Freightliner Columbia 2004
Model Columbia made in 2004 by Freightliner got 14 consumer complains, 2 investigations there are 9 recalls as well as 9 service bulletins. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to electrical system, engine and engine cooling and power train. Technical service bulletines regarding electrical system, exterior lighting and (pws). The car had one investigation (steering). There were some recalls concerningengine and engine cooling, fuel system, diesel and power train.
Model 2004
Recalls
| Campaign | Manufacturer | Manufacturing date | Type | # of units affected | Date Owner notified Mfg | Recall Initiated by | Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products | Report Recieved Date | Record Creation Date | Regulation Part Number | FMVSS Number | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | ||||||||||||||||
| 06V030000 | FREIGHTLINER LLC | from 04/09/2004 to 10/07/2005 | V (Vehicle) | 5771 | 04/17/2006 | ODI | FREIGHTLINER LLC | 02/08/2006 | 02/08/2006 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | On certain trucks equipped with caterpillar diesel engines, the variable valve actuation oil line may wear against the sharp edge of the cylinder head if not positioned correctly. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | The oil line may be cut on the cylinder head causing an oil leak and a possible fire. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Caterpillar, in conjunction with freightliner, will be conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign free of charge. owners may call caterpillar at 309-675-6496, or freightliner at 1-800-547-0712. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Freightliner recall no. fl-471.customers may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration | |||||||||||||||
| 09V366000 | DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA | from 04/01/2003 to 06/30/2009 | V (Vehicle) | 25362 | 05/05/2009 | MFR | DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA | 09/23/2009 | 09/25/2009 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | Daimler trucks is recalling model year 2004-2010 trucks equipped with caterpillar c15 engine. the variable valve actuation oil line may rub against the p-clips retaining the oil line, causing an oil leak. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | An oil leak may result in a fire. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Daimler trucks is working with caterpillar to remedy these vehicles. please see caterpillar's defect report 09e-020. caterpillar will inspect and repair the necessary components free of charge. the recall began on may 5, 2009. owners may contact caterpillar toll-free at 1-800-447-4986 or daimler trucks at 1-800-547-0712. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Daimler trucks recall no. fl-558. owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov . | |||||||||||||||
| FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL | ||||||||||||||||
| 11V478000 | DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA | from 07/11/2003 | V (Vehicle) | 73500 | 02/21/2012 | MFR | FREIGHTLINER LLC | 09/16/2011 | 09/21/2011 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | Daimler trucks is recalling certain model year 2004 through 2008 heavy trucks manufactured from july 11, 2003, through september 28, 2007, equipped with epa04 model mbe4000 engines built with plastic low pressure fuel lines and fuel filters mounted near the center of the engine on the left-hand side. the plastic low pressure fuel line between engine mounted fuel filter and engine block may develop a substantial diesel fuel leak. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | This could create a road hazard increasing the risk of a crash. fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Daimler trucks will notify owners and the remedy will be performed by detroit diesel corporation authorized repair facilities. vehicles will be inspected and the plastic low pressure fuel line will be replaced with a steel low pressure fuel line. this service will be performed free of charge. an interim letter was mailed to owners on october 28, 2011. the safety recall began on february 21, 2012. owners may contact daimler trucks at 1-800-547-0712. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Daimler trucks' campaign number is 11c-2.owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov . | |||||||||||||||
| POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE | ||||||||||||||||
| 04V590000 | FREIGHTLINER LLC | from 05/07/2004 to 10/20/2004 | V (Vehicle) | 1095 | 04/04/2005 | MFR | FREIGHTLINER LLC | 12/15/2004 | 12/17/2004 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | On certain vehicles, there is a defect in the interaxle driveline yokes. the bolt holes located on the earwork of the male shaft yokes were manufactured with an oversized minor thread diameter. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | This condition allows the bolts used in the holes to become detached which could result in a driveline separation. driveline separation could result in a vehicle crash. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Dealers will replace the suspect male shaft yokes. the recall began on april 4, 2005. owners should contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Freightliner recall no. fl-436.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration?s auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236). | |||||||||||||||
| POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION | ||||||||||||||||
