood. I then went into the store to use phone; had no luck finding service. I felt I might be able to go back to my destination in third gear so gave it a try. …”

NHTSA complaint #10167655, filed 2006-09, 4,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

91% of the 11 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 4,000 and 12,250 miles.

64%0–1018%10–259%25–500%50–750%75–1009%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (11 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 5,444 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

20052006620072008
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2005 Sprinter 3500 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 63 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 63 bulletins →

Other model years of the Sprinter 3500

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2008628,0001———Not enough data
20062111,5004———Stable
2005145,4442———Not enough data

All Sprinter 3500 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2005 Sprinter 3500 have?

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2005 Sprinter 3500 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2005 Sprinter 3500 is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 7 complaints (50% of the total), followed by brakes with 2.

Has the 2005 Sprinter 3500 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2005 Sprinter 3500 reported?

Among the 11 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 5,444 miles and the middle half falls between 4,000 and 12,250 miles; 91% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.