2008 Dodge Sprinter 3500: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 39 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (85% of complaints); the 2006 and 2007 and 2009 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2017
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“We've had multiple issues with starting the vehicle. After number attempts to eradicate the issue, I Google searched the problems and found that the y connect harness from battery to alternator and starter had been remanufactured for improvement 3 times. I'm uncertain why this part did not have a recall for my vehicle. Mercedes manufacturer for our motor should be responsible for this issue since there have been so many reported issues with this part. Can you please evaluate the complaint and advise.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2025
“Dodge was not able to replace the passenger airbag. No dealers could replace it. I had the passenger airbag replaced by a Mercedes Sprinter dealership and was reimbursed by Dodge. The problem is they can not remove the recall from NHTSA. I still get email and mail telling me to replace the passenger airbag. I've called 4 times over 2 years. Each time they say they'll fix it. It still shows the recall is not complete. How can I remedy this? Dodge has been no help.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2023
“The dodge dealer in bellevue washington refused to perform the recall repairs. They claimed it was because they couldn't put the vehicle on their lift, even though airbag replacement doesn't require that. They referred me to seattle mercedes, which also refused to do the recall.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2019
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“Takata recall I made 2 attempts to contact west valley dodge in ca in which didn't get a call back. I made appt on 11/9 at simi dodge in ca. I told them I had a dodge sprinter on a b class rv. I was told no problem. When I showed up for appt they told me they couldn't do it because of tools needed. I looked on line and no special tools are needed. As I suspected they just didn't want to do the work. A complete waste of my time.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2018
“Vehicle in motion. Progressively worse vibration to the point of requiring a tow. Upon inspection at eddie's truck repair, rapid city, sd found inner left rear ("dual") wheel broken between all holes and slots in center of wheel. No obvious cause. No damage to wheels or tires. All tires properly inflated. All lug nuts tight, properly torqued. Breaks appear new -- no rust. Evidence of broken sections rubbing on each other, had this been a single wheel (not duals) this failure might have resulted in a catastrophic accident. The fact that the outer wheel and tire were in good condition allowed us the time to pull over.”Owner report · Wheels · Sep 2018
“Takata recall. The drivers side air bag was replaced oct 12 2017. In 01/2018 I get a recall for the passenger side air bag. I called freightliner but was told they can no longer replaced the airbag in new york state and they would get back to me. They never did. Ny dmv sent me a notice so I called freightliner and they show no recalls same as your website. What happened? How can I get the airbag replaced now? *dt *dt”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2018
“Takata recall. Received recall notice but dodge dealers will not repair. They either are unauthorized or the vehicle is to big for them. Also contacted the fca recall assistance center. Fca transferred me to mercedes who does not know anything about dodge recalls.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge sprinter 3500. The contact stated that the vehicle did not shift out of park. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (k & m dodge/ram in grand rapids, michigan) where it was diagnosed that the shifter assembly fell and needed replacement. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,994.”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2017
“Takata inflators: in reply to previous complaint10986163 forgot to mention this rv was purchased in 2013 in florida so it was exposed for many years to high humidity”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2017
“Takata inflators: called fairbanks and anchorage dealerships and they are not doing repairs at all. The anchorage dealership sent me to trailer craft of anchorage and they do not have parts yet as they say that alaska is last on the list for parts since we are a low humidity area. I am moving to a high humidity (tenn) area in sept and I am worried to travel 5000 miles with a compromised air bag. I do not think this is fair for us to have to wait because we live in alaska.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2017
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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.
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.
MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 2500 AND 3500 SPRINTER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTIONAL THREE-SEAT BENCH IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE SEAT BENCHES IN THE SECOND SEATING ROW MAY HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH SAFETY BELTS THAT DO NOT MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT," AND MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." FIRST, THOSE SAFETY BELTS MAY NOT LOCK AS REQUIRED. SECOND, THE ASSEMBLY LOOP MAY NOT PERFORM TO MINIMUM FORCE REQUIREMENTS.
Remedy: MERCEDES-BENZ WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE ANY SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT DO NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 843-695-5000.
SPRINTER IS RECALLING 34 MY 2007-2008 DODGE AND FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER 3500 CARGO VANS. SOME OF THESE VANS MAY NOT HAVE HAD THE CORRECT BRAKE COMPONENTS INSTALLED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE APPROPRIATE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDERS AND BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIRS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SPRINTER AT 1-800-992-1997.
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.
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.
SPRINTER IS RECALLING 79 MY 2008 DODGE AND FREIGHTLINER 3500 TRUCKS. SOME OF THE LEFT DRIVE SHAFTS ON THE REAR AXLE WHICH WERE LABELED WITH THE CHARGE INDICATOR "S," MAY CONTAIN CRACKS AT THE RADIUS BETWEEN THE SHAFT AND THE FLANGE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE LEFT REAR DRIVE SHAFT FOR CHARGE INDICATOR "S" AND REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 6, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SPRINTER AT 1-843-695-5000.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sprinter 3500 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Dodge Sprinter 3500 reliable?
NHTSA has 39 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Dodge Sprinter 3500. The most complained-about area is air bags (85% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2008 Dodge Sprinter 3500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 40,994 miles or less.
Does the 2008 Dodge Sprinter 3500 have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment adaptive/mobility. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.