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Vans & Minivans Dodge Sprinter Dodge Sprinter
1262 messages, Last post on Nov 24, 2009 at 4:19 PM
You are in the Dodge Sprinter Forum. Your Host is Karens
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I'm a Fed Ex Home Delivery Contractor with the first Sprinter (158 Tall 2500) in our terminal (10/04). I fought a fierce fight to get it over the "bread truck" delivery vehicle. I'm very, very dissatisfied with the vehicle. I was never a fan of German vehicles (compared to my experience with Japanese engineering and reliability); owning and operating this van over the past 2 1/2 years has thoroughly convinced that this vehicle is nothing short of a nightmare! Overly complicaterd yet under engineered. Is this the price we Americans pay for WWII?? Still, I would like to join the discussion and add my two cents, learning from you while sharing from my experiences, in hopes of helping the uninitiated avoid the same pitfalls. Currently, my vehicle is in the shop since Tuesday, needing new glow plugs requiring removal of the head. At 144K!! It wouldnt start Tuesday for work; -8 that day. How can MB stay in business marketing a vehicle that has this many problems? It is so under-engineered... excessive tire wear, brakes, tie rods, ck engine light issues, EGR valves, preheater, serpentine belt tensioner, fuel lines bursting, batteries, turn signal assembly, wheel bearings, HVAC controller, front doors hyperextending and bending, rear doors wont stay shut, numerous parts not mentioned previously failing, bulbs burning out constantly, lack of adequate dealer servicing, parts on national backorder, severe traction issues on any loose/ slippery surface... the list goes on and on. Anyway, just wanted to throw my hat in the ring.
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Replying to: paulkfedex (Feb 09, 2007 8:11 pm)   
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Calling sprinterdoc Have you seen any problems with the rear lights going on and off. I go out to warm the van, dark out, and no tail lights. Other times just one on. But if you tap the lens it turns on. Makes you wonder when I hit small bumps if they are sending out morse codes. Thanks, Tom 
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Replying to: sprinterdoc (Feb 10, 2007 1:25 pm) 1) the turbo kicks in under acceleration, especially in left turns which we all take a bit faster than we should. After getting started rolling, fight the urge to surge through the turn (your tires will love you). 2) as a delivery van I have to assume that you run heavy at times and at others nearly empty? heavy loads require near max tire pressures to be correct (75+ lbs). When empty, the best pressures I have established are 65 rear and 55 front (not experienced any bad wear in 22,000 miles). 3) tell us about your load balancing routine... biggest weight in front, middle, rear? LIFO (last in first out), LILO (last in last out), load from rear deliver from side? Brakes I have no experience with replacing, but get the messages from around the boards that: 1) you should not use stock brakes for delivery (need ceramics I think they say) 2) may need rotors with evey brake change. If so, do your own... only a parts switch (no rotor turning required) and the rotors are not a part of the hub so they change out easily. 3) downshift to save brakes... change trans fluid at 80K and then every 60K (or every 60K including the first one). My brakes grumble and grind alot at times. I presume that this is when a new abrasive particle is uncovered in the brake pad matrix and it is smoothing itself down. At 22K miles I don't have worn out brakes, but I do have grumbling that would sound like it on my other van (GMC Safari) KenB  
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Replying to: 2000_valk (Feb 12, 2007 5:12 pm)
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Replying to: 2000_valk (Feb 13, 2007 5:44 pm) my two guesses and $0.02 are these: 1) you have a voltage control regulator that is marginal (probably part of the alternator, but I am not in the schematic now). Probably running on the high side of range. 2) turning on/off headlights while bouncing along greatly shortens their life (a couple of friends proved it once quite some time ago) but generally not as bad as you report experiencing. I just have 22K on my van, but no burn outs yet. What brand of replacement capsules do you buy? Never use the Taiwan/China versions if you don't have to. In the past I have had the best luck with Wagner and Sylvania or maybe GE (in that order). Anxious to know what brands last best. Everybody who has experience please chime in! Thanks, KenB
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Dodge Introduces All-new 2007 Sprinter http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/02-14-200- 7/0004527580&EDATE= 'Super-sized' Sprinter is Longer, Wider and taller; Offers More Space, Choices, Features and Innovations --Increase in maximum width (two inches), interior height (11 inches), exterior height (13 inches), door opening height (5 inches), cargo area length (19 inches), vehicle length (30 inches), cargo volume (127 cu. ft.), and towing capacity (2,500 lbs.) --Three vehicle lengths (233, 273 and 289 inches) on two new wheelbases -- 144 inches, 170 inches or 170 inches extended with 15-inch longer rear overhang, the longest wheelbase in the segment --Three interior roof height options: standard (65 inches), high (76 inches) and new mega (84 inches) -- most among full-size vans --Choice of two all-new engines: new 3.0-liter V-6 diesel or 3.5-liter V-6 gas engine --Most best-in-class advantages including cargo capacity (up