Owners have filed 21 complaints
about the 2002 Freightliner Freightliner with NHTSA between 2002 and 2010.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 6 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 — 47
Against the median year of the Freightliner Freightliner. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 25
4.8% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
78% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2002 compares with every other Freightliner Freightliner
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2002 Freightliner Freightliner
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
628.6%
Median failure at 15,000 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
419.0%
Tires
314.3%
Median failure at 114,232 miles
Electrical System
314.3%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 79,000 mi
Body & Structure
29.5%
Median failure at 1,900 miles
Doors, Latches & Locks
14.8%
Seats
14.8%
Engine & Cooling
14.8%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
222.2%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
555.6%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
111.1%
150,000+ miles
111.1%
When owners complained
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.
Mar 2002peak 6Oct 2010
NHTSA investigations into the 2002 Freightliner Freightliner
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.
PE02061Opened 7 Aug 2002Closed 11 Dec 2002SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS TONE RING CORRODES CAUSING UNINTENDE
ODI INITIATED PE02-061 BASED ON TWO REPORTED INCIDENTS IN WHICH FREIGHTLINER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH INTEGRAL ABS TONE RINGS HAD EXPERIENCED INCREASED VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE.INTEGRAL TONE RINGS INCORPORATE THE ABS TONE RING INTO THE BRAKE ROTOR TO FORM A ONE-PIECE INTEGRATED COMONENT.FREIGHTLINER HAS IDENTIFIED 266 WARRANTY CLAIMS FOR CORRODED ROTORS.SINCE THE ABS TONE RING IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE ROTOR IN THE AFFECTED FREIGHTLINER VEHICLES, CORRODED ROTOR SENSOR TEETH MAY COMPROMISE THE QUAILITY OF THE ABS TONE RING SIGNAL TO THE ABS ECU.A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF FREIGHTINE...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Pittsburgh, PAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
A FIRE STARTED IN THE TRAILER CONTROL MODULE. VEHICLE WAS A 2002 FREIGHTLINER M2.
NHTSA complaint #10007214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Sandusky, OH
TIRES
2002 FREIGHTLINER SEMI TIRE CAME OFF AND TWO OTHER VEHICLES STUCK THE TIRE. *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0598-90)
NHTSA complaint #10363108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,000 milesCoal Valley, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
2002 FREIGHTLINER BUS ENGINE QUIT GOING DOWN HUGE HILL/SMALL MOUNTAIN IN TENNESSEE CAUSING BRAKES TO FAIL. FREE WHEELED DOWN MOUNTAIN, TAKING EXIT, RUNNING STOP LIGHT AND ALMOST CAUSING CRASH WITH 30 PAX ON BOARD. ELECTRICAL WIRE FROM FACTORY LOOSE AND CORRODED.
NHTSA complaint #10130073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 206,000 milesPlantation, FL
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
GOODYEAR G328, SIZE 295/75R/22.5 THIS TIRE HAD A LUG PATTERN. ALSO, IT CAUSED LATERAL SWAYING. OWNER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, AND VEHICLE BECAME TOTALLY UNSTABLE. OWNER REPORTED THIS DEFECT TO THE MOTOR POOL AT FED-X, BUT WAS TOLD TO DEAL WITH IT.
NHTSA complaint #10111605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesBoca Raton, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
CONSUMER DRIVES A FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER AND THE BRAKE WEAR INDICATOR LIGHT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. CONSUMER HAS TO REPLACE THE PADS AND ROTORS FOR THE FRONT AND REAR AXLES TWICE. DEALER CLAIMS THAT THIS IS NORMAL WEAR FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. ALSO THE PADS ARE THE WRONG SIZE.
NHTSA complaint #10063589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesBoca Raton, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
CONSUMER DRIVES A FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER AND THE BRAKE WEAR INDICATOR LIGHT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. CONSUMER HAS TO REPLACE THE PADS AND ROTORS FOR THE FRONT AND REAR AXLES TWICE. DEALER CLAIMS THAT THIS IS NORMAL WEAR FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. ALSO THE PADS ARE THE WRONG SIZE.
NHTSA complaint #10063589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesBoca Raton, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE PADS AND ROTORS FOR THE REAR AND FRONT BRAKES. DEALER CLAIMED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL WEAR FOR THIS VEHICLE, BUT THE BRAKE PADS WERE NOT THE PROPER SIZE.