| 04V205000 | FREIGHTLINER LLC | from 10/17/2003 | V (Vehicle) | 14000 | 05/21/2004 | MFR | FREIGHTLINER LLC | 05/04/2004 | 05/07/2004 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | On certain trucks equipped with manual transmission, the tapered joint that attaches the shifter to the transmission may become loose making it difficult to put the transmission into gear. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | If shift lever detachment occurs, tha ability ro accelerate ot maintain speed will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Dealers will re-secure the shift lever to the transmission using threadlock and re-torquing the fastening bolt. owner notification began on may 21, 2004. owners should contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Freightliner recall no. fl-420.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration | |||||||||||||||
| SEATS | ||||||||||||||||
| 05V001000 | FREIGHTLINER LLC | from 08/01/2002 to 09/30/2004 | V (Vehicle) | 1770 | 04/20/2005 | MFR | FREIGHTLINER LLC | 01/03/2005 | 01/03/2005 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | On certain trucks equipped with seats built by gra-mag, the seat pivot bolts can loosen and possibly fracture or dislodge, causing the seat back to fail to provide full support to the driver's back. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | A possible vehicle crash could occur should the seat fall backwards during use. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Dealers will repair these vehicles. the recall began on april 20, 2005. owners may contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Freightliner recall no. fl-438.customers may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov. | |||||||||||||||
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - SUPPLY - CHECK VALVE | ||||||||||||||||
| 07V302000 | FREIGHTLINER LLC | from 07/01/2002 to 07/03/2007 | V (Vehicle) | 75000 | 01/11/2008 | MFR | FREIGHTLINER LLC | 07/16/2007 | 07/16/2007 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | Certain freightliner school bus chassis, heavy trucks, and thomas built school buses manufactured between july 2002 and july 3, 2007, equipped with bendix sr-7 spring brake control valves. the parker scv brass 90 degree single check valves (scv) which attach to the supply port of a bendix sr-7 spring brake modulating valve can break apart. pieces of the parker scv can become lodged inside the sr-7 spring brake modulating valve, potentially causing either leakage out of the sr-7 valve or preventing air from properly exhausting from the sr-7 valve. also, due to a manufacturing defect in the internal rubber check valve inside the sr-7 spring brake modulating valves, the valves can become deformed and not seat properly. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | 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 rollaway or brake drag which could result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or death. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Freightliner will notify owners and repair the vehicles free of charge. the recall began on january 11, 2008 to freightliner, sterling, and freightliner custom chassis owners; to thomas built bus owners on february 1, 2008. owners can contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Freightliner recall no. fl-504.customers may contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov. | |||||||||||||||
| STEERING - LINKAGES | ||||||||||||||||
| 05V408000 | FREIGHTLINER LLC | from 04/01/2004 to 11/30/2004 | V (Vehicle) | 37029 | 11/16/2005 | MFR | FREIGHTLINER LLC | 09/13/2005 | 09/19/2005 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | On certain truck and motor home chassis equipped with i-shafts supplied by zf heavy duty steering, there is a potential for a failure of the fork/shaft connection. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | If this occurs, the vehicle could suffer a loss of steering ability, which could result in a crash. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Dealers will inspect and attach a tension collar to the steering shaft to secure the connection to the yoke. the recall began on november 16, 2005. owners may contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Freightliner recall no. fl-452.customers may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration | |||||||||||||||
| WHEELS - CAP/COVER/HUB | ||||||||||||||||
| 05V285000 | FREIGHTLINER LLC | from 08/30/2004 to 03/29/2005 | V (Vehicle) | 1786 | 03/15/2006 | MFR | FREIGHTLINER LLC | 06/14/2005 | 06/17/2005 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | On certain trucks equipped with 3rd generation conmet aluminum wheels, the drum mounting flange on the conmet truturn brake drum may have been manufactured with a taper from the pilot hole to the barrel of the drum. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | This taper may cause cracking or fractures of the front hub. this could cause a crash without prior warning. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | After further investigation and testing, freightliner has revised the population and the remedy (december 22, 2005). therefore, the recall began on march 15, 2006. owners may contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Freightliner recall no.fl-451. customers may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov. | |||||||||||||||
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||||
| 338 | 03/01/2006 | 338A | 10020424 | Icu4/4m lightbar low voltage indicators and lamps. *kb | 09/28/2006 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING | |||||
