2005 Freightliner Columbia problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train:clutch Assembly (17) · Power Train:clutch Assembly:bell Housing (7) · Wheels:lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs (2)
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
31 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Service Brakes, Air:supply:reservoir/Tank 2019-05-14 · campaign 19V370000 · 741 vehicles
Defect: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2004-2019 Freightliner 108SD, 114SD, 122SD, Cascadia, Columbia, Classic, FL80, FLD 120SD, Business Class M2, Western Star 4700, 4900, 6900, Sterling Acterra, L7500, LT7500, L8500, LT8500, L9500, and LT9500 vehicles. The vehicles may have an insufficient service brake air reservoir capacity. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems."
Risk: An insufficient air reservoir volume may reduce brake effectiveness, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will add air reservoir capacity to the affected vehicles. Owner letters were mailed on November 29, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-815.
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.
Steering:rack And Pinion 2011-10-13 · campaign 11V514000 · 9,689 vehicles
Defect: DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA, COLUMBIA, CENTURY, CORONADO, AND CLASSIC XL TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 1, 2004, THROUGH JUNE 15, 2010 FOR THE RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM. THE LOWER PINION BEARING MAY CORRODE AND FAIL. A FAILED BEARING MAY LEAD TO DAMAGE OF THE SPOOL VALVE SEALS. A DAMAGE SPOOL VALVE SEAL MAY ALLOW HYDRAULIC FLUID TO FLOW TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT TURN PORT INSTEAD OF FLOWING TO THE RETURN PORT.
Risk: THE STEERING COULD UNEXPECTEDLY TURN LEFT OR RIGHT, MAKING THE VEHICLE MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL INSPECT THE LOWER BEARING FOR CORROSION. IF CORROSION IS FOUND, THE RACK AND PINION SYSTEM WILL BE REPLACED. IF NO CORROSION IS FOUND, ON THE BEARING, THE BEARING WILL BE PACKED WITH GREASE AND THE RUBBER BELLOWS WILL BE REPLACED WITH SEALANT ADDED BETWEEN THE BELLOWS AND THE RACK HOUSING. AN INTERIM LETTER WAS MAILED IN DECEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-547-0712.
Fuel System, Diesel 2011-09-16 · campaign 11V478000 · 73,500 vehicles
Defect: DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2008 HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 11, 2003, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 28, 2007, EQUIPPED WITH EPA04 MODEL MBE4000 ENGINES BUILT WITH PLASTIC LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINES AND FUEL FILTERS MOUNTED NEAR THE CENTER OF THE ENGINE ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE. THE PLASTIC LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINE BETWEEN ENGINE MOUNTED FUEL FILTER AND ENGINE BLOCK MAY DEVELOP A SUBSTANTIAL DIESEL FUEL LEAK.
Risk: THIS COULD CREATE A ROAD HAZARD INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED BY DETROIT DIESEL CORPORATION AUTHORIZED REPAIR FACILITIES. VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND THE PLASTIC LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A STEEL LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM LETTER WAS MAILED TO OWNERS ON OCTOBER 28, 2011. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 21, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.
Service bulletins (198)
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 2021-02-19 · 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).
Equipment 2019-09-08 · DOC-1034484 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical solution for finding bill of material
Showing the 6 most recent of 198 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2012-06-25 · Service Brakes · 106,222 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2005 freightliner columbia. the contact stated that the vehicle failed to stop when the brake was applied. a local mechanic inspected the vehicle. the mehcanic stated that the brake valve failed and was allowing air to escape. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and current mileages were 106,222. …”
2011-12-02 · Suspension“low pressure, erg valve, leakage, and the lost of power that the trunk cant be controlled. *tr…”
2011-06-29 · Tires“1990 freightliner columbia, unit 1 was traveling westbound on the ohio turnpike in the right lane when the right tire of the trailer suddenly came off the rim of the trailer. unit 1 came to final rest on the north side of the road. *bf the driver stated ever since the company switched to super single tires, everyone had been experiencing some t…”
2011-06-01 · Electrical System · 🔥 fire“2005 freightliner columbia, unit 1 noticed smoke from his trailer as he pulled away from the booth at exit 142. unit 1 pulled to the berm on the on the ramp and found the trailer was on fire. the tractor was disconnected from the trailer and pulled ahead . *bf (ohio traffic crash report # 10-0264-90)…”
2010-08-30 · Wheels:lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs“2005 freightliner columbia , suffered a mechanical failure with left rear drive axle dual assembly. *bf the assembly detached from the semi and crossed into the eastbound lanes. the bolts holding the tire on had completely sheared off. (oho traffic crash report # 10-0316-89) *jb updated 09/13/10*bf …”
2009-09-16 · Wheels:lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs“2005 freightliner columbia was stopping for a toll booth when both rear right wheels detached from the second rear axle. one tire broke the window of the toll building. *kb the lug nuts broke off on the right side second to the rear axle. ohio traffic crash report # 10-0752-91.…”
2007-10-24 · Electrical System · 193,000 mi · 🔥 fire“2005 freightliner columbia caught fire in the dashboard due to an electrical defect. *kb (ohiio traffic crash report)*jb…”
2006-09-18 · 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. *jb…”
2006-05-30 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe · 76,454 mi“i took possession of the vehicle in january 06 and have had the vehicle in the shop 4 times for aprrox 2 weeks each time for an exhaust leak in the cab of the vehicle and in the sleeping area the manufacturer of the vehicle stated that there were several vehicles with the same problem but did not have a 100% fix for it and the parts they were tryin…”
2006-03-23 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System · 180,759 mi“dt*: the contact stated while driving the vehicle, the contact's eyes and lungs burned. the vehicle has been to the dealership multiple times and it was determined the exhaust gas was leaking. the exhaust gasket and manifold bolts were replaced, but this has not corrected the problem. updated 5/16/2006 - *nm…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.