repaired · 2022 Q1
Exterior lighting
Risk. The vehicle's rearward visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
2009 Freightliner ColumbiaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 2 owner complaints about the 2009 Freightliner Columbia, most often about the engine. It is covered by 20 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 2009 Freightliner Columbia has problems
2 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
1Engine
1Service brakes
1Service brakes, air
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes, air | 1 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
20 recalls
2009 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 16 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
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
Delivery: fuel pump
Risk. IF A DIESEL FUEL LEAK CONTINUES UNDETECTED, FUEL MAY SPILL ONTO THE ROADWAY 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
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: fuel pump
Risk. IF A DIESEL FUEL LEAK CONTINUES UNDETECTED, FUEL MAY SPILL ONTO THE ROADWAY POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
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
Delivery: fuel pump
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
Supply: quick release valve
Risk. MALFUNCTION OF THE AIR BRAKE SYSTEM COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
no report yet
Engine: diesel
Risk. A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR IF ANOTHER VEHICLE STRIKES THE DPF ON THE ROADWAY.
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
2009 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 2009 Freightliner Columbia, and the recalls they led to.
- Daimler Trucks North America RecallsNo recall
- RACK AND PINION FAILURELed to recall 09V-357
In owners' words
What Columbia owners report
Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
2008 CATERPILLAR ACERT C13 CRANKCASE BREATHER FILTER CLOGGED BECAUSE OF DESIGN. CAUSED TRUCK TO SHUT DOWN IN TRAFFIC CREATING A SAFETY INCIDENT. *TR
Own a 2009 Columbia?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.