NHTSA Complaint #10430558 — 2006 DODGE SPRINTER 3500

THIS 2006 WINNEBAGO NAVION (ON A SPRINTER 3500 CHASSIS) HAS SUFFERED TWO FAILURES OF THE TURBOCHARGER RESONATOR. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS THERE IS AN IMMEDIATE AND ALMOST TOTAL LOSS OF POWER AND THE LOSS OF THE ABILITY TO CLIMB HILLS AS THE VEHICLE GOES INTO "LIMP HOME MODE" WITH A TOP SPEED OF 35 MPG ON LEVEL GROUND. THE VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO KEEP UP WITH OR STAY AHEAD OF, OR GET OUT OF THE WAY OF, OTHER TRAFFIC. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS INITIALLY NOT CORRECTLY DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER, AND AFTER TWO ADDITIONAL INCIDENTS THE RESONATOR WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE RESONATOR HAS TOTALLY FAILED A SECOND TIME AND THE DEALER HAS REFUSED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A WELL KNOWN DEFECT WITH THE SPRINTER THAT IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED BY DEALERS OR THE MANUFACTURER. THIS IS THE MOST UNRELIABLE AND UNSAFE VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED OR DRIVEN. I HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE, UNABLE TO GET TO A TURNOUT, AND STILL PARTIALLY BLOCKING AN ACTIVE LANE OF HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED AND PROPERLY REPAIRED, OR THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BUY THEM BACK IF THEY ARE NOT REPAIRABLE. *TR