Model year record

2005 Freightliner Century Class recalls & problems

The 2005 Freightliner Century Class has 4 safety recalls and 5 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (4 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints5filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

EquipmentDec 15, 2017

Equipment

Recall 17V81000024,860 vehicles

Problem: 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 discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.

Engine and engine coolingSep 23, 2009

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 09V36600025,362 vehicles

Problem: DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR C15 ENGINE. THE VARIABLE VALVE ACTUATION OIL LINE MAY RUB AGAINST THE P-CLIPS RETAINING THE OIL LINE, CAUSING AN OIL LEAK.
Risk: AN OIL LEAK MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DAIMLER TRUCKS IS WORKING WITH CATERPILLAR TO REMEDY THESE VEHICLES. PLEASE SEE CATERPILLAR'S DEFECT REPORT 09E-020. CATERPILLAR WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 5, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CATERPILLAR TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-447-4986 OR DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.

Fuel system, dieselMar 11, 2008

Fuel system, diesel

Recall 08V11300062,000 vehicles

Problem: DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 62,000 MY 2005-2007 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS, CENTURY CLASS, COLUMBIA, CORONADO, FLD, CLASSIC, STERLING A-LINE, L-LINE, AND WESTERN STAR 4900 TRUCKS. A FRACTURED FUEL LINE COULD LEAK DIESEL FUEL.
Risk: IF A LEAK CONTINUES UNDETECTED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, FUEL MAY IGNITE AT A HOT ENGINE SURFACE AND/OR FUEL MAY BE SPILLED ON THE ROAD SURFACE.
Fix: HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINES AND TRANSFER TUBES WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED FREE OF CHARGED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 9, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.

