SPRINTER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2003 VANS SOLD AS DODGE AND FREIGHTLINER VEHICLES

Oct 29, 2009 — Recall Campaign #09V418000

SPRINTER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2003 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 recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 14,423 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

09V418000

Manufacturer:	DAIMLERCHRYSLER MANUFACTURING INTL
Recall date:	October 29, 2009
NHTSA Campaign #:	09V418000
Units affected:	14,423

Description:: SPRINTER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2003 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.
Consequeces:: 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 FRONT WALL.
Corrective action:: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FREE OF CHARGE. CHRYSLER, LLC IS HANDLING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 4, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403 OR SPRINTER AT 843-695-5031.
Notes:: SPRINTER SAFETY RECALL NO. 2010040002.OWNERS 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:

2003 DODGE SPRINTER 2500 Complaints
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Sprinter 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V833000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.;
2003 FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER 2500 Complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 N/A FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER VAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE SPEED, THAN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHUTTER AND THE CONTACT LOOKED THRU THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE VIEW MIRROR AND NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM EXHAUST. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND EXITED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WENT TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS NOTICED FLUID WAS SPILLING OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT WENT TO RECEIVE THEIR FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED FIRE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE AND STARTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE BUT DID NOT FULLY PUT OUT THE FLAMES. THE CONTACT THEN HAD HIS WIFE AND FOUR CHILDREN EXIT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND WAITED FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO COME TO THE SCENE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DID COME OUT AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE FULLY. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A NEAR BY TOWED LOT.THE CONTACT CALLED THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER TO HAVE THEM TOW THE VEHICLE TO THEIR LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED OF THE FAILURE BUT THE MANUFACTURER DECLINED DO THAT SO THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW IF THE VEHICLE DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS OR IF THE THAT TOWED LOT SCRAPPED THE VEHICLE FOR PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000. ## VIN PASSED ## SPRINTER (DODGE OR FREIGHTLINER) 2003 ##;
2003 FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER 3500 Complaints
The contact owns a 2003 Freightliner Sprinter 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V418000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.;