2003 Freightliner Columbia
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Freightliner › Columbia › 2003
These records cover every 2003 Freightliner Columbia. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
5 recalls name the 2003 Freightliner Columbia. Newest first.
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2002-2017 Freightliner Cascadia, Century Class, Columbia and Coronado trucks and Western Star 4700, 4900, 5700, 5900 and 6900 trucks. These vehicles are equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers that may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from…
Risk and remedy
Risk
In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
DTNA will notify owners, and instruct them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on April 11, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712, or contact Kidde customer service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-759.
Certain freightliner school bus chassis, heavy trucks, and thomas built school buses manufactured between july 2002 and july 3, 2007, equipped with bendix SR-7 spring brake control valves. the parker scv brass 90 degree single check valves (scv) which attach to the supply port of a bendix SR-7 spring brake modulating valve can break apart. pieces of the…
Risk and remedy
Risk
These conditions could either result in leakage and cause a delay in the application of the spring brake without warning or possibly lead to unintended vehicle rollaway or brake drag which could result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or death.
Remedy
Freightliner will notify owners and repair the vehicles free of charge. the recall began on january 11, 2008 to freightliner, sterling, and freightliner custom chassis owners; to thomas built bus owners on february 1, 2008. owners can contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.
On certain trucks equipped with seats built by gra-mag, the seat pivot bolts can loosen and possibly fracture or dislodge, causing the seat back to fail to provide full support to the driver's back.
Risk and remedy
Risk
A possible vehicle crash could occur should the seat fall backwards during use.
Remedy
Dealers will repair these vehicles. the recall began on april 20, 2005. owners may contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.
On certain trucks equipped with manual transmission, the tapered joint that attaches the shifter to the transmission may become loose making it difficult to put the transmission into gear.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If shift lever detachment occurs, tha ability ro accelerate ot maintain speed will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will re-secure the shift lever to the transmission using threadlock and re-torquing the fastening bolt. owner notification began on may 21, 2004. owners should contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.
On certain trucks equipped with air brakes, the plastic push-to-connect air line fitting cartridge could be improperly welded into the nylon junction block housing allowing an air line to become disconnected.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This could lead to reduced brake control, loss of service brake control, or the emergency brakes automatically applying, possibly resulting in a crash without prior warning.
Remedy
Dealers will install a new cab air manifold. owner notification IS expected to begin on january 21, 2004. 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 800-547-0712.
Owner complaints
10 complaints3 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Tires
2005 freightliner conventional, unit 1 and 2 was traveling westbound on the ohio turnpike, when unit 1 right side trailer tire blew causing tire debris to strike unit 2. *Bf (ohio traffic crash report# 10-0163-89)*jb
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
Exhaust fumes coming into cab, causing dizziness, burning eyes, and stuffy and burning sensation in nose and on skin. I have had all exhaust manifolds and gaskets replaced and I still have the problem. I finally went to the internet to see if there was something I could do to fix the problem and…
Exhaust fumes coming into cab, causing dizziness, burning eyes, and stuffy and burning sensation in nose and on skin. I have had all exhaust manifolds and gaskets replaced and I still have the problem. I finally went to the internet to see if there was something I could do to fix the problem and found out that other drivers are complaining about this same issue. The truck that I own and drive IS a freightliner columbia with series 60 detroit engine. I am going to take a carbon monoxide detector along on my next trip to see if there IS a problem. *tr
- Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and attachments · Structure › Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Support device/strut
There are no hand holds on the driver's side exterior or interior to aid in entering or exiting the truck. I was injured because of this failure to provide handholds when I slipped of the top step while attempting to exit the vehicle. I have under gone surgery on my left knee from which I have not…
There are no hand holds on the driver's side exterior or interior to aid in entering or exiting the truck. I was injured because of this failure to provide handholds when I slipped of the top step while attempting to exit the vehicle. I have under gone surgery on my left knee from which I have not recovered, and will in the near future undergo surgery on my right elbow as a result of this failure to provide a safe way to enter or exit the truck. There are no fmcsa regulations in regards to this. *tr
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control
While driving can smell exhaust fumes fumes coming into cab through air vents,wife getting ill an burning eyes, hard to breath,headaches,tired all the time, also other driver getting ill, only been in this freightliner 2 months, with detroit. after 10 to 12 hrs of sleeping, it only takes about 4…
While driving can smell exhaust fumes fumes coming into cab through air vents,wife getting ill an burning eyes, hard to breath,headaches,tired all the time, also other driver getting ill, only been in this freightliner 2 months, with detroit. after 10 to 12 hrs of sleeping, it only takes about 4 hrs behind the wheel start getting tired again, somethings not right, this isn't safe, how come drivers aren't being told about this. *nm
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
Dt: fumes coming inside equipment through air vents of truck. The truck was taken to the dealer 3-4 different times and the problem was never fixed. These fumes caused headaches, nausea,burning eyes, and high blood pressure. Now, diagnosed with copd. have talked to other drivers and same problems have occurred.*ak the vehicle was parked because the consumer felt it was unsafe to drive. *nm
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
While driving the truck, the consumer would smell a rotten egg odor coming from the ventilation system. The owner has made contact with the dealership on five separate occasions and the problem still occurs. Please provide any additional information. *ph
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control
Fumes coming into cab, 2003,freightliner,columbia,related egr valve leaking ents from dash. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Consumer states that while driving at any speed and with no warning vehicle will shut off, causing consumer to pull over. it will be hard to get the vehicle back started.dealer notified.*ak
- Exterior lighting › Fog lights · Exterior lighting › Headlights
We recently purchased a group of 40 freightliner tractors in october 2002. tractors were built with an H7 low beam headlamp assembly. we have since had multiple failures of this style headlamp and have had several occasions when both headlamps burned out at the same time while driver was…
We recently purchased a group of 40 freightliner tractors in october 2002. tractors were built with an H7 low beam headlamp assembly. we have since had multiple failures of this style headlamp and have had several occasions when both headlamps burned out at the same time while driver was operationg vehicle in darkness. all data on this lamp that I can find, shows a service life in the 200 hour range. most standard headlamps are rated for 1000+ hours. most USA applications for this H7 bulb are for the fog lamp position, not low beam headlight. trucks built after this group have been fitted with a different 9007 headlamp assembly which works just fine. freightliner refuses to discuss the safety aspects of this design. drivers are now very concerned about operating vehicles after dark.*ak
- Power train › Manual transmission
The vehicle lost power, and locked in the gear it was in. *Jb
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Daimler Trucks North America Recalls
On April 23, 2018, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) opened Audit Query (AQ18002) to assess the timeliness and scope of four recalls filed by Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (“DTNA”). NHTSA subsequently expanded AQ18002 to examine the timeliness and scope of three additional DTNA recalls and…
On April 23, 2018, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) opened Audit Query (AQ18002) to assess the timeliness and scope of four recalls filed by Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (“DTNA”). NHTSA subsequently expanded AQ18002 to examine the timeliness and scope of three additional DTNA recalls and compliance with early warning reporting and manufacturer communications reporting requirements. NHTSA and DTNA entered into a Consent Order on December 29, 2020, to resolve NHTSA’s assertions that certain recalls within the scope of AQ18002 were untimely, DTNA failed to timely submit certain manufacturer communications to NHTSA, and DTNA failed to submit field reports to NHTSA as required. As part of the Consent Order, DTNA agreed to a total civil penalty of thirty million dollars ($30,000,000), of which ten million dollars ($10,000,000) was paid on January 12, 2021. Also, of that total civil penalty, DTNA agreed to spend five million dollars ($5,000,000) on the specific performance obligations to develop advanced data analytics capabilities to enhance its ability to detect and study emerging safety-related defect trends on its vehicles (“Safety Data Analytics infrastructure”) and an advanced data analytics and reporting platform that integrates data on emerging safety-related defect trends on its vehicles and recall lessons learned (“Safety Communications Platform”). The Consent Order also held fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) of the civil penalty in abeyance pending DTNA’s satisfactory completion of the requirements of the Consent Order, and its compliance with the Safety Act, and regulations thereunder. NHTSA and DTNA agreed to a two-year term for the Consent Order—with an option for NHTSA to extend the Consent Order for an additional year, if warranted. In the Consent Order, DTNA agreed to numerous performance obligations, including monthly meetings with NHTSA to discuss potential safety issues, recent manufacturer communications, and recall decision-making, among other things; quarterly meetings with NHTSA to discuss DTNA’s progress on the performance obligations under the Consent Order, including the Safety Data Analytics infrastructure and Safety Communications Platform, and any issues related to compliance with the Consent Order, Safety Act, or regulations; development of written procedures and employee training materials to help DTNA comply with its legal obligations to timely identify and report safety defects and noncompliances, submit complete and accurate recall filings, and timely submit manufacturer communications and field reports to NHTSA; and identifying and reporting previously unreported manufacturer communications and field reports. Also, via the Consent Order, DTNA acknowledged that the failure or inability to identify a specific root cause, develop an adequate remedy or repair, or confirm the affected population of vehicles are not bases for delaying filing a recall with NHTSA. On December 22, 2022, NHTSA extended the Consent Order for a term of one year due to concerns about DTNA’s compliance with its recall-related obligations. Specifically, NHTSA expressed concerns about the completeness of DTNA’s recall reports and issues identified with owner notification letters during the term of the Consent Order, as well as the length of time that DTNA took to consider a straightforward noncompliance issue before filing a recall and DTNA’s interactions with NHTSA during the term of the Consent Order. NHTSA addressed these concerns with DTNA during the third year of the Consent Order. The extended term of the Consent Order expired on December 28, 2023. Based on the Consent Order, this investigation, AQ18002, is closed. Closure of this AQ has no bearing on the terms of the Consent Order or DTNA’s ongoing legal obligations, and it does not represent a determination by NHTSA as to DTNA’s performance under the Consent Order.
- Diesel exhaust gas intrusion
The preliminary evaluation was opened based on 3 complaints from drivers of 2003 model year (my) freightliner columbia truck tractors and on information provided by freightliner indicating a known problem of exhaust leaks in certain detroit diesel series-60 engines equipped with a ?cooled egr? Emissions control…
The preliminary evaluation was opened based on 3 complaints from drivers of 2003 model year (my) freightliner columbia truck tractors and on information provided by freightliner indicating a known problem of exhaust leaks in certain detroit diesel series-60 engines equipped with a ?cooled egr? Emissions control system.during the investigation, odi requested related information on all 2000 my through the current 2005 my freightliner truck tractors for comparison purposes.odi?s initial concern stemmed from the affects of possible carbon monoxide poisoning and whether or not this problem may constitute a safety risk.the ?injury incidents? Included in the failure report summary are a count of subject vehicles in which drivers reported feeling ill as a result of some kind of engine compartment fumes entering the cab of their vehicles, and the ?injuries? Are the number of such instances experienced by the drivers of these vehicles.
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.
- 10195659SS 1032974 High Oil Pressure on 2017 DTNA Vehicles Instrument Cluster Display
- 10195478SS 1033638 - Power Window Express Down Module Discontinued
- 10191849Tech Talk discussion on Prototype or pre production DPF Penske wanted to share.
- 10187830Revised Technical Service Letter for Series 60 and Series 50 Camshaft Timing Specifications. Camshaft timing, valve lash, injector height, and Jake Brake lash are all very important specifications that must be followed closely in order to optimize the performance and service life of any Detroit Diesel engine.
- 10184785Revised Freightliner Service Bulletin for Axle Flange Gasket Replaced with O-Ring. Revision removed steps instructing removal and installation of wheels. Daimler Trucks North America has released a new axle shaft to hub rubber O-ring (part number 11-30728-000) as a replacement for the paper gasket (part number 11-14418-000). The new O-ring will provide better sealing and is reusable. It is quicker and easier to use compared to the paper gasket, because using a paper gasket requires cleaning the hub when the axle shaft is removed.