NHTSA complaint #10061675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesBoca Raton, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE PADS AND ROTORS FOR THE REAR AND FRONT BRAKES. DEALER CLAIMED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL WEAR FOR THIS VEHICLE, BUT THE BRAKE PADS WERE NOT THE PROPER SIZE.
NHTSA complaint #10061675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 22,465 milesMilledgeville, GA
TIRES:SIDEWALL
TIRE SIDEWALL BLEW OUT. *PH THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OTHER MOTOR HOME OWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. FREIGHTLINER AND MICHELIN ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. (XC CHASSIS)
NHTSA complaint #10059390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,000 milesPerrineville, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
EXCESSIVE BRAKE FADE IN ALFA SEE YA COACH EQUIPPED WITH FREIGHTLINER XC CHASSIS WHICH RESULTS IN THE UNIT BEING VERY HARD TO STOP AND NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. THE UNIT HAS BEEN SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES AS WELL AS A COMPLETE BRAKE JOB BEING DONE AND THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS.
NHTSA complaint #10058777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Henderson, NV
SEATS
CONSUMER NEEDS INFORMATION ON WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO FIX A PROBLEM IN REGARDS OF THE VAN'S SEAT. *LA IN RE: VIN#[XXX], THE BACK DOOR DID NOT CLOSE AND THE KEY REMOTE LOCK WAS INOPERATIVE, THE MIRRORS VIBRATED. IN RE: VIN#[XXX], THE VEHICLE WAS DEAD EVERY MORNING. IN RE: VIN#[XXX], THE DOOR LOCKS WERE SLOW TO OPEN WITH THE REMOTE (TWICE) AND THE SLIDING DOOR FELL OFF. THERE WAS ALSO AN A/C PROBLEM. *SC *JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10053586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Henderson, NV
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
CONSUMER NEEDS INFORMATION ON WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO FIX A PROBLEM IN REGARDS OF THE VAN'S SEAT. *LA IN RE: VIN#[XXX], THE BACK DOOR DID NOT CLOSE AND THE KEY REMOTE LOCK WAS INOPERATIVE, THE MIRRORS VIBRATED. IN RE: VIN#[XXX], THE VEHICLE WAS DEAD EVERY MORNING. IN RE: VIN#[XXX], THE DOOR LOCKS WERE SLOW TO OPEN WITH THE REMOTE (TWICE) AND THE SLIDING DOOR FELL OFF. THERE WAS ALSO AN A/C PROBLEM. *SC *JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10053586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Henderson, NV
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
CONSUMER NEEDS INFORMATION ON WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO FIX A PROBLEM IN REGARDS OF THE VAN'S SEAT. *LA IN RE: VIN#[XXX], THE BACK DOOR DID NOT CLOSE AND THE KEY REMOTE LOCK WAS INOPERATIVE, THE MIRRORS VIBRATED. IN RE: VIN#[XXX], THE VEHICLE WAS DEAD EVERY MORNING. IN RE: VIN#[XXX], THE DOOR LOCKS WERE SLOW TO OPEN WITH THE REMOTE (TWICE) AND THE SLIDING DOOR FELL OFF. THERE WAS ALSO AN A/C PROBLEM. *SC *JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10053586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Henderson, NV
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONSUMER NEEDS INFORMATION ON WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO FIX A PROBLEM IN REGARDS OF THE VAN'S SEAT. *LA IN RE: VIN#[XXX], THE BACK DOOR DID NOT CLOSE AND THE KEY REMOTE LOCK WAS INOPERATIVE, THE MIRRORS VIBRATED. IN RE: VIN#[XXX], THE VEHICLE WAS DEAD EVERY MORNING. IN RE: VIN#[XXX], THE DOOR LOCKS WERE SLOW TO OPEN WITH THE REMOTE (TWICE) AND THE SLIDING DOOR FELL OFF. THERE WAS ALSO AN A/C PROBLEM. *SC *JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10053586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Henderson, NV
