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2004 Freightliner CenturyProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 2 owner complaints about the 2004 Freightliner Century, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints20 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage301kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 17, 2006. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2004 Freightliner Century has problems

2 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

2004 Freightliner Century recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Steering: linkages

Recall 05V-408 · Sep 13, 2005 · 37,029 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS, THE VEHICLE COULD SUFFER A LOSS OF STEERING ABILITY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Power train: driveline

Recall 04V-590 · Dec 15, 2004 · 1,095 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION ALLOWS THE BOLTS USED IN THE HOLES TO BECOME DETACHED WHICH COULD RESULT IN A DRIVELINE SEPARATION.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Power train: manual transmission

Recall 04V-205 · May 4, 2004 · 14,000 vehicles

Risk. IF SHIFT LEVER DETACHMENT OCCURS, THA ABILITY RO ACCELERATE OT MAINTAIN SPEED WILL BE LOST, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Freightliner.

Best & worst years

2004 vs. every other Century year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Century median. How we score

'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2004 Freightliner Century, and the recalls they led to.

  1. STEERING COLUMN WELD CRACKSPE06033 · closed Jan 30, 2007
    No recall
  2. POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURESPE08009 · closed Jul 3, 2008
    No recall
In owners' words

What Century owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

FUMES COMING INTO CAB, MAKING ME SICK, HEADACHE, BURNING EYES, DISORIENTED. TIRED, FATIGUE, LAST EIGHT DAYS THIS STARTED. *JB
Complaint 10168465 · Sep 17, 2006 · 300,572 miles

Own a 2004 Century?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.