Model year record

2002 Freightliner Fs-65 recalls & problems

The 2002 Freightliner Fs-65 has 3 safety recalls and 5 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is structure (4 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints5filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Fuel system, dieselApr 27, 2005

Fuel system, diesel

Recall 05V20500016,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: CERTAIN 1998-2003 MY FREIGHTLINER FS-65 SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS AND MB-45, MB-55, AND XB SHUTTLE BUS CHASSIS, AND THOMAS BUILT BUS: MVP-ER AND MVP-EF SCHOOL BUS AND NON-SCHOOL BUS MODELS EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS ISB DIESEL ENGINES AND EQUIPPED WITH FEDERAL-MOGAL 12 AND 24 VOLT FUEL LIFT PUMPS. THE FUEL PUMP COULD FAIL TO TRANSFER FUEL APPROPRIATELY CREATING AN ENGINE STALL CONDITION.
Risk: SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE, A POSSIBLE VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Fix: CUMMINS WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS OF FREIGHTLINER AND THOMAS BUILT AND REPLACE THE FUEL LIFT PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-800-DIESELS.

Service brakes, hydraulicJul 12, 2004

Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 04V3430003,200 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR ENGINES AND HYDRAULIC BRAKES. A BRAIDED GROUND STRAP FOR THE STARTER MAY RUB ON A STEEL CHASSIS BRAKE LINE POTENTIALLY CAUSING A FLUID LEAK.
Risk: A BRAKE FLUID LEAK CAN REDUCE BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASE THE STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LINE AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY. THE BRAIDED GROUND STRAP WILL BE REPLACED WITH AN INSULATED CABLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 10, 2004. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Service brakes, hydraulicApr 2, 2002

Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 02V08400016,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES, THE BRAKE HOSES FROM THE CHASSIS TO FRONT BRAKE CHAMBERS COULD DEVELOP LEAKS DUE TO THE HOSE ROUTING THAT COULD OVERSTRESS THE HOSE DURING SHARP TURNS.
Risk: THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE REDUCED BRAKING CAPACITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR IMPROPER ROUTING. IF IMPROPER ROUTING IS FOUND, DEALERS WILL REPLACE AND CORRECT THE HOSE ROUTING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 29, 2002. 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*
StructureFrame and members; Frame and members › Underbody shields	4	0	0	0	112,539 mi
Fuel system, otherFuel injection system	1	0	0	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Structure › Frame and members › Underbody shields
FRAME IS CRACKED AND NEARLY SEPARATED ABOVE REAR AXLE. *TR
Oct 10, 2014 · 95,869 miles
Structure › Frame and members
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FREIGHTLINER FS65 SCHOOL BUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER COMPLETING A ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE THEY NOTICED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER FRAME WAS CRACK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO STATED THEY WILL REIMBURSE FOR THE PARTS BUT NOT FOR THE LABOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,525.
Aug 1, 2012 · 71,525 miles
Structure › Frame and members
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FREIGHTLINER FS65 SCHOOL BUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER FRAME WAS CRACK. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS FOUND AFTER A ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WAS COMPLETED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED TO PAY FOR THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,982.
Sep 1, 2012 · 172,982 miles
Structure › Frame and members
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FREIGHT-LINER FS65 SCHOOL BUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING ROUTING MAINTENANCE DONE ON THE VEHICLE, HE WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER FRAME HAD DEVELOPED A CRACK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD REIMBURSE FOR THE PARTS BUT NOT FOR THE LABOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,210.
Aug 1, 2012 · 129,210 miles
Fuel system, other › Fuel injection system
ROSEAU SCHOOL DISTRICT OPERATES A FLEET OF 26 BUSES COVERING APPROX. 1000 SQUARE MILES IN AREA. IN 1999 ROSEAU SCHOOLS BEGAN PURCHASING BUSES WITH THE CUMMINS ISB ENGINES (AN ALL ELECTRONIC ENGINE REPLACING THE OLDER "B" ENGINES). THE DISTRICT NOW HAS 8 UNITS WITH THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE. THE DISTRICT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING TOO MANY PROBLEMS WITH SENSORS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS COMING ON AND POWER DERATING WHEN OPERATING THESE ENGINES. A COMMON PROBLEM IS LIFT PUMP FAILURE CAUSING RETOACTIVE FAILURE TO THE INJECTION PUMP (CUMMINS NAME FOR THE INJECTION PUMP IS THE VP44 PUMP). WHEN PUMP FAILURE OCCURS A NUMBER OF THINGS MAY HAPPEN - EITHER THE ENGINE MAY GO INTO THE LIMP MODE WHICH WILL LET THE…
Jan 7, 2005 · 55,028 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

FRONT AIR BRAKE HOSE LEAKAGEClosedLed to recall 02V084000
There is no summary currently available
PE02024 · opened Feb 22, 2002 · closed Mar 25, 2002