Electrical systemJun 5, 2006

Electrical system

Recall 06V19000061,000 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE PROTECTIVE COVER FOR THE CAB POWER DISTRIBUTION MODEL (PDM) MAY BE MISSING OR IMPROPERLY INSTALLED.
Risk: IF THE PROTECTIVE COVER IS MISSING OR NOT POSITIONED CORRECTLY, ANY WATER INTRUSION FROM AN OPEN WINDOW OR WINDSHIELD LEAK MAY SEEP THROUGH THE UPPER DASH COVER SEAM AND DRIP ONTO THE PDM. WATER ON THE PDM CIRCUITS MAY CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT RESULTING IN A FIRE THAT COULD CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingExhaust system › Emission control; Exhaust system	4	0	0	1	—
Electrical system12v/24v/48v battery › Cables	1	0	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery › CablesFire
THE AIR FORCE LOST A SEMI TRUCK-TRACTOR IN A VEHICLE FIRE ON 6/30/2006. THE VEHICLE, A 2005 FREIGHTLINER CENTURY CLASS TRACTOR, WAS LEASED FROM GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION. A SEMI-TRAILER OWNED BY THE AIR FORCE WAS ALSO DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE DEPARTED TRAVIS AFB, CA AROUND 1115L ON 6/30/2006. AFTER THE OPERATOR SMELLED AN ELECTRICAL BURNING ODOR. AS HE PULLED OFF ONTO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. OPENING THE HOOD, HE SAW FIRE IN THE AIR CLEANER. HE RETRIEVED THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES BUT THE FIRE REGAINED INTENSITY AND SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE HIGHWAY PATROL/FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED ON SCENE AT 1156L AND 1204L RESPECTIVELY. SAFETY INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE…
Jun 30, 2006
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system1 injury
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A FOUL ODOR FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. AFTERWARDS, THE CONTACT BECAME PHYSICALLY ILL DUE TO THE EXHAUST FUMES. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALTHOUGH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS REPLACED, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.
Nov 21, 2006 · 304,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
EXHAUST FUMES IN THE CAB. GETTING SICK FOR ABOUT A MONTH. SINUS INFECTION AND OTHER SYMPTOMS. NO CO TEST PERFORMED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIR 2 TIMES WITH NO SUCCESS. THE METER IS READING OVER 50 PPM TO 100 PPM IF THE FRESH AIR INTAKE IS CLEAR. CURRENTLY THE INTAKE IS PLUGGED WITH PLASTIC BAGS TO PREVENT THE CO FROM ENTERING THE CAB. WITH THE BAGS IN PLACE THE READING IS 10 PPM. HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 2.5 YEARS. THE PROBLEM SEEMD TO START AROUND 200,000 MILES. I WAS TIRED ALL THE TIME.
Nov 15, 2006
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control
NOV,2 OF 2006, TOOK THE TRUCK INTO FREIGHTLINER IN REDDING,CA. COMPLAINED OF EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING THE CAB AGAIN, THEY SAID THAT THEY FIXED IT, ONCE AGAIN FUMES COMMING IN AFTER I LEFT THERE SHOP. BECAME ILL AN STAYED AT HOME, LUNG PROBLEMS, HEADAKES, BURNING EYES. WENT TO DOCTORS. HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO COMPANY ATTENTION, THEY IGNORED ME. NOW HAVE TO TAKE TRUCK INTO SHOP AGAIN THIS WILL 3 TIMES. I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER DRIVERS WITHIN THE COMPANY HAVING SAME PROBLEM. IT APPEARS THERES NO FIX TO THIS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, AN UNSAFE. WHY ARE THE FUMES COMMING THROUGH THE VENTS. *JB
Nov 2, 2006
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control
AFTER ABOUT 30 MIN COULD SMELL FUMES COMING INTO TRUCK THROUGH AIR CONDITION VENT. WHEN I GET OF TRUCK FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, STARTING TO FEEL BETTER. WHILE SITTING IN THE TRUCK I START FEELING DIZZY, SINUS START UP AFTER ABOUT TWO HOURS IN TRUCK, TIRED ALL THE TIME,WAKE UP WITH HEADACHES. SUSPECT CARBON MONOXIDE COMING IN .DETROIT ENGINE EGR. *JB
Jun 11, 2006 · 254,300 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Daimler Trucks North America RecallsClosed
On April 23, 2018, the National Highway Traï¬c Safety Administration (âNHTSAâ) opened Audit Query (AQ18002) to assess the timeliness and scope of four recalls ï¬led by Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (âDTNAâ). 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 NHTSAâs 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 ï¬eld 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…
AQ18002 · opened Apr 23, 2018 · closed Jul 11, 2024
RACK AND PINION FAILUREClosedLed to recall 09V357000
A CONSUMER COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE AGENCY ON AUGUST 22, 2009, BY AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR LEASING A 2009 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA.THE COMPLAINT ALLEGES THAT IN APRIL OF 2009 AT APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES HE EXPERIENCED A SEAL RUPTURE IN THE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY.A NEW SEAL WAS INSTALLED AND AT 56,000 MILES HE FOUND HIS RIGHT STEER TIRE COMPLETELY BALD.THE REPAIR SHOP IDENTIFIED AN INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE RAPID WEAR OF THE TIRE.ODI HAS IDENTIFIED EWR FIELD REPORTS RELATED TO FAILED RACK AND PINIONS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE REPORTS IDENTIFY EITHER AN INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY THAT RESULTED IN CRASHES OR A LOOSENESS OF THE INNER TIE ROD END OF THE RACK AND PINION RESULTING IN A POOR ALIGNMENT AND PREMATURE TIRE WEAR.INFORMATION RECEIVED DURING THIS INVESTIGATION FROM FREIGHTLINER DETAILED FAILURES OF THE RACK AND PINION…
PE09040 · opened Aug 31, 2009 · closed Nov 19, 2009
POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURESClosed
ODI'S INVESTIGATION OF THE SUBJECT POWER STEERING PUMP HAS FOUND THAT, WITH OVER FIVE YEARS OF OPERATIONAL EXPOSURE, THERE HAVE BEEN NO PUMP FAILURES THAT RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE ROAD OR ANY SUDDEN DROP OFF IN THE POWER STEERING ASSIST AT ANY TIME.THERE ARE NO CRASHES OR INJURIES.THESE REDUCTION IN ASSIST EVENTS HAVE ONLY OCCURRED DURING BACKING OR PARKING MANEUVERS.FREIGHTLINER AND TRW APPEAR TO HAVE ACTED RESPONSIBLY IN PROVIDING INFORMATION TO CUSTOMERS AND DEALERS REGARDING SAFE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR PROCEDURES FOR POWER STEERING PUMPS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED A REDUCTION IN SPEED OF STEER.FREIGHTLINER'S FIELD SERVICE BULLETIN, FSB 46-38, IS A DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINING IF THE TRW POWER STEERING PUMP IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REDUCED POWER ASSIST AND DESCRIBES CORRECTIVE ACTIONS THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN ONCE THE DETERMINATION…
PE08009 · opened Feb 1, 2008 · closed Jul 3, 2008
STEERING COLUMN WELD CRACKSClosedLed to recall 07V289000
AS A RESULT OF THE ODI INVESTIGATION, FREIGHTLINER HAS AGREED TO RECALL (NUMBER 07V-289) ALL OF THE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED WITH STEERING COLUMNS POTENTIALLY MISSING WELDS.THE RECALL REMEDY WILL INVOLVE INSPECTING THE RECALLED VEHICLES FOR MISSING WELDS AND IF FOUND REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN.EARLY WARNING AGGREGATE DATA SUBMITTED TO NHTSA BY FREIGHTLINER SUGGESTED THAT A STEERING PROBLEM (EWR CODE 01) EXISTED FOR THE 2004 AND 2005 CENTURY AND COLUMBIA CLASS VEHICLES.THE COUNT OF FIELD REPORTS SUBMITTED FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2006 WAS HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGE OF THE PREVIOUS 6 QUARTERS FOR THE AGGREGATE STEERING DATA.ODI'S FURTHER REVIEW OF THE EWR DATA FOUNDFIELD REPORTS THAT DESCRIBED STEERING COLUMN FAILURES AS A RESULT OF STEERING COLUMN WELDS CRACKING OR BREAKING.INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM FREIGHTLINER DETAILED FAILURES OF THE STEERING COLUMNS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THESE FAILURES…
EA07002 · opened Jan 30, 2007 · closed Jul 12, 2007
STEERING COLUMN WELD CRACKSClosed
EARLY WARNING AGGREGATE DATA SUBMITTED TO NHTSA BY FREIGHTLINER SUGGESTS THAT A STEERING (EWR CODE 01) PROBLEM EXISTS FOR THE 2004 AND 2005 CENTURY AND COLUMBIA CLASS VEHICLES.THE COUNT OF FIELD REPORTS SUBMITTED FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2006 WAS SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGE OF THE PREVIOUS 6 QUARTERS FOR THE AGGREGATE STEERING DATA.FURTHER REVIEW OF THE EWR DATA FOUNDFIELD REPORTS THAT DESCRIBED STEERING COLUMN FAILURES AS A RESULT OF WELDS CRACKING OR BREAKING.INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM FREIGHTLINER DETAILS A NUMBER OF STEERING COLUMNFAILURES ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THESE FAILURES WERE THE RESULT OF MISSING AND CRACKED WELDS ON THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY.AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA) IS WARRANTED TO DETERMINE IF THE WELD FAILURES IN THE STEERING COLUMN CREATE A SITUATION WHERE THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO STEER OR STARTLES THE DRIVER PRESENTING A SAFETY RISK.
PE06033 · opened Aug 30, 2006 · closed Jan 30, 2007