Freightliner Classic XL Recalls & Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA lists 13 safety recalls and 0 owner complaints across 10 model years of the Freightliner Classic XL (2000–2011).
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All Freightliner Classic XL recalls (13)
Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Freightliner Classic XL, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.
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Exterior lighting
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2006-2020 Freightliner Columbia, 2006-2021 Freightliner Business Class M2, 2007-2020 Freightliner Coronado, 2014-2021 Freightliner 122 SD, 2007 Sterling A 9500, 2006 Freightliner Argosy, 2006-2007 Sterling AT9500, 2008-2021 Freightliner Cascadia, 2006-2008 Freightliner…
Remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and reposition the reflective tape to ensure that it is completely visible, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 29, 2020. Owners may contact DTNA…
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Reservoir/tank (service brakes)
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…
Remedy: 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…
Model years: 2010
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Rack and pinion (steering)
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.…
Remedy: 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…
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Pedals and linkages (service brakes)
On certain trucks, the jam nuts on the brake pushrod between the pedal and the brake valve may not have been tightened. These nuts secure the adjustment of the brake pedal pushrod.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and correct the brake pedal pushrod assembly. The recall began on february 19, 2008. Owners may contact dtna at 1-800-547-0712.
Model years: 2008
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Shaft sector (steering)
On certain trucks equipped with trw steering gears, models tas85 and rcs85, these steering gears contain potentially defective sector shafts with an incorrect gear tooth which may interfere with the rack-piston teeth, resulting in a stick or bind condition.
Remedy: Freightliner is working with trw to replace the defective steering gear (please see 07e101). The recall began on april 18, 2008. Owners may contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.
Model years: 2008
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Fifth wheel assembly (trailer hitches)
On certain truck-tractors equipped with holland simplex se or se ii fifth wheels, the latch lever pivot bolt assembly may have been over-tightened which could distort the pivot bolt spacer sleeve. Corrosion or contaminates in the pivot may cause it to bind and prevent the fifth wheel jaw from latching securely around the trailer king pin.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the pivot bolt and sleeve with a hex head shoulder bolt and washer. The recall began on january 3, 2008. Owners may contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.
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Tie rod assembly (steering)
On certain trucks equipped with rack and pinion steering, the ball socket assembly at the inner end of the driver side tie rod may be damaged in a sharp turn. Excessive tie rod angles may loosen the tie rod in the ball socket or damage the threaded tie rod socket attachment to the steering rack on the driver side. The threaded end of…
Remedy: Dealers will change the front axle steering stops to prevent interference in the tie rod ball socket assembly and steering components will be replaced free of charge. The recall began on july 8, 2008, and will be…
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Tie rod assembly (steering)
On certain trucks equipped with rack and pinion steering, the tie rod arms may have been incorrectly installed. The threaded end of the ball socket assembly may fracture and separate.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for installation of the steering arms. Steering components will be replaced on trucks that have incorrectly installed tie rod arms. The recall began on may 1, 2008. Owner may contact freightliner…
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Delivery (fuel system)
On certain trucks, a manufacturing error in the fuel-water separator preheater thermoswitch may prevent the fuel preheater from turning off if the ignition is left on. If the ignition switch is left on when fuel is added to the fuel- water separator at the factory or during a filter element change, a small flame may occur inside the…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fuel filter date code and thermoswitch lot code to determine if they contain the suspect component free of charge. The recall began on october 4, 2007. Owners may contact freightliner at…
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Steering
Freightliner is recalling certain school bus chassis, heavy trucks, van chassis, rv motorhome chassis manufactured from january 5 to may 17, 2007, equipped with axle alliance company (aac) front axles. During the front axle assembly, the fasteners that attach the steering arm or tie rod arms to the spindle may be over or under tightened.
Remedy: Thomas built will notify owners, inspect the fasteners, and replace the steering arm if necessary. The recall began on december 21, 2007. Owners can contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.
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Check valve (service brakes)
Certain freightliner school bus chassis, heavy trucks, and thomas built school buses manufactured between july 2002 and july 3, 2007, equipped with bendix sr-7 spring brake control valves. The parker scv brass 90 degree single check valves (scv) which attach to the supply port of a bendix sr-7 spring brake modulating valve can break…
Remedy: Freightliner will notify owners and repair the vehicles free of charge. The recall began on january 11, 2008 to freightliner, sterling, and freightliner custom chassis owners; to thomas built bus owners on february 1,…
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Engine and engine cooling
On certain trucks equipped with caterpillar diesel engines, the variable valve actuation oil line may wear against the sharp edge of the cylinder head if not positioned correctly.
Remedy: Caterpillar, in conjunction with freightliner, will be conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign free of charge. Owners may call caterpillar at 309-675-6496, or freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.
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Fifth wheel assembly (trailer hitches)
On certain truck tractors equipped with jost international jsk 37u series fifth wheels, a fatigue crack can develop in the bracket pin weld under certain loading conditions.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the bracket pins and repair instructions free of charge. Owner notification began november 12, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not…
Model years: 2000
Other Freightliner models
- Cascadia253 complaints
- Freightliner135 complaints
- Columbia96 complaints
- Conventional76 complaints
- Business Class M254 complaints
- Century53 complaints
- Sprinter 250049 complaints
- FL-7037 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.