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Freightliner ColumbiaYears to avoid, problems & recalls

NHTSA has 96 owner complaints and 63 safety recalls on record for the Freightliner Columbia.

Years to avoidNoneBased on weighted complaintsBest years—Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints96Top: Engine and engine coolingSafety recalls631997–2021 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years.

Best & worst years

Freightliner Columbia years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Columbia median. Tap a year for its full report.

'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2021Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall2020Not rated–/1000 complaints · 2 recalls2019Not rated–/1000 complaints · 3 recalls2018Not rated–/1000 complaints · 2 recalls2017Not rated–/1000 complaints · 3 recalls2016Not rated–/1000 complaints · 3 recalls2015Not rated–/1000 complaints · 3 recalls2014Not rated–/1000 complaints · 5 recalls2013Not rated–/1000 complaints · 5 recalls2012Not rated–/1000 complaints · 6 recalls2011Not rated–/1000 complaints · 13 recalls2010Not rated–/1001 complaint · 18 recalls2009Not rated–/1002 complaints · 20 recalls2008Not rated–/1001 complaint · 30 recalls2007Not rated–/10011 complaints · 27 recalls2006Not rated–/10014 complaints · 21 recalls2005Not rated–/10038 complaints · 14 recalls2004Not rated–/10013 complaints · 10 recalls2003Not rated–/10010 complaints · 5 recalls2002Not rated–/1002 complaints · 3 recalls2001Not rated–/1003 complaints · 1 recall2000Not rated–/1001 complaint · 3 recalls1999Not rated–/1000 complaints · 2 recalls1998Not rated–/1000 complaints · 2 recalls1997Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall
Complaints by system

Most common Freightliner Columbia problems

All model years combined: 96 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 cooling2913
Power train270
Electrical system53
Visibility51
Tires51
Structure52
Wheels41
Service brakes, air30
Suspension31
12 other systems198
63 recalls

Freightliner Columbia recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

70%Link: connection23V-105 · 2019–2021 · Feb 20, 2023 · 60,604 vehicles50%Exterior lighting20V-214 · 2006–2020 · Apr 14, 2020 · 63,175 vehicles14%Supply: reservoir/tank19V-370 · 2005–2009 · May 14, 2019 · 741 vehicles87%Disc: caliper18V-525 · 2018–2019 · Aug 9, 2018 · 4,155 vehicles1%Equipment17V-810 · 2002–2017 · Dec 15, 2017 · 24,860 vehicles65%Disc: caliper16V-206 · 2010–2017 · Apr 12, 2016 · 702 vehicles51%Seat belts14V-150 · 2014 · Mar 28, 2014 · 938 vehicles74%Seat belts13V-604 · 2014 · Nov 29, 2013 · 26,310 vehicles–Suspension: front12V-266 · 2013 · Jun 12, 2012 · 217 vehicles–Engine: diesel12V-074 · 2006–2013 · Feb 28, 2012 · 103,437 vehicles–Steering: rack and pinion11V-514 · 2005–2011 · Oct 13, 2011 · 9,689 vehicles–Fuel system, diesel11V-478 · 2004–2008 · Sep 16, 2011 · 73,500 vehicles

Showing the 12 newest of 63 recalls. Each model-year page lists all recalls for that year.

9 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the Columbia

  1. Daimler Trucks North America RecallsAQ18002 · 2002–2017 · closed Jul 11, 2024
    No recall
  2. Output shaft failure and separationPE11028 · 2011 · closed Nov 22, 2011
    No recall
  3. RACK AND PINION FAILUREPE09040 · 2005–2010 · closed Nov 19, 2009
    Led to recall 09V-357
  4. INSECURE FIFTH WHEEL LATCHINGPE07047 · 2006–2008 · closed Nov 19, 2007
    Led to recall 07V-530
  5. STEERING COLUMN WELD CRACKSEA07002 · 2005–2006 · closed Jul 12, 2007
    Led to recall 07V-289
  6. STEERING COLUMN WELD CRACKSPE06033 · 2004–2005 · closed Jan 30, 2007
    No recall
  7. DIESEL EXHAUST GAS INTRUSIONPE04036 · 2003 · closed Dec 6, 2004
    No recall
  8. FRONT BRAKE AIR HOSE LEAKSPE03005 · 1998–2001 · closed Aug 22, 2003
    No recall
  9. INTEGRAL HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLYPE02088 · 1997–2002 · closed May 1, 2003
    Led to recall 03E-019