to 600 cubic feet), interior compartment accessibility, payload (5,770 lbs.), lowest side step-in height (19.9 inches), widest rear-door opening (270 degrees), cargo- sliding door loading width (51 inches), and increased interior height (up to 84 inches) providing up to 7-feet interior work space --Three Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) configurations include new higher maximum (11,030 lbs.) --Oil change intervals of 10,000 miles and maintenance intervals of 30,000 miles contribute to low maintenance costs --More than 25 advanced safety and security features represent highest level of safety and security technology available in the full-size van segment --All-new ADAPTIVE ESP(R) takes electronic stability programs to the next level --Unique CARGO PROTECTION(R) system reduces accident risk from shifting loads --Unmatched upfit-friendly design --New standard features include power windows and locks, integrated wide- angle mirrors, halogen headlamps, 16-inch wheels, tilt- and height-adjustable steering wheel, CD radio, one-touch triple-flash function turn signals, and all-new ADAPTIVE ESP for improved functionality and safety capability TORONTO, Feb. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Armed with an all-new super- sized Sprinter, Dodge continues to build on its presence in the commercial vehicle market. Completely redesigned, the all-new 2007 Dodge Sprinter breaks the mold of current domestic van offerings and delivers superior quality, reliability and commercial capability, along with unequalled attributes that allow commercial customers to do even more. "The all-new 2007 Dodge Sprinter raises the bar and sets a new commercial standard in the full-size van market," said George Murphy, Senior Vice President -- Global Brand Marketing, Chrysler Group. "Targeted at commercial customers who want to take the performance of their commercial vehicle and business to the next level, the all-new 2007 Dodge Sprinter answers the call and continues Dodge's revolution of the light- and medium-duty commercial vehicle market." More Versatility, Choices and Features Dodge's super-sized Sprinter offers expanded versatility and even more choices and features. Compared to the previous model, the all-new 2007 Dodge Sprinter boasts increases in width (two inches), interior height (11 inches), exterior height (13 inches), cargo area length (19 inches), vehicle length (30 inches), cargo volume (127 cu. ft.), and towing capacity (2,500 lbs.). Sprinter is available in three vehicle lengths (233, 273 and 289 inches) on two new wheelbases of 144 inches or 170 inches, or 170 inches extended with a 15-inch longer rear overhang. It also boasts three interior roof height options: standard (65 inches), high (76 inches) and new mega (84 inches) - the most among full-size vans. Powered by a choice of two all-new premium engines, a 3.0-liter V-6 diesel engine with 154 horsepower or 3.5-liter V-6 gas engine with 254 horsepower, three different Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) configurations are offered including a new higher maximum GVWR up to 11,030 lbs. for cargo vans and chassis cabs. With increased best-in-class interior height (up to 84 inches), both cargo and passenger high-roof models provide up to 7-feet interior work space. New standard features include power windows and locks, integrated wide- angle mirrors, halogen headlamps, 16-inch wheels, tilt- and height- adjustable steering wheel, CD radio, one-touch triple-flash function turn signals, and all-new ADAPTIVE ESP(R) for improved functionality and safety capability. Going beyond the capability of the traditional electronic stability program, ADAPTIVE ESP takes into account the way the Sprinter is loaded. Sensors ascertain the vehicle mass, which ultimately determines the vehicle's center of gravity. Most Best-In-Class Advantages The all-new 2007 Dodge Sprinter has the most class-leading attributes including best-in-class cargo capacity (up to 600 cubic feet), highest maximum payload (5,770 lbs.), lowest side step-in height (19.9 inches), greatest interior roof height (up to 7 feet) and widest rear-door opening (270 degrees). Its new pallet-friendly cargo sliding door offers a best-in-class loading width of 51 inches. As the class leader in versatility and operating performance, the 2007 Dodge Sprinter has oil change intervals of 10,000 miles which contribute to low maintenance costs. More than 25 Safety and Security Features Set New Benchmark in Commercial Van Segment Delivering more than 25 advanced safety and security features -- the highest level of advance safety and security technology available in the full- size van segment, the all-new 2007 Dodge Sprinter continues to offer superior occupant protection. New for 2007 is an all-new ADAPTIVE ESP(R) system which takes electronic stability programs to the next level. This standard safety system takes into account the vehicle payload which further reduces the risk of vehicle skidding and loss of control. All 2007 Dodge Sprinter cargo vans utilize a unique CARGO PROTECTION(R) load-securing and lashing rail system allowing straps to be attached at multiple locations for enhanced cargo and passenger protection. Showcasing a unibody construction that reduces curb weight and maximizes payload, other standard safety features include power steering and brakes, three-point lap/shoulder belts (height adjustable for driver and front passenger), headrests for all seats, and an available ParkSense(R) System which uses ultrasonic sensors in front and rear bumper |
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Replying to: kenbaker (Feb 14, 2007 8:57 am) 
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