2001 Freightliner Columbia

Recalls

1 recall names the 2001 Freightliner Columbia. Newest first.

• Suspension › Front › Hub

  Mar 21, 2003NHTSA 03V1120005,716 vehicles

  On certain trucks equipped with truck hub units manufactured by skf exclusively for use on arvinmeritor's ff98x series non-drive steer axles, the hub unit bearings can wear prematurely.

  Risk and remedy

  Risk

  Seizure of the bearings can cause wheel separation or wheel end fire.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace both front hubs. owner notification IS expected to begin on or before september 20, 2003. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.

  Full recall details →

Owner complaints

What owners report most

1. Service brakes, air1
2. Steering1
3. Suspension1
4. Trailer hitches1

Latest complaints

• Mar 7, 2011INCrash
  Trailer hitches

  2001 freightliner columbia class, unit 1 trailer became disconnected. unit 1 trailer struck the power unit while attempting to stop. unit 1 power unit and trailer came to rest in the right lane. *Bf updated 03/21/11 *bf (ohio traffic crash report # 10-0047-90) *jb

• Jun 17, 2002MOCrash2 injuries
  Steering › Gear box (other than rack and pinion)
  We have experienced 5 similar steering gear box failures on our 2001 freightliner columbia trucks. In each failure the truck would not turn. No accidents occurred in failures #2 - #5.ON 12/20/01 our 2ND failure, [xxx] at 170780 miles, unit 3657.on 04/01/02 our 3RD failure, [xxx] at 238661 miles…

  We have experienced 5 similar steering gear box failures on our 2001 freightliner columbia trucks. In each failure the truck would not turn. No accidents occurred in failures #2 - #5.ON 12/20/01 our 2ND failure, [xxx] at 170780 miles, unit 3657.on 04/01/02 our 3RD failure, [xxx] at 238661 miles, unit 3725. On 6-11-02 our 4TH & 5TH failures, [xxx] at 195001 miles, unit 3747 and #5 was [xxx] at 305185 miles unit 3634.*ak information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6). *tr

• Nov 28, 2000VA
  Service brakes, air › Antilock · Suspension › Rear › Springs › Leaf spring assembly › Hanger/bracket

  Front spring hanger loose on frame axle #1, causing axle to shift. nlm

Defect investigations

NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.

• Front brake air hose leaks

  PE03005Opened Feb 7, 2003Closed Aug 22, 2003
  Certain 1998-2001 freightliner century and columbia vehicles exhibit a higher rate of front brake air hose leaks than earlier vintage freightliner vehicles.the leaks have been frequently discovered at fmcsa roadside inspections since these inspections are conducted with the brakes applied (pressurizing the air hose)…

  Certain 1998-2001 freightliner century and columbia vehicles exhibit a higher rate of front brake air hose leaks than earlier vintage freightliner vehicles.the leaks have been frequently discovered at fmcsa roadside inspections since these inspections are conducted with the brakes applied (pressurizing the air hose) whereas driver pre-trip inspections may not always be performed with the brakes applied. After a thorough technical review of this matter,odi has concuded that while the subject vehicles exhibit a higher rate of front brake air hose leaks than earlier vintage and peer vehicles, these leaks appear to be minor. Freightliner has extended the warranty for this component to 5 years, 500,000 miles and will assist in alerting those vehicle owners whose vehicles are most susceptible to front brake air hose leakage by issuing a service bulletin alerting those owners to the potential for front brake air hose leakage to occur. See attached report for full technical details.

• Integral hub and bearing assembly

  PE02088Opened Nov 22, 2002Closed May 1, 2003Recall 03V112000
  Freightliner submitted a defect report on march 21, 2003 in which they identified approximately 5000 trucks as possibly beingaffected by this problem.arvinmeritor (front axle mfr) submitted a defect report onapril 16, 2003, which identifies 6098 freightliner trucks asbeing affected by this recall and 1191 axles sold…

  Freightliner submitted a defect report on march 21, 2003 in which they identified approximately 5000 trucks as possibly beingaffected by this problem.arvinmeritor (front axle mfr) submitted a defect report onapril 16, 2003, which identifies 6098 freightliner trucks asbeing affected by this recall and 1191 axles sold to freightliner in the aftermarket. Odi notes that there are twointegral hub and bearing assemblies per front axle.freightliner identified vehicles includingfreightliner,sterling, and western star brand name as beingaffected by this recall.see attached summary report for additional details.

Service bulletins

Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.

• 10151510Operating Hours for the Customer Assistance Center
• 10141813ssb2623 Localizacin de averas de la palanca SmartShift de Freightliner
• 10141700sb2061 Replacement Shunt Tube, EPA07 Caterpillar C13 and C15 Engines
• 10141699sb2059 Replacing Push-to-Connect Air Line Fittings with Brass Compression Fittings
• 10141698sb2058 Early EPA07 QLD Radiator Replacement
• 10141697sb2057 New Surge Tank Design
• 10141696sb2056 Transmission Oil Line Removal and Installation
• 10141692sb2051 Radiator Surge Tank Vent Line Plumbing
• 10049539Freightliner: brake s-cam tube lubrication interval change. To ensure optimum service life and trouble-free operation, the recommended maintenance interval for lubricating meritor s-cam brake tubes on century class, columbia, cascadia and coronado over-the-road vehicles IS changed from M2 to the M1 maintenance interval.
• 10031824Freightliner truck: inner tie rod inspection and repair, rack and pinion gear. Increased length of the driver side inner tie rod (if the inner tie rod unthreads from the rack) may cause abnormal steer tire wear due to high toe in or an inability to maintain correct toe in adjustment. No model years listed.
• 10029425Freightliner: a new bulb socket IS available for turn/park lights that IS metalized to withstand high heat without out gassing. Model years unknown. Models columbia, business class M2 and cascadia. Updated on 6/14/2011.
• 629528Subject regarding amend antifreeze concentration to correct freeze point.
• 629047Field service campaign sf238a for freightliner airliner front suspension rear spring mount fasteners torque.

Every Freightliner Columbia model year

Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.