I PURCHASED AN ITASCA NAVION WHICH IS BUILT ON A 2006 DODGE SPRINTER 3500 CHASSIS. THE MERCEDES ENGINE, I FOUND OUT AFTER OURS FAILED, HAS A HISTORY OF PROBLEMS WITH THE TURBO RESONATOR OPENING UP, RESULTING IN THE ENGINE GOING INTO A "LIMP HOME MODE" WHERE THE VEHICLE OPERATES AT 200 RPM OR LESS. I WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUNG …
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I PURCHASED AN ITASCA NAVION WHICH IS BUILT ON A 2006 DODGE SPRINTER 3500 CHASSIS. THE MERCEDES ENGINE, I FOUND OUT AFTER OURS FAILED, HAS A HISTORY OF PROBLEMS WITH THE TURBO RESONATOR OPENING UP, RESULTING IN THE ENGINE GOING INTO A "LIMP HOME MODE" WHERE THE VEHICLE OPERATES AT 200 RPM OR LESS. I WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUNG ON THE 101 HIGHWAY SOUTH OF SANTA BARBARA WHICH IS A HILLY 2 LANE HIGHWAY. DUE TO THE RPM RESTRICTION ON THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE WOULD DRAMATICALLY LOSE POWER AND SPEED ON THE SLIGHTEST INCLINE. IT WAS ON ONE SUCH INCLINE THAT I FOUND MYSELF WITH A LARGE 18 WHEELER BEARING DOWN ON ME IN THE #2 LANE. DUE TO THE SMALL INCLINE WE HAD JUST ENCOUNTERED, MY SPEED DROPPED TO BELOW 20 MPH. THERE WAS HEAVY TRAFFIC IN THE #1 LANE, SO NEITHER THE 18 WHEELER NOR I COULD JUMP INTO THE #1 LANE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. RATHER THAN FORCING THE 18 WHEELER TO LOCK UP TO SLOW DOWN, I DOVE INTO A VERY NARROW SHOULDER WITH WHAT APPEARED TO BE A STEEP DROPOFF. HAD THE SHOULD NOT BEEN WIDE ENOUGH, I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE TO AVOID INJURY OR DEATH ON THIS INCIDENT. GREATLY SHAKEN, I WAS FORCED TO TAKE SIDE STREETS ALL THE WAY BACK TO MY HOME IN ALTADENA, CA. I HAD MY VEHICLE TAKEN TO A DODGE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR, WHERE THE MECHANIC KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITHOUT LOOKING AT IT. THE PART WAS REPLACED WITH THE SAME NON-UPGRADED PART. FROM THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE SINCE THIS INCIDENT, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN WELL KNOWN FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, AND I HAVE HEARD OF FAILURES ON THE REPLACEMENT UNITS AS WELL.
NHTSA ODI #10165601
7,400 miles · Jul 26, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
PART FAILED CAUSING INABILITY TO OPERATE AT SAFE SPEEDS ON HIGHWAY. PART IS CALLED "TURBO RESONATOR" AND HAS A REPUTATION AS A WEAK PART. SEVERAL OWNERS OF SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE HAVE HAD FAILURE. I SAVED THE DEFECTIVE PART. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10163549
16,000 miles · Jul 5, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
SECOND TURBO FAILURE LEADING TO LONG DRIVE IN LIMP HOME MODE. GPS MOVING AVERAGE SPEED OF 47 MPH. LOW SPEED OF 28 MPH. DISTANCE TO GET HOME THIS TIME 600+ MILES TOOK DEALER 15 DAYS TO REPAIR. FIRST REPAIR TOOK 10 DAYS. *JB
DAIMLER BUSES IS RECALLING 465 MY 2004-2008 SPRINTER 2500 AND 3500 BUSES EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A LIFT OCCUPANT CAN BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT BEGIN TO STOW UNINTENTIONALLY.
Remedy: DAIMLER BUSES IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS (PLEASE SEE 07E097). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-800-322-2884 OR DAIMLER BUSES AT 1-905-403-7807.
DAIMLER BUSES OF NORTH CAROLINA (DBNC) IS RECALLING 334 MY 2005-2006 SPRINTER 2500 AND MY 2003, 2005-2007 SPRINTER 3500 BUSES EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATION IN MOTOR VEHICLES." THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER IN A CERTAIN SPOT WITHIN THE DEFINED THRESHOLD AREA.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.
Remedy: DBNC IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E095). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR DBNC AT 1-905-403-7807.
CERTAIN BUSES EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE INTERLOCK SWITCH SYSTEM IN THE LIFT MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A PASSENGER (EITHER WHEELCHAIR OR STANDEE) ON THE RICON WHEELCHAIR PLATFORM LIFT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT THIS CONDITION OCCURS DURING PASSENGER OPERATIONS, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE FOR THE WHEELCHAIR TO TIP BACKWARDS ONTO THE PLATFORM WHEN THE PLATFORM WAS LOWERED. THIS COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE WHEELCHAIR'S OCCUPANT. ALSO, ANYONE STANDING ON THE PLATFORM COULD LOSE HIS OR HER BALANCE AND FALL, RESULTING IN INJURY.
Remedy: DAIMLERCHRYSLER IS WORKING WITH RICON TO REPAIR THESE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS (PLEASE SEE 06E101). OWNERS CAN CONTACT RICON AT 800-322-2884 OR DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-882-8054.
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS BUILT ON DODGE AND FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS, THE BRAKE FLUID USED WAS CONTAMINATED WITH COOLANT. DUE TO THE HIGH WATER CONTENT THE BOILING POINT OF THE SUBJECT BRAKE FLUID IS REDUCED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS MAY AFFECT THE PROPER FUNCTION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM DURING HARD BRAKING SITUATIONS AND MAY LEAD TO AN INCREASING BRAKE DISTANCE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL FLUSH AND REPLACE THE BRAKE FLUID FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 17, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-704-655-1000.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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