ENGINE
2008 CATERPILLAR ACERT C13 CRANKCASE BREATHER FILTER CLOGGED BECAUSE OF DESIGN. CAUSED TRUCK TO SHUT DOWN IN TRAFFIC CREATING A SAFETY INCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10555060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Freightliner Columbia engine problems
32 of the 110 complaints filed about the Freightliner Columbia are about the engine — 29% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2004.
32
Complaints
29%
Share of all complaints
1
Crashes
2
Fires
Engine & Cooling complaints by model year
What owners said
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
2008 CAT C15 ACERT ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. WE HAVE 3 OF THESE UNITS IN CLASS 8 TRUCKS ALL HAVE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE EXHAUST TREATMENT SYSTEM ALL HAVE BEEN IN FOR REPAIR MANY TIMES. WHEN THE SYSTEM FAILS THE ENGINE DERATES POWER CAUSING A TRAFFIC PROBLEM DUE TO SLOW MOVING VEHICLE ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, SOON AFTER IT DERATES THE ENGINE WILL SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY AGAIN A SAFETY ISSUE WITH A STALLED CLASS 8 VEHICLE STOPPED ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY.
NHTSA complaint #10348226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA. UPON ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STARTER AND POWER STEERING PUMP IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 413,238.
NHTSA complaint #10320468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE CARBON MONOXIDE IN MY 2006 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA WITH A MERCEDES MOTOR. I HAVE BLACK SOOT THAT IS IN MY VENTS ALL THE TIME, I HAVE CONSTANT HEADACHES WHEN IN THE TRUCK AND AM TIRED, ALONG WITH OTHER THINGS.
NHTSA complaint #10276952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA. PRIOR TO DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED AN OIL LEAK, COOLANT LEAK, INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAK, AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY 15 TIMES FOR ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO LEAKS AND OTHER ENGINE WORK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKET TWICE, THE ACM SCREW, THE HEAD GASKET FOUR TIMES, THE EGR VALVE, AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 357,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,014.
NHTSA complaint #10235968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2003 Freightliner Columbia
Randolph, NE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
EXHAUST FUMES COMING INTO CAB, CAUSING DIZZINESS, BURNING EYES, AND STUFFY AND BURNING SENSATION IN NOSE AND ON SKIN. I HAVE HAD ALL EXHAUST MANIFOLDS AND GASKETS REPLACED AND I STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM. I FINALLY WENT TO THE INTERNET TO SEE IF THERE WAS SOMETHING I COULD DO TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND FOUND OUT THAT OTHER DRIVERS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE. THE TRUCK THAT I OWN AND DRIVE IS A FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA WITH SERIES 60 DETROIT ENGINE. I AM GOING TO TAKE A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR ALONG ON MY NEXT TRIP TO SEE IF THERE IS A PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10226335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
A DRIVER FOR OUR COMPANY WAS OPERATING A 2007 FREIGHTLINER CL 112 TRACTOR WITH 50,000 MILES EQUIPPED WITH A MERCEDES BENZ (MBE4000) WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE. UNIT WAS BEING DRIVEN UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS WHEN SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING IN THE CAB. DRIVER PULLED THE TRUCK TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND FLAMES WERE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. DRIVER TRIED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER BUT WAS UNABLE TO CONTAIN IT. THE FIRE DEPT WAS CALLED AND DID PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE TRACTOR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. AT THIS TIME NO CAUSE FOR THE FIRE HAS BEEN DETERMINED.
NHTSA complaint #10204654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING THE CAB OF A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10182468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
I AM A COMPANY DRIVER AND HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING OF EXHAUST FUMES IN THE TRUCK. I HAVE BEEN SLEEPING MUCH MORE THAN NORMAL 12 - 14 HRS A DAY NOW, WAKE UP SLOW WITH SICK FEELING AND VERY BAD HEADACHES. MY MEMORY AND CONCENTRATION HAVE BECOME DIMINISHED, ALONG WITH A RISE IN BLOOD PRESSURE.
NHTSA complaint #10182470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
GETTING HEADACHES, BURNING EYES, TIRED ALL THE TIME. SUSPECT EXHAUST FUMES COMING INTO CAB THROUGH AIR VENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10178605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
I AM A COMPANY DRIVER, GOT IN THIS TRUCK IN FEB OF 2006, CAN SMELL FUMES COMING INTO CAB, AIR COND VENTS, HAVING HEADACHES, EYES BURNING, WENT TO DOCTOR IN JUNE OF 2006, HE SAID MY BLOOD PRESSURE WAS 200/110. NEVER HAVE HAD PROBLEMS BEFORE. DON'T SMOKE OR DRINK. WHEN I GET OUT OF TRUCK FOR A FEW DAYS START TO FEEL BETTER, BUT WHEN I GET BACK IN, THE SAME THING ALL OVER AGAIN. I AM NOW SPITTING UP A LITTLE BIT OF FLEM. WHY ARE THE FUMES COMING INTO MY CAB, THRU THE AIR COND VENTS, HAVE TALKED TO OTHER DRIVERS WITH SAME PROBLEM. WHY AREN'T DRIVERS TOLD ABOUT THIS? THIS IS DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #10177205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
BEEN DRIVING THIS TRUCK NOW ALMOST 3 MONTHS, GETTING BURNING EYES, HEADACHES, TIRED ALL THE TIME,BLOOD PRESSURE GOING UP, JOINT PROBLEMS, VOMITING. PUT FACE UP TO AIR CONDITION VENT MAKES ME DIZZY, EYES BURNING, FUMES COMING THROUGH THE AIR CONDITION VENTS. HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MEMORY, HAVING PROBLEMS WAKING UP, NEVER HAD THESE PROBLEMS BEFORE.
NHTSA complaint #10174572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING CAN SMELL EXHAUST FUMES FUMES COMING INTO CAB THROUGH AIR VENTS,WIFE GETTING ILL AN BURNING EYES, HARD TO BREATH,HEADACHES,TIRED ALL THE TIME, ALSO OTHER DRIVER GETTING ILL, ONLY BEEN IN THIS FREIGHTLINER 2 MONTHS, WITH DETROIT. AFTER 10 TO 12 HRS OF SLEEPING, IT ONLY TAKES ABOUT 4 HRS BEHIND THE WHEEL START GETTING TIRED AGAIN, SOMETHINGS NOT RIGHT, THIS ISN'T SAFE, HOW COME DRIVERS AREN'T BEING TOLD ABOUT THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10172048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
2005 Freightliner Columbia
Blue Springs, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING EYES START TO BURN, STARTED GETTING TIRED AFTER 4 HOURS, FUMES COMING FROM AIR CONDITION VENTS, WHILE AIR CONDITION WAS ON, ALSO FILM ON WINDOWS. I DON'T SMOKE. SUSPECT EXHAUST FUMES. ALSO WITH COTTON SWAB COULD PICK UP SOOT DEPOSITS ON AIR VENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10168570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2005 Freightliner Columbia
Blue Springs, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING EYES START TO BURN, STARTED GETTING TIRED AFTER 4 HOURS, FUMES COMING FROM AIR CONDITION VENTS, WHILE AIR CONDITION WAS ON, ALSO FILM ON WINDOWS. I DON'T SMOKE. SUSPECT EXHAUST FUMES. ALSO WITH COTTON SWAB COULD PICK UP SOOT DEPOSITS ON AIR VENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10168570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.