Owners have filed 14 complaints
about the 2004 Freightliner Columbia with NHTSA between 2004 and 2008.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 5 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 36
Against the median year of the Freightliner Columbia. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
85.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2004 compares with every other Freightliner Columbia
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 2004peak 2Oct 2008
NHTSA investigations into the 2004 Freightliner Columbia
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE06033Opened 30 Aug 2006Closed 30 Jan 2007STEERING:COLUMN
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 WE...
Recalls on the 2004 Freightliner Columbia
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2019237110 units in Canada
Brakes
Issue: Certain trucks were built with air reservoir tanks that are too small in relation to the size of the air brake chambers. Canadian regulations require enough air reservoir capacity to ensure the brakes work even with heavy use or when there is a partial loss of the air system. Safety Risk: Reduced braking could cause extended stopping distances and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their truck to a Daimler Trucks North America authorized service facility to modify the truck to ensure it meets Canadian regulations.
Recall 201134512,000 units in Canada
Fuel System
On certain trucks, the plastic low-pressure fuel line between the engine-mounted fuel filter and the engine block may develop a diesel fuel leak. The location of the leak is unlikely to result in a vehicle fire; however, diesel fuel spilt on the roadway could endanger other road users by making the roadway unexpectedly slippery. This could ultimately result in a vehicle crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the plastic low-pressure fuel line with a steel version.
Recall 20092705,647 units in Canada
Engine
On certain vehicles equipped with a Caterpillar C15 engine, the Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) oil line may wear against the P-clip retaining the oil line. An oil leak could result in a vehicle fire causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Caterpillar dealers will replace the VVA oil line with an updated version.
Recall 200723118,536 units in Canada
Brakes
On certain vehicles, the internal rubber check valve inside the Bendix SR-7 spring brake modulating valve can become deformed over time. The effect of this defect is intermittent and presents a potential delay or failure in applying the parking brakes; potentially resulting in a vehicle roll away. Should this occur, the unattended roll away vehicle could strike a bystander or cause property damage. Correction: Dealers will install a check valve repair kit.
Recall 2006084108 units in Canada
Suspension
On certain vehicles, the rear suspension transverse beam castings were not made to specifications. If a casting were to break when the vehicle is in motion, parts could become projectiles with potential to cause property damage, personal injury or death. Also, the transverse beam may drop down low enough to contact the road surface causing sparks that could ignite a fire. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transverse beams.
Recall 20060341,201 units in Canada
Engine
On certain vehicles equipped with a Caterpillar engine, the Variable Valve Actuation oil line (VVA line) used on 6 cylinder, 15L turbocharged and air-to-air aftercooled diesel engines may wear against the sharp edge of the cylinder head if not oriented correctly. Oil line wear may cause an oil leak and a potential fire hazard. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if required, replace the VVA line.
Recall 2006009361 units in Canada
Steering
On certain vehicles, the steering wheel was manufactured with incorrect length Huck fasteners that are too short to allow proper retaining collar engagement. Steering wheel separation will result in a loss of steering control, possibly resulting in a crash. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if required, repair or replace the steering wheel.
Recall 2005266324 units in Canada
Steering
On certain vehicles, the front hubs may fracture and allow the wheel assembly to separate from the vehicle. This could cause a crash without prior warning. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if required, replace the hubs.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Spartanburg, SCCrashFire1 injured1 killed
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10244649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Royalton, OHCrash
TIRES
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.
NHTSA complaint #10218370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ypsilanti, MIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
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
NHTSA complaint #10201486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 295,400 milesCorry, PA1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
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!!!!
NHTSA complaint #10173131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 300,000 milesFremont, NE1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10159539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 300,000 milesFremont, NE1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10159540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Spartanburg, SCCrashFire1 injured1 killed
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10244649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Royalton, OHCrash
TIRES
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.
NHTSA complaint #10218370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ypsilanti, MIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
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
NHTSA complaint #10201486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 295,400 milesCorry, PA1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
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!!!!
NHTSA complaint #10173131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 287,737 milesCorry, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10171541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 300,000 milesFremont, NE1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10159539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 300,000 milesFremont, NE1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10159540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesSUN City, CA2 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10141936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesSUN City, CA2 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
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.
NHTSA complaint #10141936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 185,011 milesGooding, ID
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
CLUTCH WAS HARD TO RELEASE, CHECK AND FOUND CLUTCH WAS COMING APART. REPLACE CLUTCH,EVERYTHING WORKS FINE NOW.
NHTSA complaint #10135556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 206,407 milesGooding, ID
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
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.
NHTSA complaint #10129598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palm Coast, FL1 killed
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10065987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pending, DC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING CAB ON A REGULAR BASIS WHICH WAS CAUSING ILLNESS.
NHTSA complaint #10060999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arkport, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10058310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.