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CONSUMER NEEDS INFORMATION ON WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO FIX A PROBLEM IN REGARDS OF THE VAN'S SEAT. *LA IN RE: VIN#[XXX], THE BACK DOOR DID NOT CLOSE AND THE KEY REMOTE LOCK WAS INOPERATIVE, THE MIRRORS VIBRATED. IN RE: VIN#[XXX], THE VEHICLE WAS DEAD EVERY MORNING. IN RE: VIN#[XXX], THE DOOR LOCKS WERE SLOW TO OPEN WITH THE REMOTE (TWICE) AND THE SLIDING DOOR FELL OFF. THERE WAS ALSO AN A/C PROBLEM. *SC *JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10053586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Henderson, NV
VISIBILITY
CONSUMER NEEDS INFORMATION ON WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO FIX A PROBLEM IN REGARDS OF THE VAN'S SEAT. *LA IN RE: VIN#[XXX], THE BACK DOOR DID NOT CLOSE AND THE KEY REMOTE LOCK WAS INOPERATIVE, THE MIRRORS VIBRATED. IN RE: VIN#[XXX], THE VEHICLE WAS DEAD EVERY MORNING. IN RE: VIN#[XXX], THE DOOR LOCKS WERE SLOW TO OPEN WITH THE REMOTE (TWICE) AND THE SLIDING DOOR FELL OFF. THERE WAS ALSO AN A/C PROBLEM. *SC *JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10053586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chandler, AZ
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 38 FOOT ALFA CYA CLASS A MOTOR HOME, MY DRIVERS SIDE POWER OPERATED VISOR FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE BLACK COLORED (BLACKOUT MATERIAL) BLIND TO FREE SPIN FROM THE ASSEMBLY AND FALL VERTICALLY DOWN TO A FULLY EXTENDED OPEN POSITION BLOCKING MY DRIVERS VIEW OF THE HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH. THIS NEARLY CAUSED A MAJOR MULTIPLE VEHICLE COLLISION ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. I HAD PREVIOUSLY REPORTED THE FAULTY POWER SHADE TO THE MANUFACTURER ALFA LEISURE SPECIFICALLY STEVE WISHEK ALFAS VP, AND THE SELLING DEALER EARNHARDT RV CENTER SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN MESA ARIZONA (AN AUTHORIZED ALFA LEISURE DEALER) SHORTLY AFTER THE UNIT WAS PURCHASED. BOTH COMPANIES STATED THEY WERE NOT REPLACING/REPAIRING THE SHADE AND REFUSED TO DISCUSS THE REPLACEMENT OF IT BECAUSE THEY STATED NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE DEVICE. I ALSO REQUESTED THAT THE SHADE BE REPAIR/REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURERS EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY, MBA OF SCOTTSDALE ARIZONA, WHO ALSO REFUSED TO REPAIR/REPLACE SAID DEVICE AFTER HAVING SEVERAL PHONE CALLS WITH ALFA LEISURE AND SENDING AN ADJUSTER OUT TO LOOK AT THE DEVICE ALFA LEISURE'S VICE PRESIDENT STEVE WISHEK, WHOM I SPOKE TO PERSONALLY DURING THIS INITIAL FAILURE, WAS RELUCTANT TO GET INVOLVED AND REFUSED OFFERING TO REPAIR/REPLACE THIS SHADE. SEVERAL OTHER ITEMS WERE IN NEED OF REPAIR AT THIS INITIAL REPORTING, BUT THIS DEVICE WAS NEVER REPLACED OR REPLACED. THIS LATEST FAILURE WAS THE THIRD TIME I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS POWER SHADE, WITH THE OTHER TWO FAILURES CAUSING THE SHADE ONLY TO STICK IN THE CLOSED POSITION. THE PASSENGER SIDE SHADE ALSO FAILED AT A LETER DATE, BUT IN THE CLOSED POSITION. I AM REPORTING THIS DUE TO DANGEROUS POTENTIAL OF DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY TO OTHER OWNERS OF ALFA LEISURE CYA MOTOR-HOMES AND OTHER DRIVERS WHO MAY GET HIT WITH A 30,000 POUND MOTOR-HOME, SHOULD THE DRIVER LOSE CONTROL OF HIS VEHICLE DURING A FAILURE LIKE MINE.
