Selling a broken or junk Dodge Sprinter

A Mercedes van with a Dodge badge

Wikipedia lists the Sprinter as a Daimler product. Dodge sold it from 2003 to 2009, over two generations: the first on the Mercedes-Benz T1N platform (2003-2006 as a Dodge) and the second on the NCV3 platform (2007-2009). It took over from the Dodge Ram Van, and the Ram ProMaster replaced it. The same vans were also sold as Freightliner Sprinters, which is why so many recalls name both brands.

The EPA's fuel economy file has no Dodge Sprinter, so the model years on this page come from NHTSA's records.

What owners reported, by generation

2003-2006 (T1N): engine and cooling, tires, the dash

Owners filed 158 complaints on these four years. Tires lead on the 2003 and 2004. From 2005 on, engine and engine cooling takes over, peaking on the 2006 at 23 of 58 complaints.

Recalls tied to these vans:

• 09V418000 and 11V410000: intake manifolds on 2002-2003 Sprinters could corrode through a chemical reaction with sulfur in diesel fuel. Dealers were to inspect and replace them. The two campaigns list 14,423 and 665 vehicles, and both include Freightliner vans.
• 16V833000: 2003-2006 Dodge and Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vans needed corrected instrument cluster software. Campaign: 17,501 vehicles.
• 07V299000: on trucks with rear air conditioning, the rear interior lamp could be harmed by heat and humidity. Campaign: 4,433 vehicles, which may include other models.

2007-2009 (NCV3): the air bag years

The second-generation Sprinter has 184 complaints, and air bags dominate. On the 2007, air bags are named in 46 of 86. On the 2008 it's 74 of 92. All 6 complaints on the 2009 name air bags.

Two recalls match that pattern. Recall 16V077000 covers driver frontal air bag inflators on 2007-2009 Dodge Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vans built July 1, 2006, to July 31, 2008. Recall 17V478000 covers certain passenger frontal air bag inflators on 2007-2009 vans; dealers replace the passenger air bag. Those campaigns list 136,361 and 43,689 vehicles, and both include Freightliner Sprinters, so the counts are not Dodge-only.

Other second-generation recalls:

• 07V594000: on some 2007 vans, the crankshaft sensor in certain diesel engines could fail when its internal bond wires separated. Campaign: 6,101 vehicles.
• 07V325000: fuel tank strap bolts on some 2007 vans might not have been tightened after the vans were taken apart for shipment to the US. Campaign: 461 vehicles.
• 08V109000: some 2007-2008 Sprinter 2500 passenger vans with the 144-inch wheelbase and standard roof were missing head impact pads. Campaign: 727 vehicles.
• 11V210000: 2008-2009 vans with an optional three-seat bench could have seat belt assemblies that did not meet requirements. Campaign: 3,437 vehicles.
• 10V294000: a spring plate at the oil filler neck on some 2009 vans. Campaign: 2,589 vehicles across Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner and Dodge.

Several smaller campaigns cover wheelchair lifts that conversion companies added, and 11 of the 29 campaigns are not detailed in our data.

Complaints and recalls by model year

These Sprinter numbers match NHTSA records as of October 10, 2026. A 2009 van has spent fewer years on the job than a 2003, so it has drawn fewer reports. 2009 was also the final year Dodge sold it. Many recalls cover more than one model year. So the Sprinter recall column adds up to far more than 29.

Repair or sell?

Begin at NHTSA's recall page with the VIN. On a 2007-2009 van, an open air bag recall is the one to look for.

After that it's a plain comparison. Ask for a written price on the Sprinter repair, then look up a running Sprinter with matching year, length and mileage. When the bill would swallow most of that, the van brings more sold as it sits.

• Diesel running rough or throwing codes? See diesel DPF or DEF trouble.
• Engine won't run at all? Read blown engine.
• Bags already went off after a crash? Airbags deployed explains what that does to the sale.

How the sale works

1. Have the details ready: VIN, mileage, 2500 or 3500, roof height, and what's broken.
2. Get an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Tell us where it's parked. A high-roof van in a garage or a long one at a job site needs the right truck. Say whether it rolls. We offer free pickup anywhere in the US.
4. Leave the van whole. Shelving, seats and racks can stay. If parts are already pulled, mention them.
5. When the Sprinter is picked up, give the driver the title, your ID and any keys. Van titled to a company? See titled to a business.

Comparing Dodge vans and trucks? See the Ram Van, Ram 2500 and Grand Caravan, or every Dodge we cover.