Recall 17V478 covers 43,689 2007-2009 Dodge Sprinter 2500 and Sprinter 3500 vehicles for passenger air bag inflators. Free repair at any franchised Dodge dealer.
Dodge is recalling 43,689 2007-2009 Sprinter 2500 and Sprinter 3500 vans because the passenger frontal air bag inflator can rupture during a crash deployment. Metal fragments can strike occupants and cause serious injury or death, and Dodge dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The passenger frontal air bag inflator in the 2007-2009 Dodge Sprinter 2500 and Sprinter 3500 is the metal canister inside the passenger air bag module. In a crash that calls for the passenger air bag, the inflator burns propellant to fill the air bag quickly so it can help cushion the passenger.
On affected vans, the propellant inside certain Takata inflators degrades after years of exposure to high humidity, high heat, and repeated temperature changes. When degraded propellant burns, combustion becomes too aggressive and pressure inside the inflator rises beyond its design limit. That pressure can rupture the inflator body during air bag deployment.
There is no warning sign before failure. The air bag light, normal driving feel, and passenger seat area do not tell you whether the inflator has degraded.
Who's affected?
The scope spans Sprinter 2500 and Sprinter 3500 vans across the 2007, 2008, and 2009 model years.
| 2008 Dodge Sprinter 2500 | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2008 Dodge Sprinter 3500 | front air bag |
| 2007 Dodge Sprinter 3500 | front air bag |
| 2009 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | front air bag |
| 2007 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | front air bag |
| 2008 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | front air bag |
| 2007 Dodge Sprinter 2500 | front air bag |
| 2009 Dodge Sprinter 3500 | front air bag |
| 2007 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | front air bag |
| 2009 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | front air bag |
| 2008 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | front air bag |
| 2009 Dodge Sprinter 2500 | front air bag |
| Units affected | 43,689 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific van is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the passenger frontal air bag inflator ruptures, metal fragments can strike vehicle occupants and cause serious injury or death. The recall does not identify a warning sign before rupture, so schedule the air bag replacement soon and use caution until it is complete. Repair is free at any franchised Dodge dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2007-2009 Dodge Sprinter 2500 or Sprinter 3500 is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Dodge dealer to schedule the free passenger frontal air bag replacement that removes the rupture-prone inflator.
- Bring the recall notice if Dodge mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V478 when you call.
- Ask the dealer whether the front passenger seat should stay empty until the air bag repair is complete.
- Call Dodge customer service at 1-877-762-8267 if the dealer cannot confirm the repair path.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Dodge technician replaces the passenger side frontal air bag covered by recall 17V478. Parts and labor are free under the recall. This repair replaces the air bag module component tied to the inflator rupture risk, so the service desk should confirm the open campaign by VIN before work begins. If you've already paid out of pocket for a related passenger frontal air bag repair, Dodge's standard reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring your repair paperwork to the service desk or contact Dodge customer service for the claim path.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 28, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 29, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
| December 6, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| December 6, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 12, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V478?
Recall 17V478 covers 43,689 2007-2009 Dodge Sprinter 2500 and Sprinter 3500 vans with passenger frontal air bag inflators that can rupture during deployment after long-term humidity and temperature exposure. Metal fragments can strike occupants, causing serious injury or death. Dodge dealers will replace the passenger-side frontal air bag for free.
What should I do if my 2007-2009 Dodge Sprinter 2500 or Sprinter 3500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific van is included in recall 17V478. If it is, contact a franchised Dodge dealer and schedule the passenger-side frontal air bag replacement. Reference recall number 17V478 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Dodge dealers will replace the passenger-side frontal air bag free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for vehicles included in recall 17V478.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is air bag inflator rupture during a crash that deploys the passenger frontal air bag. If the inflator ruptures, metal fragments can strike people inside the van and cause serious injury or death. The repair replaces the affected passenger-side frontal air bag for free.
What if I bought my Sprinter used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Sprinter is included, then call a franchised Dodge dealer with recall number 17V478 to schedule the free air bag repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V478000 |
|---|---|
| Dodge customer service | 1-877-762-8267 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V478 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V478000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →