Dodge Sprinter

The Dodge Sprinter is a tall delivery van built by DaimlerChrysler. It is mechanically identical to the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter sold in Europe, and the Freightliner Sprinter sold primarily to commercial applications.

DaimlerChrysler introduced a Dodge-branded version of the Sprinter in 2004 to replace the aging Dodge Ram Van. While the Sprinter is offered to individuals as a passenger vehicle, it is primarily a business model. The Dodge Sprinter sold 19,578 units in the United States in 2005, while Freightliner sold approximately 2,500 units. While giving it just 3.5% of the full-size van market, the van has gained immense popularity in the United States and Dodge and Freightliner have had difficulty keeping up with demand.

Dodge Sprinter owners have been discussing a possible flaw in the “Turbo Resonator”. Apparently they are plastic and the seal at a seam fails, causing boost pressure to be lost and making the computer detect a catastrophic turbo failure. Symptoms are a “Limp Home Mode” such as sudden decrease from highway speeds to about 35 mph. Because it is a seam leak it is not visually obvious when the engine is off, yet it still causes the computer to detect a failure during operation. Some claim that Chrysler-Daimler knows about this problem, but so far there has not been any service bulletin to their dealers on this issue.

See Wikicars' comprehensive Dodge Sprinter Review.

Styles and Major Options
The Sprinter is available as three distinct models, passenger van, cargo van and as an unfinished chassis and cab. The van models come in three wheelbases, two roof heights and with a myriad of optional features.

Pricing
Today's actual prices for the Dodge Sprinter Passenger Van, Cargo Van and Chassis/Cab can be found at Yahoo! Autos.

Gas Mileage
Fuel economy data is unavailable due to the light truck classification of this vehicle.

Safety
Driver and front passenger airbags are standard, and side impact airbags for front seat passengers are optional. Four-wheel ABS, Traction Control, Electronic Stability Control, and a tire pressure monitor are also standard. The NHTSA has not rated the Dodge Sprinter in any of its collision tests.

Colors
 

Main Competitors

 * Ford E-Series
 * GMC Savana
 * Chevrolet Express

Future
On the US market, the current Sprinter will be replaced in early 2007. This model will be assembled for the United States at a plant in Ladson, South Carolina that is currently utilized by American LaFrance, a former business unit of Freightliner LLC. The 2007 version is a complete redesign from the prior model. In 2007, the current 2.7 liter inline 5 cyliner turbodiesel will be replaced in the US with a choice of V6 turbodiesel or V6 gasoline engine. DaimlerChrysler plans to invest $35 million (USD) to prepare the plant for the assembly of Sprinter vans from kits imported from Europe.

Sprinter cargo vans are a popular choice of cargo van expediters in the United States. Such expediters are similar to truck drivers except they take smaller loads and will wait in a town indefinitely after unloading until dispatchers find another customer nearby to transport goods. The advent of the Sprinter van with its cargo space of 13 1/2 feet has allowed van expediters to take three 48" X 48" skids or pallets where previously they were confined to two. A Sprinter driver is capable of hauling approximately 3000 lb. of cargo. The pool of Sprinter drivers gives more choice, efficiency and flexibility to trucking companies and their customers.

Other links

 * Official International website of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
 * Official Dodge Sprinter website
 * Official Freightliner Sprinter website
 * AutoGuideWiki.com
 * Discussion of Power-Loss Issues