2010 Freightliner ColumbiaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 1 owner complaint about the 2010 Freightliner Columbia, most often about the visibility. It is covered by 18 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 2010 Freightliner Columbia has problems

1 complaint grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Visibility10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

18 recalls

2010 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.

50%repaired · 2022 Q1

Exterior lighting

Recall 20V-214 · Apr 14, 2020 · 63,175 vehicles · 31,569 repaired

Risk. The vehicle's rearward visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

1%repaired · 2019 Q3

Equipment

Recall 17V-810 · Dec 15, 2017 · 24,860 vehicles · 228 repaired

Risk. In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

65%repaired · 2017 Q3

Disc: caliper

Recall 16V-206 · Apr 12, 2016 · 702 vehicles · 455 repaired

Risk. Caliper contact with the spring suspension may reduce the braking effectiveness, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 14 more recalls
–no report yet

Steering: rack and pinion

Recall 11V-514 · Oct 13, 2011 · 9,689 vehicles

Risk. THE STEERING COULD UNEXPECTEDLY TURN LEFT OR RIGHT, MAKING THE VEHICLE MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Electronic stability control (ESC)

Recall 11V-465 · Sep 8, 2011 · 4,444 vehicles

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

12v/24v/48v battery: cables

Recall 11V-330 · Jun 21, 2011 · 48,170 vehicles

Risk. A SHORT CIRCUIT BETWEEN AN UN-FUSED BATTERY CABLE AND CHASSIS GROUND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Delivery: fuel pump

Recall 11V-287 · May 18, 2011 · 268 vehicles

Risk. IF A DIESEL FUEL LEAK CONTINUES UNDETECTED, FUEL MAY SPILL ONTO THE ROADWAY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 11V-146 · Mar 3, 2011 · 2,073 vehicles

Risk. A SHORT CIRCUITED GRID HEATER COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE AND INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Delivery: fuel pump

Recall 10V-339 · Jul 27, 2010 · 13,410 vehicles

Risk. IF A DIESEL FUEL LEAK CONTINUES UNDETECTED, FUEL MAY SPILL ONTO THE ROADWAY POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 10V-341 · Jul 27, 2010 · 5,743 vehicles

Risk. A SHORT CIRCUITED GRID HEATER COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE AND INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 10V-112 · Mar 23, 2010 · 16 vehicles

Risk. UNEXPECTED EMERGENCY VEHICLE ENGINE SHUTDOWN UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD HAMPER RESCUE OPERATIONS AND PLACE THE PUBLIC AT RISK.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 09V-400 · Oct 8, 2009 · 18,067 vehicles

Risk. A SHORT-CIRCUITED GRID HEATER COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE AND INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 09V-391 · Oct 6, 2009 · 10,185 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Steering: rack and pinion

Recall 09V-357 · Sep 16, 2009 · 8,882 vehicles

Risk. A SEPARATED TIE ROD ASSEMBLY CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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

2010 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 2010 Freightliner Columbia, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Daimler Trucks North America RecallsAQ18002 · closed Jul 11, 2024
    No recall
  2. RACK AND PINION FAILUREPE09040 · closed Nov 19, 2009
    Led to recall 09V-357
In owners' words

What Columbia owners report

Recent visibility complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WINDSHIELD IS LEAKING AFTER 2 TIMES RESEALING BY DEALER THEY REPLACED WINDSHIELD WITH NEW ONE, ALL NEW PARTS, IT IS STILL LEAKING WORST THAN BEFORE AND THEY HAVE NO ANSWER FOR IT AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE THE PROBLEM IS,I KNOW MORE DRIVERS WITH SAME PROBLEM.THE LEAK IS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE MOLDING…
Complaint 10317389 · Mar 6, 2010 · 2,000 miles

Own a 2010 Columbia?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.