FaultScore

Worst years for a Freightliner Columbia

Owners have filed 110 complaints about the Freightliner Columbia with NHTSA across model years 2000 to 2010. More of them are about the engine & cooling than anything else.

Avoid

2005 Freightliner Columbia

44 complaints — the highest FaultScore of any year, mostly transmission & drivetrain.

Cleanest on record

2007 Freightliner Columbia

12 complaints — the lowest FaultScore of the graded years.

Every Freightliner Columbia year, graded

The grade compares each year against the rest of this model's own run — never against another car. Click any bar or row to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded
Year Grade Complaints Crashes Fires Median miles Most reported
2010 1 0 0 Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
2009 3 0 0 Brakes
2008 1 0 0 Engine & Cooling
2007 C 12 0 1 50,000 Engine & Cooling
2006 C 16 1 2 270,000 Engine & Cooling
2005 D 44 1 2 167,039 Transmission & Drivetrain
2004 C 14 2 2 247,072 Engine & Cooling
2003 C 12 0 0 Engine & Cooling
2002 2 1 1 Steering
2001 4 2 0 Steering
2000 1 1 0 Seat Belts

What breaks on a Freightliner Columbia

Across every model year on file. Follow a row for that part's complaints and the year it was worst.

Engine & Cooling 32 29.1%

Worst in 2004

Worst in 2005

Body & Structure 7 6.4%

Worst in 2003

Brakes 6 5.5%

Worst in 2006

Electrical System 5 4.5%

Worst in 2005

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 5 4.5%

Worst in 2007

Tires 5 4.5%

Worst in 2005

Wheels 4 3.6%

Worst in 2005

Equipment & Accessories 4 3.6%

Worst in 2007

Steering 3 2.7%

Worst in 2001

Suspension 3 2.7%

Worst in 2005

Lights 3 2.7%

Worst in 2003

Fuel & Propulsion 3 2.7%

Worst in 2002

Seat Belts 2 1.8%

Worst in 2006

Exactly what failed on a Freightliner Columbia

The named sub-assemblies behind those complaints, across every model year.

Clutch Assembly 19 31.7%
Exhaust System 16 26.7%
Bell Housing 7 11.7%
Emission Control 3 5.0%
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 3 5.0%
Engine 3 5.0%
GAS Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) 3 5.0%
Gear BOX (Other Than Rack AND Pinion) 2 3.3%
Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs 2 3.3%
Windshield Wiper/Washer 2 3.3%

Complaints filed over time

Every complaint about every Freightliner Columbia, by the month it reached NHTSA.

Nov 2000 peak 15 Apr 2014

Compare the Freightliner Columbia

Side by side on complaint history. Remember that raw totals track how many were sold as much as how good they were.