repaired · 2022 Q1
Exterior lighting
Risk. The vehicle's rearward visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
2006 Freightliner ColumbiaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 14 owner complaints about the 2006 Freightliner Columbia, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 21 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 April 14, 2020. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2006 Freightliner Columbia has problems
14 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
6Engine and engine cooling4 crash/fire/injury
1Equipment
1Fuel system, diesel
1Seat belts1 crash/fire/injury
1Service brakes, air
1Service brakes, hydraulic1 crash/fire/injury
1Steering1 crash/fire/injury
1Structure
1Electrical system
11 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 4 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel system, diesel | 1 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 1 |
| Service brakes, air | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 1 | 1 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 |
| 1 other systems | 1 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
21 recalls
2006 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 · 2023 Q1
Supply: reservoir/tank
Risk. An insufficient air reservoir volume may reduce brake effectiveness, increasing the risk of crash.
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
Engine: diesel
Risk. A FUEL LEAK COULD CREATE A ROAD HAZARD, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Show 17 more recalls
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.
no report yet
Electronic stability control (ESC)
Risk. IF THE DRIVER IS SLOW TO REACT DURING THIS ESC INTERVENTION, THE VEHICLE MAY DEVIATE FROM THE INTENDED LINE OF TRAVEL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
Engine and engine cooling
Risk. A SHORT CIRCUITED GRID HEATER COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE AND INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
no report yet
Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk. IF A DIESEL FUEL LEAK CONTINUES UNDETECTED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS FUEL MAY IGNITE ON A HOT ENGINE SURFACE AND/OR FUEL MAY SPILL ON THE ROAD INCREASING THE…
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
Trailer hitches: fifth wheel assembly
Risk. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE FIFTH WHEEL MAY FAIL TO LATCH WITHOUT THE DRIVER'S KNOWLEDGE.
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
Front: hub
Risk. IF RAPID BEARING WEAR IS ALLOWED TO PROGRESS, THE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
no report yet
Suspension: front
Risk. IF RAPID BEARING WEAR IS ALLOWED TO PROGRESS, THE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
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
Power train: axle assembly
Risk. DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
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
2006 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 2006 Freightliner Columbia, and the recalls they led to.
- Daimler Trucks North America RecallsNo recall
- STEERING COLUMN WELD CRACKSLed to recall 07V-289
- INSECURE FIFTH WHEEL LATCHINGLed to recall 07V-530
- RACK AND PINION FAILURELed to recall 09V-357
In owners' words
What Columbia owners report
Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
I HAVE CARBON MONOXIDE IN MY 2006 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA WITH A MERCEDES MOTOR. I HAVE BLACK SOOT THAT IS IN MY VENTS ALL THE TIME, I HAVE CONSTANT HEADACHES WHEN IN THE TRUCK AND AM TIRED, ALONG WITH OTHER THINGS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA. PRIOR TO DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED AN OIL LEAK, COOLANT LEAK, INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAK, AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY 15 TIMES FOR ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO LEAKS AND OTHER ENGINE WORK.…
I AM A COMPANY DRIVER, GOT IN THIS TRUCK IN FEB OF 2006, CAN SMELL FUMES COMING INTO CAB, AIR COND VENTS, HAVING HEADACHES, EYES BURNING, WENT TO DOCTOR IN JUNE OF 2006, HE SAID MY BLOOD PRESSURE WAS 200/110. NEVER HAVE HAD PROBLEMS BEFORE. DON'T SMOKE OR DRINK. WHEN I GET OUT OF TRUCK FOR A FEW…
Own a 2006 Columbia?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.