repaired · 2019 Q3
Equipment
Risk. In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
2003 Freightliner ColumbiaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 10 owner complaints about the 2003 Freightliner Columbia, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 5 safety recalls, and for recall 17V-810 the manufacturer reports only 1% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 15, 2017. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2003 Freightliner Columbia has problems
10 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
6Engine and engine cooling1 crash/fire/injury
1Exterior lighting
1Power train
1Structure1 crash/fire/injury
1Tires
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 1 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 |
| Power train | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 1 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
5 recalls
2003 Freightliner Columbia 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
Supply: check valve
Risk. THESE CONDITIONS COULD EITHER RESULT IN LEAKAGE AND CAUSE A DELAY IN THE APPLICATION OF THE SPRING BRAKE WITHOUT WARNING OR POSSIBLY LEAD TO UNINTENDED VEHICLE…
no report yet
Seats
Risk. A POSSIBLE VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE SEAT FALL BACKWARDS DURING USE.
no report yet
Power train: manual transmission
Risk. IF SHIFT LEVER DETACHMENT OCCURS, THA ABILITY RO ACCELERATE OT MAINTAIN SPEED WILL BE LOST, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Show 1 more recall
no report yet
Service brakes, air
Risk. THIS COULD LEAD TO REDUCED BRAKE CONTROL, LOSS OF SERVICE BRAKE CONTROL, OR THE EMERGENCY BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY APPLYING, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH WITHOUT…
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
2003 vs. every other Columbia 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 Columbia median. How we score
'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
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2003 Freightliner Columbia, and the recalls they led to.
- Daimler Trucks North America RecallsNo recall
- DIESEL EXHAUST GAS INTRUSIONNo recall
In owners' words
What Columbia owners report
Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
EXHAUST FUMES COMING INTO CAB, CAUSING DIZZINESS, BURNING EYES, AND STUFFY AND BURNING SENSATION IN NOSE AND ON SKIN. I HAVE HAD ALL EXHAUST MANIFOLDS AND GASKETS REPLACED AND I STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM. I FINALLY WENT TO THE INTERNET TO SEE IF THERE WAS SOMETHING I COULD DO TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND…
WHILE DRIVING CAN SMELL EXHAUST FUMES FUMES COMING INTO CAB THROUGH AIR VENTS,WIFE GETTING ILL AN BURNING EYES, HARD TO BREATH,HEADACHES,TIRED ALL THE TIME, ALSO OTHER DRIVER GETTING ILL, ONLY BEEN IN THIS FREIGHTLINER 2 MONTHS, WITH DETROIT. AFTER 10 TO 12 HRS OF SLEEPING, IT ONLY TAKES ABOUT 4…
DT: FUMES COMING INSIDE EQUIPMENT THROUGH AIR VENTS OF TRUCK. THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER 3-4 DIFFERENT TIMES AND THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER FIXED. THESE FUMES CAUSED HEADACHES, NAUSEA,BURNING EYES, AND HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE. NOW, DIAGNOSED WITH COPD. HAVE TALKED TO OTHER DRIVERS AND SAME PROBLEMS…
Own a 2003 Columbia?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.