2003 Freightliner Columbia problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System (3) · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control (2) · Tires (1)
Safety recalls (1)
Equipment 2017-12-15 · campaign 17V810000 · 24,860 vehicles
Defect: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2002-2017 Freightliner Cascadia, Century Class, Columbia and Coronado trucks and Western Star 4700, 4900, 5700, 5900 and 6900 trucks. These vehicles are equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers that may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach fr
Risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: DTNA will notify owners, and instruct them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on April 11, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712, or contact Kidde customer service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-759.
Service bulletins (167)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine And Engine Cooling 2021-04-30 · TechTalk566576K · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tech talk discussion on prototype or pre production dpf penske wanted to share.
Engine And Engine Cooling 2021-02-19 · 04TS-43REV4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
revised technical service letter for series 60 and series 50 camshaft timing specifications. camshaft timing, valve lash, injector height, and jake brake lash are all very important specifications that must be followed closely in order to optimize the performance and service life of any detroit dies
Power Train 2020-12-23 · SB35-036 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
revised freightliner service bulletin for axle flange gasket replaced with o-ring. revision removed steps instructing removal and installation of wheels. daimler trucks north america has released a new axle shaft to hub rubber o-ring (part number 11-30728-000) as a replacement for the paper gasket
Equipment 2020-10-27 · SB54-278 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
updated freightliner service bulletin for powernet troubleshooting guide - batteries, path, alternator, and starter. this bulletin replaces the version dated 5/31/2017. information is added about the bct-460dtna powernet assessment tool. when troubleshooting powernet issues, use the bct-460dtna powe
Power Train 2020-10-07 · SB35-036 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
freightliner service bulletin for axle flange gasket replaced with o-ring. daimler trucks north america has released a new axle shaft to hub rubber o-ring (part number 11-30728-000) as a replacement for the paper gasket (part number 11-14418-000). the new o-ring will provide better sealing and is re
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 2020-01-21 · 20TS-01 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service letter for ddc series 60 engines concerning series 60 cylinder head resurfacing/finish. detroit diesel does not recommend third party resurfacing of series 60 cylinder heads (outside of detroit and detroit reman).
Showing the 6 most recent of 167 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2011-06-01 · Tires“2005 freightliner conventional, unit 1 and 2 was traveling westbound on the ohio turnpike, when unit 1 right side trailer tire blew causing tire debris to strike unit 2. *bf (ohio traffic crash report# 10-0163-89)*jb…”
2008-04-30 · 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 th…”
2007-11-18 · Structure:body:hatchback/Liftgate:support Device/Strut“there are no hand holds on the driver's side exterior or interior to aid in entering or exiting the truck. i was injured because of this failure to provide handholds when i slipped of the top step while attempting to exit the vehicle. i have under gone surgery on my left knee from which i have not recovered, and will in the near future undergo sur…”
2006-10-28 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control · 633,461 mi“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, so…”
2005-06-03 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System“dt: fumes coming inside equipment through air vents of truck. the truck was taken to the dealer 3-4 different times and the problem was never fixed. these fumes caused headaches, nausea,burning eyes, and high blood pressure. now, diagnosed with copd. have talked to other drivers and same problems have occurred.*ak the vehicle was parked becaus…”
2003-11-12 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System“while driving the truck, the consumer would smell a rotten egg odor coming from the ventilation system. the owner has made contact with the dealership on five separate occasions and the problem still occurs. please provide any additional information. *ph…”
2003-10-29 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control · 30,000 mi“fumes coming into cab, 2003,freightliner,columbia,related egr valve leaking ents from dash. *ak…”
2003-08-12 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine“consumer states that while driving at any speed and with no warning vehicle will shut off, causing consumer to pull over. it will be hard to get the vehicle back started.dealer notified.*ak …”
2003-07-21 · Exterior Lighting:headlights · 42,136 mi“we recently purchased a group of 40 freightliner tractors in october 2002. tractors were built with an h7 low beam headlamp assembly. we have since had multiple failures of this style headlamp and have had several occasions when both headlamps burned out at the same time while driver was operationg vehicle in darkness. all data on this lamp that…”
2003-03-11 · Power Train:manual Transmission“the vehicle lost power, and locked in the gear it was in. *jb…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.