repaired · 2022 Q1
Exterior lighting
Risk. The vehicle's rearward visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
2008 Freightliner ColumbiaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 1 owner complaint about the 2008 Freightliner Columbia, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 30 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 2008 Freightliner Columbia has problems
1 complaint grouped by the system owners reported.
1Engine and engine cooling
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
30 recalls
2008 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 26 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
12v/24v/48v battery: cables
Risk. A SHORT CIRCUIT BETWEEN AN UN-FUSED BATTERY CABLE AND CHASSIS GROUND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
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
Engine and engine cooling
Risk. A SHORT CIRCUITED GRID HEATER COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE AND INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
no report yet
Fuel system, other
Risk. FUEL LEAKING ONTO THE ROADWAY MAY RESULT IN VEHICLE CRASH.
no report yet
Engine and engine cooling
Risk. UNEXPECTED EMERGENCY VEHICLE ENGINE SHUTDOWN UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD HAMPER RESCUE OPERATIONS AND PLACE THE PUBLIC AT RISK.
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
Steering: rack and pinion
Risk. A SEPARATED TIE ROD ASSEMBLY CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
no report yet
Engine: diesel
Risk. A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR IF ANOTHER VEHICLE STRIKES THE DPF ON THE ROADWAY.
no report yet
Conventional: air
Risk. IF THE DOUBLE CHECK VALVE BECOMES LODGED, IN THE EVENT OF A PRIMARY RESERVOIR FAILURE, AIR PRESSURE CAN LEAK PAST THE LODGED DOUBLE CHECK VALVE THEREBY…
no report yet
Service brakes, air: disc
Risk. REDUCED BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
no report yet
no report yet
Gear box: shaft sector
Risk. THIS CONDITION HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE THE STEERING GEAR TO STALL AND RESTRICT THE STEERING TURNING ANGLE OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE…
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
Windshield wiper/washer: motor
Risk. THE WIPER MOTOR MAY STOP FUNCTIONING, IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD IMPAIR VISIBILITY AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFELY STOPPED.
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
Steering: column
Risk. LOSS OF STEERING WHEEL POSITION MAY CAUSE THE STEERING TO RESPOND DIFFERENTLY THAN EXPECTED.
no report yet
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery
Risk. THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR THE FLAME TO SPREAD RESULTING IN POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.
no report yet
Suspension: rear
Risk. THE DRIVE AXLE MAY NOT BE HELD IN POSITION IF A CRACKED BRACKET FRACTURES COMPLETELY.
no report yet
Steering
Risk. INCORRECTLY TIGHTENED STEERING ARM FASTENERS MAY FATIGUE AND FRACTURE WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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…
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
2008 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
3 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2008 Freightliner Columbia, and the recalls they led to.
- Daimler Trucks North America RecallsNo recall
- 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.
2008 CAT C15 ACERT ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. WE HAVE 3 OF THESE UNITS IN CLASS 8 TRUCKS ALL HAVE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE EXHAUST TREATMENT SYSTEM ALL HAVE BEEN IN FOR REPAIR MANY TIMES. WHEN THE SYSTEM FAILS THE ENGINE DERATES POWER CAUSING A TRAFFIC PROBLEM DUE TO SLOW MOVING VEHICLE ON AN INTERSTATE…
Own a 2008 Columbia?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.