- 10181759Updated Freightliner Service Bulletin for Powernet Troubleshooting Guide - Batteries, Path, Alternator, and Starter. This bulletin replaces the version dated 5/31/2017. Information is added about the BCT-460DTNA PowerNet Assessment Tool. When troubleshooting Powernet issues, use the BCT-460DTNA PowerNet Assessment Tool. As of May 29, 2018, the AutoMeter is the only Daimler-approved tool for troubleshooting vehicle Powernet issues.
- 10181049Freightliner Service Bulletin for Axle Flange Gasket Replaced with O-Ring. Daimler Trucks North America has released a new axle shaft to hub rubber O-ring (part number 11-30728-000) as a replacement for the paper gasket (part number 11-14418-000). The new O-ring will provide better sealing and is reusable. It is quicker and easier to use compared to the paper gasket, because using a paper gasket requires cleaning the hub when the axle shaft is removed.
- 10170603Technical Service Letter for DDC Series 60 engines concerning Series 60 Cylinder Head Resurfacing/Finish. Detroit Diesel does not recommend third party resurfacing of Series 60 cylinder heads (outside of Detroit and Detroit Reman).
- 10163599Warranty Information Letter sent to customers regarding new refrigerator supplier for returning parts.
- 10163511Warranty Information Letter - Expanded guidelines for paint-related claims sent out to Freightliner, Western star, Thomas Built Bus, Export and Direct warranty customers
- 10161128Steering Intermediate Shaft Replacement
- 10160786Service Bulletin- sb54311 ICU Odometer Programming
- 10160773fp00024 Cable-Tie Reference
- 10158072Adjusting Tilt Lock Force on TRW Steering Columns
- 10158051Adjusting Tilt Lock Force on TRW Steering Columns
- 10158020Fuel Level Sending Unit Retrofit
- 10156420Adjusting Tilt Lock Force on TRW Steering Columns
- 10156399Adjusting Tilt Lock Force on TRW Steering Columns
- 10156370Technical Publications Ordering
- 10156368Fuel Level Sending Unit Retrofit
- 10156351Reminder: Paper Service Bulletin Mailings Are Discontinued
- 10154899Important Campaign Information on FL614 Recall
- 10151600Service information Bulletin
- 10151533Service Bulletin: AirLiner Suspension Six-Piece Bolted Service Crossmember
- 10151510Operating Hours for the Customer Assistance Center
- 10142300sb9815 Paint Finish Standards
- 1014228533-28 - Bearing Spacer Replacement, ConMet PreSet Steer Hubs
- 1014228435-30 - Bearing Spacer Replacement, ConMet PreSet Drive Hubs
- 1014227554-277 - Resetting Erroneous Learned Roll Call ECUs on Vehicles with ICU4M
- 1014227254-278 - Powernet Troubleshooting Guide: Batteries, Path, Alternator, and Starter
- 1014227154-274 - Plastic Battery Box Cover Retainer Clip
- 10142073sb54215 ICU4M Missing VORAD Information or Reporting Fault SA 42 SPN FMI 07
- 10141985sb0935 Replacing the Engine Air Filter Element, Donaldson Air Cleaner (03-33648-001-002)
- 10141930sb54290 Guidelines for Repairing or Replacing an Electrical Harness
- 10141768sb98020 Axalta Paint Finish CareB
- 10141760sb54296 Fuel Level Sending Unit RetrofitB
- 10141758sb54251 Condensation and Possible Water Entry Points in Headlamp Assemblies
- 10141755sb54202 Rerouting the DDEC IV Relative-Humidity-Sensor Harness
- 10141753sb54194 Required Maintenance for Freightliner-Branded and Delco Cassette Players
- 10141752sb54148 Radio and Integrated Thin-Film Antenna Troubleshooting, and Field Service UpdatesB
Every Freightliner Columbia model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.