Gear shifter was able to be moved from park to neutral without the keys in the ignition or the "bypass" switch being pressed. A 5 year old was able to move the shifter into neutral without key in the ignition or pressing the bypass button which allowed the vehicle to roll down a hill.
2006 Dodge Sprinter powertrain problems
severe 6 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 6 powertrain complaints filed for the 2006 Dodge Sprinter, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge sprinter 2500. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle began to decelerate. The vehicle was maneuvered to the shoulder and shut off. Upon restart, the vehicle operated as normal. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 48,500.
On more than 1 occasion, my vehicle died out while traveling on expressways. In all instances, the engine stopped working. Fortunately nobody was injured. The vehicle needs an engine replacement again and has less than 69,000 miles on it. *tr
Sudden slow down due to lost of power on winnebage view/Dodge sprinter. This has happened four times resulting in hazard to other drivers from sudden reduction in speed with no brake lights. Three repairs made by dealers for same problem (turbin resonator) in 24,000 miles. The vehicle will continue to run but barely. The first incident was at 7,000 miles. The last at 24,000 miles. *tr
Had powertrain trouble with your 2006 Dodge Sprinter?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2006 Dodge Sprinter?
It's a meaningful issue. 6 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 6 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 51,786 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Dodge/Sprinter.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.