| SB-54-247 | 09/01/2009 | 10031784 | Freightliner truck: intermittent electrical issues. intermittent electrical issues have been reported on century class and columbia trucks. issues with engine performance, automated transmission shifting, and chassis lighting. if issues | 01/13/2010 | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TURN SIGNAL | |||||
| TSB-54-237 | 07/01/2009 | 10029425 | Freightliner: a new bulb socket is available for turn/park lights that is metalized to withstand high heat without out gassing. model years unknown. models columbia, business class m2 and cascadia. *pe | 07/08/2009 | |
| (PWS) | |||||
| SB42-68 | 12/01/2012 | 10049539 | Freightliner: brake s-cam tube lubrication interval change. to ensure optimum service life and trouble-free operation, the recommended maintenance interval for lubricating meritor s-cam brake tubes on century class, columbia, cascadia and c | 01/16/2013 | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - SUPPLY - HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | |||||
| FSC-411A | 07/01/2009 | 10030852 | Daimler trucks: freightliner columbia front air brake hoses-air products inc. only. on certain trucks, an elbow fitting connecting the brake air line hose to the front brake chambers may not have been installed at the factory. csc lette | 12/09/2009 | |
| STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | |||||
| SB-46-47 | 10/01/2009 | 10031824 | Freightliner truck: inner tie rod inspection and repair, rack and pinion gear. increased length of the driver side inner tie rod (if the inner tie rod unthreads from the rack) may cause abnormal steer tire wear due to high toe in or an in | 01/13/2010 | |
| STEERING - RACK AND PINION | |||||
| SB-46-47 | 10/01/2009 | 10031824 | Freightliner truck: inner tie rod inspection and repair, rack and pinion gear. increased length of the driver side inner tie rod (if the inner tie rod unthreads from the rack) may cause abnormal steer tire wear due to high toe in or an in | 01/13/2010 | |
| STRUCTURE - BODY | |||||
| 8833 | 05/01/2006 | 8833 | 10020435 | Bug screen reinforcement on century class conventional and the columbia. the clips on the bug reinforcement may cause abrasions to the screen material. freightliner. *kb | 10/04/2006 |
| SUSPENSION - REAR - AXLE - NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY | |||||
| 355 | 01/01/2007 | 355A | 10022818 | Arvinmeritor rear drive axle lock screws. *kb | 09/28/2007 |
Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | ||||||
| PE06033 | FREIGHTLINER LLC | 08/30/2006 | 01/30/2007 | STEERING COLUMN WELD CRACKS | ||
| Early warning aggregate data submitted to nhtsa by freightliner suggests that a steering (ewr code 01) problem exists for the 2004 and 2005 century and columbia class vehicles.the count of field reports submitted for the first quarter of 2006 was significantly higher than the average of the previous 6 quarters for the aggregate steering data.further review of the ewr data foundfield reports that described steering column failures as a result of welds cracking or breaking.information received from freightliner details a number of steering columnfailures on the subject vehicles.these failures were the result of missing and cracked welds on the steering column assembly.an engineering analysis (ea) is warranted to determine if the weld failures in the steering column create a situation where the vehicle becomes difficult to steer or startles the driver presenting a safety risk. | ||||||
| STEERING - COLUMN | ||||||
| PE06033 | FREIGHTLINER LLC | 08/30/2006 | 01/30/2007 | STEERING COLUMN WELD CRACKS | ||
| Early warning aggregate data submitted to nhtsa by freightliner suggests that a steering (ewr code 01) problem exists for the 2004 and 2005 century and columbia class vehicles.the count of field reports submitted for the first quarter of 2006 was significantly higher than the average of the previous 6 quarters for the aggregate steering data.further review of the ewr data foundfield reports that described steering column failures as a result of welds cracking or breaking.information received from freightliner details a number of steering columnfailures on the subject vehicles.these failures were the result of missing and cracked welds on the steering column assembly.an engineering analysis (ea) is warranted to determine if the weld failures in the steering column create a situation where the vehicle becomes difficult to steer or startles the driver presenting a safety risk. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING | |||
| 07/23/2007 | 1 | ||
| 2004 freightliner columbia caught fire under the hood. *kb according to the report, the fire started due to a possible short in the wring. ohio traffic crash report *jb | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM | |||
| 02/07/2008 | 1 | ||
| Personal friend/truck driver was driving 2004 freightliner columbia with mercedes engine on interstate highway. other motorist saw him driving erratically, and called police. dash camera records him weaving in the road and finally veering into oncoming lane, crashing into concrete barrier. impact with the wall causes fuel tank to separate from cab, causing small fire which did not burn driver or cab. driver was pronounced dead at the scene. autopsy revealed significantly high level of co in blood (61-65 %), but no heart attack or stroke or any other natural cause. death is ruled accidental. fortunately, there were no other serious injuries, but many others could have been killed. there is apparently a problem with the exhaust system on this vehicle, and others will die unless this problem is corrected. *tr | |||
| 10/31/2006 | 295400 | 1 | 06/24/2004 |
