repaired · 2023 Q1
Supply: reservoir/tank
Risk. An insufficient air reservoir volume may reduce brake effectiveness, increasing the risk of crash.
2005 Freightliner ColumbiaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 38 owner complaints about the 2005 Freightliner Columbia, most often about the power train. It is covered by 14 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 May 14, 2019. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2005 Freightliner Columbia has problems
38 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
24Power train
4Wheels1 crash/fire/injury
3Engine and engine cooling1 crash/fire/injury
2Electrical system
2Suspension
2Tires
1Service brakes
1Structure
1Visibility
33 other systems1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 24 | 0 |
| Wheels | 4 | 1 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 | 1 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 1 |
| Visibility | 1 | 1 |
| 3 other systems | 3 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
14 recalls
2005 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.
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.
no report yet
Steering: rack and pinion
Risk. THE STEERING COULD UNEXPECTEDLY TURN LEFT OR RIGHT, MAKING THE VEHICLE MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
Fuel system, diesel
Risk. THIS COULD CREATE A ROAD HAZARD INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Show 10 more recalls
no report yet
no report yet
Fuel system, diesel
Risk. IF A LEAK CONTINUES UNDETECTED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, FUEL MAY IGNITE AT A HOT ENGINE SURFACE AND/OR FUEL MAY BE SPILLED ON THE ROAD SURFACE.
no report yet
Linkages: tie rod assembly
Risk. A FRACTURED TIE ROD ASSEMBLY WILL MAKE THE VEHICLE MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND A CRASH MAY OCCUR.
no report yet
Linkages: tie rod assembly
Risk. A FRACTURED TIE ROD ASSEMBLY WILL MAKE THE VEHICLE MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND A CRASH MAY OCCUR.
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
Steering: column
Risk. COLUMNS WITH TWO WELDS MISSING MAY FATIGUE AND FRACTURE AND ALLOW THE STEERING WHEEL TO PROGRESSIVELY BE MOVED OUT OF ITS NORMAL POSITION WHICH MAY CAUSE THE…
no report yet
Electrical system
Risk. IF THE PROTECTIVE COVER IS MISSING OR NOT POSITIONED CORRECTLY, ANY WATER INTRUSION FROM AN OPEN WINDOW OR WINDSHIELD LEAK MAY SEEP THROUGH THE UPPER DASH…
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
Axle: spindle
Risk. INCORRECTLY HEAT TREATED SPINDLES COULD FRACTURE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
no report yet
Wheels
Risk. THIS MAY EVENTUALLY LEAD TO WHEEL FAILURE AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE 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.
Mileage at failure
When do power train problems start?
176kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 24 power train complaints. 8% were reported before 100,000 miles.
0under 30k miles2under 100k miles22100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2005 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
4 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2005 Freightliner Columbia, and the recalls they led to.
- Daimler Trucks North America RecallsNo recall
- STEERING COLUMN WELD CRACKSLed to recall 07V-289
- STEERING COLUMN WELD CRACKSNo recall
- RACK AND PINION FAILURELed to recall 09V-357
In owners' words
What Columbia owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
CLUTCH MAKING NOISE AND HARD TO GET INTO GEAR. HAD CLUTCH REPLACED, KNOWING WHAT HAPPENS NEXT WE DID NOT WAIT, KNOW CLUTCH IS GOING TO COME APART. TRUCK WORKS GREAT NOW. *NM
TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT AT TIMES, HAS AUTO SHIFT TOP HOUSING, CHECK AND FOUND CLUTCH WOULD NOT RELEASE AT TIMES, REPLACE CLUTCH. WORKS FINE NOW. *NM
CLUTCH HARD TO RELEASE,CHECKED IT OUT STARTING TO COME APART JUST LIKE THE REST OF AUTO SHIFTS, REPLACE CLUTCH WORK FINE NOW. *JB
Own a 2005 Columbia?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.