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.
2004 Freightliner ColumbiaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 13 owner complaints about the 2004 Freightliner Columbia, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 10 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 2004 Freightliner Columbia has problems
13 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
9Engine and engine cooling6 crash/fire/injury
2Power train
1Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
1Tires1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 9 | 6 |
| Power train | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 1 |
| Tires | 1 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
10 recalls
2004 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
Fuel system, diesel
Risk. THIS COULD CREATE A ROAD HAZARD INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
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…
Show 6 more recalls
no report yet
Engine and engine cooling
Risk. THE OIL LINE MAY BE CUT ON THE CYLINDER HEAD CAUSING AN OIL LEAK AND A POSSIBLE FIRE.
no report yet
Steering: linkages
Risk. IF THIS OCCURS, THE VEHICLE COULD SUFFER A LOSS OF STEERING ABILITY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
no report yet
Wheels: hub
Risk. THIS TAPER MAY CAUSE CRACKING OR FRACTURES OF THE FRONT HUB.
no report yet
Seats
Risk. A POSSIBLE VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE SEAT FALL BACKWARDS DURING USE.
no report yet
Power train: driveline
Risk. THIS CONDITION ALLOWS THE BOLTS USED IN THE HOLES TO BECOME DETACHED WHICH COULD RESULT IN A DRIVELINE SEPARATION.
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.
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 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
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2004 Freightliner Columbia, and the recalls they led to.
- STEERING COLUMN WELD CRACKSNo recall
In owners' words
What Columbia owners report
Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
PERSONAL FRIEND/TRUCK DRIVER WAS DRIVING 2004 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA WITH MERCEDES ENGINE ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. OTHER MOTORIST SAW HIM DRIVING ERRATICALLY, AND CALLED POLICE. DASH CAMERA RECORDS HIM WEAVING IN THE ROAD AND FINALLY VEERING INTO ONCOMING LANE, CRASHING INTO CONCRETE BARRIER. IMPACT…
I HAVE A FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA WITH A MBE 4000 MERCEDES ENGINE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAD TO PUT THE TRUCK IN A SHOP FOR AN EXHAUST LEAK. THIS TIME THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING FUMES INTO THE CAB AND MADE ME SICK WITH CARBON MONOXIDE. TOOK TRUCK TO PENN DETROIT DIESEL IN YORK HAVEN,PA. THEY…
HAVE FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA WITH AN MBE 4000 MERCEDES. HAD FLEX PIPE THAT WAS CRACKED LETTING IN CO FUMES. HAD THIS REPLACED BUT AM STILL GETTING LOW LEVELS OF CARBON MONOXIDE IN TRUCK. IT SEAMS TO BE COMING IN THROUGH THE AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATER VENTS. JFB. *NM
Own a 2004 Columbia?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.