RecallMyCar

Freightliner Classic Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 14 owner complaints across 11 model years of the Freightliner Classic (1996–2008). The most-complained-about year is 2001.

9
safety recalls, all years
14
owner complaints, all years
2007
year with most recalls
2001
year with most complaints

Pick your Freightliner Classic model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
2008 Freightliner Classic50
2007 Freightliner Classic61
2006 Freightliner Classic41
2005 Freightliner Classic30
2004 Freightliner Classic20
2003 Freightliner Classic10
2001 Freightliner Classic06
2000 Freightliner Classic12
1999 Freightliner Classic01
1998 Freightliner Classic02
1996 Freightliner Classic01

What Freightliner Classic owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA. The 2001 model year has the most, with 6.

All Freightliner Classic recalls (9)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Freightliner Classic, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

  1. Fuel system, diesel

    NHTSA 08V113000 Reported 62,000 vehicles potentially affected DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA

    Daimler trucks is recalling 62,000 my 2005-2007 freightliner business class, century class, columbia, coronado, fld, classic, sterling a-line, l-line, and western star 4900 trucks. A fractured fuel line could leak diesel fuel.

    Remedy: High pressure fuel lines and transfer tubes will be inspected and replaced free of charged. The recall began on july 9, 2008. Owners may contact daimler trucks at 1-800-547-0712.

    Model years: 2005, 2006, 2007

  2. Shaft sector (steering)

    NHTSA 07V592000 Reported 220 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER LLC

    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

  3. Fifth wheel assembly (trailer hitches)

    NHTSA 07V530000 Reported 38,000 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER LLC

    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.

    Model years: 2006, 2007, 2008

  4. Delivery (fuel system)

    NHTSA 07V335000 Reported 4,299 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER LLC

    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…

    Model years: 2007, 2008

  5. Steering

    NHTSA 07V306000 Reported 18,000 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER LLC

    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.

    Model years: 2007, 2008

  6. Check valve (service brakes)

    NHTSA 07V302000 Reported 75,000 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER LLC

    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,…

    Model years: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

  7. Air (parking brake)

    NHTSA 06V205000 Reported 5,243 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER LLC

    Certain heavy trucks, shuttle buses, and school buses equipped with bendix modulated spring brake valves. A defect in the modulated spring brake valve casting may cause an intermittent delay in the application of the park brake.

    Remedy: Freightliner will notify owners and replace the defective valves free of charge. The recall began on june 28, 2006 to freightliner, sterling, and fccc owners. Thomas built mailed letters to owners beginning july 27,…

    Model years: 2007

  8. Engine and engine cooling

    NHTSA 06V030000 Reported 5,771 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER LLC

    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.

    Model years: 2004, 2005, 2006

  9. Fifth wheel assembly (trailer hitches)

    NHTSA 03V227000 Reported 2,000 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION

    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

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.