| I have a freightliner columbia with a mbe 4000 mercedes engine. this is the second time i had to put the truck in a shop for an exhaust leak. this time the exhaust manifold was leaking fumes into the cab and made me sick with carbon monoxide. took truck to penn detroit diesel in york haven,pa. they found that the exhaust manifold was off on port #1 and #2 by 1/16 inch there by allowing exhaust fumes to escape and enter the cab through the fresh air vent that is under the hood of the truck. they checked for exhaust leaks after the work was done and said it was fixed. i then hooked up to my trailer and did my walk around and smelled a strong odor of exhaust coming from the front of the truck. i when back in and reported this and they said that it was the oil burning off the manifold. i am still getting co in the truck. will this end when i die or kill someone else??any help on this matter would be grateful!!!! *nm | |||
| 10/05/2006 | 287737 | 1 | 06/24/2004 |
| Have freightliner columbia with an mbe 4000 mercedes. had flex pipe that was cracked letting in co fumes. had this replaced but am still getting low levels of carbon monoxide in truck. it seams to be coming in through the air conditioning and heater vents. jfb. *nm | |||
| 06/10/2006 | 300000 | 1 | 04/04/2005 |
| Having health issues, headaches, blurred vision, infection in eye, fatigue, hard breathing, chest pains, did test for carbon monoxide levels of 31,j ust sitting, no other vehicles around while testing. been ill for a long time. can taste the fumes coming in. these fumes coming through the air condition vents. mercedes engine. *jb | |||
| 06/11/2006 | 300000 | 1 | |
| Suspect carbon monoxide entering through vents making me ill having headaches ,eye infections and chest pains shortness of breath, fatigue blurred vision. checked levels of carbon monoxide up to 31, coming through air vents. *jb | |||
| 04/06/2004 | 1 | ||
| Our company has a fleet of 2004 freightliners columbia cabs semi-tractors, while i was in our repair shop this last weekend, they had a truck isolated, because a driver had died in it. cod has not been determined at this point. we have had several rollover accidents in these trucks, and i have talked to numerous drivers about exhaust leaks. our company is now in the process of installing carbon monocide detectors in these new trucks. my concern is, how many unexplainable accidents are we goning to have before these problems are resolved. i do not know if freightliner is moving fast enough to prevent future deaths and endangerment to the general public. i hope the nhtsa is already aware of this problem and working with them to resolve or remove these vehicles from operations, until the unsafe conditions are corrected.*ak | |||
| 02/12/2004 | 1 | ||
| Exhaust fumes coming in to the cab through the heater air condition vents. this seems to be a problem with all the freightliner colombia model trucks with the detroit diesel engine that walmart owns. one driver said that he put a co detector in his truck and it went off more than once. i put one in my truck, but it did not go off. we have had one driver run off the road. he said that he got so tired that he could hardly keep his eyes open. he was checked for heart attack and stroke and nothing was found. nobody ever checked him for co. *jb | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL - CRANKCASE (PCV) | |||
| 11/04/2005 | 150000 | 5 | 08/15/1998 |
| Carbon monoxide leakage into cab from heater/air conditioning system on freightliner columbia trucks with detroit egr (epa compliant) engines about 2003 and newer. carbon monoxide resulted in elevated blood pressure, nausea, flu like symptoms, headaches, tiredness, etc.. truck has been worked on 5 times for this problem, numerous parts have been replaced. has not corrected the problem, or only for a short while. problem exists in several areas and is not readily apparent when doing in shop testing, repair and replacement. some problems are related to freightliner and some to detroit diesel. have been advised is not uncommon. *jb | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE | |||
| 11/04/2005 | 150000 | 5 | 08/15/1998 |
| Carbon monoxide leakage into cab from heater/air conditioning system on freightliner columbia trucks with detroit egr (epa compliant) engines about 2003 and newer. carbon monoxide resulted in elevated blood pressure, nausea, flu like symptoms, headaches, tiredness, etc.. truck has been worked on 5 times for this problem, numerous parts have been replaced. has not corrected the problem, or only for a short while. problem exists in several areas and is not readily apparent when doing in shop testing, repair and replacement. some problems are related to freightliner and some to detroit diesel. have been advised is not uncommon. *jb | |||
| 03/01/2004 | 3 | ||
| Consumer complained of exhaust fumes entering cab on a regular basis which was causing illness.*ak | |||
| POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY | |||
| 08/08/2005 | 185011 | 1 | 12/20/2003 |
| Clutch was hard to release, check and found clutch was coming apart. replace clutch,everything works fine now. *nm | |||
| 07/08/2005 | 206407 | 1 | 12/23/2003 |
| Clutch explode going down the highway and locked truck in gear and fragments went thought the bell housing. could have hit other autos on hghway or could have sent fragment into cab of truck and injured or killed driver. | |||
| TIRES | |||
| 01/12/2008 | 1 | ||
| 2004 freightliner columbia conventional tire blow out. consumer stated that when the tire blew out it caused the second trailer to hit a guardrail in two locations. *kb ohio traffic crash report # 10-0013-89. *jb | |||
Car dealers selling
| State | City | Zip | Name | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ID | TWIN FALLS | 83301 | TWIN FALLS TRUCK | 208-733-7035 |