NHTSA complaint #10025352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chandler, AZ
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 38 FOOT ALFA CYA CLASS A MOTOR HOME, MY DRIVERS SIDE POWER OPERATED VISOR FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE BLACK COLORED (BLACKOUT MATERIAL) BLIND TO FREE SPIN FROM THE ASSEMBLY AND FALL VERTICALLY DOWN TO A FULLY EXTENDED OPEN POSITION BLOCKING MY DRIVERS VIEW OF THE HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH. THIS NEARLY CAUSED A MAJOR MULTIPLE VEHICLE COLLISION ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. I HAD PREVIOUSLY REPORTED THE FAULTY POWER SHADE TO THE MANUFACTURER ALFA LEISURE SPECIFICALLY STEVE WISHEK ALFAS VP, AND THE SELLING DEALER EARNHARDT RV CENTER SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN MESA ARIZONA (AN AUTHORIZED ALFA LEISURE DEALER) SHORTLY AFTER THE UNIT WAS PURCHASED. BOTH COMPANIES STATED THEY WERE NOT REPLACING/REPAIRING THE SHADE AND REFUSED TO DISCUSS THE REPLACEMENT OF IT BECAUSE THEY STATED NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE DEVICE. I ALSO REQUESTED THAT THE SHADE BE REPAIR/REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURERS EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY, MBA OF SCOTTSDALE ARIZONA, WHO ALSO REFUSED TO REPAIR/REPLACE SAID DEVICE AFTER HAVING SEVERAL PHONE CALLS WITH ALFA LEISURE AND SENDING AN ADJUSTER OUT TO LOOK AT THE DEVICE ALFA LEISURE'S VICE PRESIDENT STEVE WISHEK, WHOM I SPOKE TO PERSONALLY DURING THIS INITIAL FAILURE, WAS RELUCTANT TO GET INVOLVED AND REFUSED OFFERING TO REPAIR/REPLACE THIS SHADE. SEVERAL OTHER ITEMS WERE IN NEED OF REPAIR AT THIS INITIAL REPORTING, BUT THIS DEVICE WAS NEVER REPLACED OR REPLACED. THIS LATEST FAILURE WAS THE THIRD TIME I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS POWER SHADE, WITH THE OTHER TWO FAILURES CAUSING THE SHADE ONLY TO STICK IN THE CLOSED POSITION. I AM REPORTING THIS DUE TO DANGEROUS POTENTIAL OF DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY TO OTHER OWNERS OF ALFA LEISURE CYA MOTOR-HOMES AND OTHER DRIVERS WHO MAY GET HIT WITH A 30,000 POUND MOTOR-HOME, SHOULD THE DRIVER LOSE CONTROL OF HIS VEHICLE DURING A FAILURE LIKE MINE.
NHTSA complaint #10025390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,900 milesNaples, FL
STRUCTURE
THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO TURN SAFELY, BECAUSE IT HAD A LESS THAN 50 DEGREE WHEEL CUT. *JB THE CONSUMER HAS TO BACK UP INTO TRAFFIC WHEN SHE IS UNABLE TO NAVIGATE INTO TURNS SAFELY. SCC
NHTSA complaint #10015962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburgh, PAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
A FIRE STARTED IN THE TRAILER CONTROL MODULE. VEHICLE WAS A 2002 FREIGHTLINER M2.
NHTSA complaint #10007214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cleveland, OH
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING
2002 SPRINTER MADE BY DAIMLER-CHYRSLER. WE BOUGHT 6 OF THESE VANS AND TWO OF THEM HAVE HAD THE CONTROL ARM FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BREAK OFF AT THE STEERING COLUMN. FRIEGHTLINER(AKA DAIMLER-CHRYLSER) SAY THAT IT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE, BUT THAT WAS BECAUSE PEOPLE THOUGHT IT WAS THE GEAR SHIFT. WELL, I AM SORRY, THIS CONFUSION HAPPENS IN MANY CARS, BUT THE CONTROL ARM DOESN'T JUST BREAK OFF. POOR DESIGN OR MATERIALS. THIS HUMAN BEHAVIOR WILL NOT CHANGE, THIS ARM SHOULD BE STRONG ENOUGH TO HANDLE THIS OCCASSIONAL CONFUSION. THIS,HOWEVER, WAS NOT THE CASE WITH OUR TWO VEHICLES PURCHASED IN AUG, 2002.
NHTSA complaint #10002722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbus, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
RF BRAKE HOSE RUBBED WHEEL. IT APPEARS BOTH FRONT BRAKE HOSES NEED TIE DOWNS INSTALLED TO PREVENT HOSE FROM RUBBING WHEELS.
NHTSA complaint #759663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.