The 2001 Freightliner Columbia has 1 safety recall and 3 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, air (1 complaint).
Recalls1safety recalls
Complaints3filed by owners
Crashes · fires2 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Suspension › Front › Hub
NHTSA recall 03V112000 · Mar 21, 2003 · 5,716 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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: SEIZURE OF THE BEARINGS CAN CAUSE WHEEL SEPARATION OR WHEEL END FIRE.
Fix: 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.
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*
Service brakes, air Antilock
1
0
0
0
—
Suspension Rear › Springs › Leaf spring assembly › Hanger/bracket
1
0
0
0
—
Steering Gear box (other than rack and pinion)
1
1
0
2
—
Trailer hitches
1
1
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jan 23, 2011 · crashTrailer 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
Nov 28, 2000 · crash · 2 injuriesSteering › 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, 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
Oct 26, 2000Service brakes, air › Antilock DEFECTIVE BRAKE (AXLE FIVE LEFT SIDE, PUSH ROD TRAVEL IS 1/4 INCH), BRAKE SHOES FAILE TO MOVE. NLM
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
PE03005 · opened Feb 7, 2003 · closed Aug 22, 2003FRONT BRAKE AIR HOSE LEAKS 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…
PE02088 · opened Nov 22, 2002 · closed May 1, 2003 · led to recall 03E019000INTEGRAL HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY 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.