SPRINTER IS RECALLING 10 MY 2001-2006 DODGE AND FREIGHTLINER 2500 AND 3500 VEHICLES

Jul 24, 2008 — Recall Campaign #08V339000

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 ITS INTERIOR VEHICLE MOUNTING BRACKET.

The recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 10 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

08V339000

Manufacturer:	DAIMLERCHRYSLER MANUFACTURING INTL
Recall date:	July 24, 2008
NHTSA Campaign #:	08V339000
Units affected:	10

Description:: 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 ITS INTERIOR VEHICLE MOUNTING BRACKET.
Consequeces:: THE OPERATOR MAY LOSE STEERING ABILITY OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Corrective action:: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMNS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 16, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SPRINTER AT 843-695-5057.
Notes:: CHRYSLER'S RECALL NO. H25.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Affects the following:

2006 DODGE SPRINTER 2500 Complaints
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Sprinter 2500. The contact received notification of Emissions Recall T21 Reprogram Engine Control Unit. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and carbon monoxide fumes were coming into the cabin of the travel trailer and setting off the carbon monoxide alarm. Police have also warned the contact that there would be a fine for black smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the dealer informed the contact that they were not equipped with the tools or had technicians that could perform the recall repair. The dealer referred the contact to a Mercedes-Benz dealer. However, the Mercedes Benz dealer informed the contact that they only perform recall repairs on Mercedes-Benz vehicles. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case but could not get a dealer to perform the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.;
2006 DODGE SPRINTER 3500 Complaints
The contact owns a 2006. Dodge Sprinter 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V833000 (Electrical System, Service Brakes, Hydraulic), and Emissions Recall T21 Reprogram Engine Control Unit however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.;
2006 FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER 2500 Complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER 2500 EQUIPPED WITH ANTARES COMFORT A5 TIRES, SIZE: LT225/75R16 118/16S 10PR, DOT NUMBERS: KBU5114 (PASSENGER SIDE) AND KBU51214 (DRIVER SIDE). WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED BULGES IN THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRES. THE TIRES WERE CHANGED, BUT THE BULGES RETURNED IN BOTH TIRES. THE TIRES WERE NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE AND TIRE MANUFACTURERS WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,443. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE NOT AVAILABLE.;
2006 FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER 3500 Complaints
TURBO RESONATOR PREVENTED ME FROM DRIVING OVER 45 MPH WHILE I WAS ON A 70 MPH FREEWAY! HAD TO HAVE RV TOWED! I WAS TERRIFIED. ADDITIONALLY, I JUST FOUND OUT THAT THE TURBO RESONATOR PART 5137154AC WAS THE SAME ONE USED TO REPLACE THE ONE THAT FAILED. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS PART IS MADE OUT OF PLASTIC, WHICH CRACKS AT HIGH HEAT AND CAUSES MY VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN AND PREVENTS IT FROM GOING UPHILL. THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS TWO DAYS AGO ON SEPT. 28 WITH ONLY 28,160 MILES ON MY RV WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN MY RV WITH MY FAMILY ON A DARK DESERTED HIGHWAY 4 HOURS FROM MY HOME, AND IT JUST WOULDN'T GO OVER 45-50 MPH WITH MY FOOT ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR. I WAS TERRIFIED AGAIN, AS I THOUGHT IT COULD NOT BE THE RESONATOR, AS I HAD IT REPLACED ONLY 18,000 MILES AGO AND IT SHOULD NOT BE FAILING. I COULD NOT FIND A CHRYSLER DEALER WHO WOULD WORK ON MY VEHICLE NEAR WHERE I WAS SO I DROVE IT SLOWLY 74 MILES (TERRFIED WHEN I CAME TO HILLS OR BRIDGES!!!!!!) TO CORPUS CHRISTI TO A MERCEDES DEALER, WHO APPARENTLY JUST REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE PART WITH ANOTHER ONE JUST LIKE IT! I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE ANYWHERE, AS I AM A WOMAN WHO NEEDS TO KNOW THAT SHE IS SAFE WHEN SHE IS TRAVELING, ESPECIALLY WITH MY FAMILY! I KNOW THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS HAD REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH THIS TURBO RESONATOR AND WHO WOULD LIKE FOR THE MANUFACTURER TO RECALL THE PARTS AND REPLACE THEM WITH SOMETHING THAT DOES NOT FAIL AND IS SAFE. PLEASE ADVISE ME WHAT TO DO FROM HERE. *TR;