Freightliner Fld Recalls & Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA lists 47 safety recalls and 10 owner complaints across 24 model years of the Freightliner Fld (1986–2011). The most-complained-about year is 1998.
Pick your Freightliner Fld model year
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 Freightliner Fld | 2 | 0 |
| 2010 Freightliner Fld | 8 | 0 |
| 2009 Freightliner Fld | 7 | 0 |
| 2008 Freightliner Fld | 10 | 1 |
| 2007 Freightliner Fld | 10 | 0 |
| 2006 Freightliner Fld | 7 | 0 |
| 2005 Freightliner Fld | 3 | 1 |
| 2004 Freightliner Fld | 6 | 1 |
| 2001 Freightliner Fld | 4 | 1 |
| 2000 Freightliner Fld | 8 | 1 |
| 1999 Freightliner Fld | 8 | 1 |
| 1998 Freightliner Fld | 5 | 2 |
| 1997 Freightliner Fld | 2 | 1 |
| 1996 Freightliner Fld | 5 | 1 |
| 1995 Freightliner Fld | 3 | 0 |
| 1994 Freightliner Fld | 5 | 0 |
| 1993 Freightliner Fld | 4 | 0 |
| 1992 Freightliner Fld | 1 | 0 |
| 1991 Freightliner Fld | 3 | 0 |
| 1990 Freightliner Fld | 1 | 0 |
| 1989 Freightliner Fld | 2 | 0 |
| 1988 Freightliner Fld | 2 | 0 |
| 1987 Freightliner Fld | 1 | 0 |
| 1986 Freightliner Fld | 1 | 0 |
What Freightliner Fld owners complain about
Across all model years, owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA. The 1998 model year has the most, with 2.
All Freightliner Fld recalls (47)
Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Freightliner Fld, 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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Fuel system, diesel
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…
Remedy: 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…
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Engine and engine cooling
Daimler trucks (dtna) is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2011 freightliner, cascadia, century, columbia fld, and m2, sterling 9500, and western star 4900 heavy trucks manufactured from march 20, 2006, through june 30, 2010, equipped with specific mbe4000 epa07 model engines. The intake air grid heater may short circuit and…
Remedy: Dtna will notify owners of the recall during march 2011. Another notification will be issued once the remedy is released. Dtna expects the remedy to be available by december 1, 2011. Repairs will be performed by dtna…
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Engine and engine cooling
Daimler trucks is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2011 freightliner, fccc, sterling, and western star heavy trucks manufactured from september 5, 2006, through june 30, 2010, equipped with specific mbe900 epa04 and epa07 model engines. The intake air grid heater may short circuit and fail due to excessive internal temperatures.
Remedy: Daimler trucks will notify owners and dealers will repair the buses free of charge. Repairs will be performed by detroit diesel corporation authorized repair facilities. The safety recall is expected to begin on or…
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Engine and engine cooling
Daimler trucks has notified NHTSA of a defect in certain model year 2008 through 2010 freightliner columbia, fld, sterling 9500 and western star 4900 emergency vehicles. The engine may shut down unexpectedly when a diesel particulate filter over temperature condition is detected.
Remedy: The engine control logic will be reprogrammed to illuminate a malfunction indicator light without requesting engine shutdown. Repairs will be performed by detroit diesel. Please see daimler trucks defect report…
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Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)
Daimler trucks is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2010 heavy trucks manufactured between january 17, 2006 and march 31, 2009, equipped with epa07 model mbe4000 engines built with plastic low pressure fuel lines. The plastic lines may experience leaks due to fatigue cracks caused by stress and vibration combined with high…
Remedy: Daimler trucks will notify owners and the remedy will be performed by detroit diesel corporation authorized repair facilities and direct warranty customers. The safety recall began on may 7, 2010. Owners may contact…
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Engine and engine cooling
Daimler trucks is recalling model year 2004-2010 trucks equipped with caterpillar c15 engine. The variable valve actuation oil line may rub against the p-clips retaining the oil line, causing an oil leak.
Remedy: Daimler trucks is working with caterpillar to remedy these vehicles. Please see caterpillar's defect report 09e-020. Caterpillar will inspect and repair the necessary components free of charge. The recall began on may…
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Quick release valve (service brakes)
Daimler trucks is recalling 1,460 model year 2009 and 2010 heavy duty trucks and fccc chassis (used on thomas built school buses) manufactured from june 11 through december 16, 2008, equipped with certain haldex quick release valves (qrv). The rubber diaphragm inside the qrv may experience delamination resulting in significant levels of…
Remedy: Daimler trucks will notify owners and repair the buses free of charge. Repairs will be performed by daimler trucks north america. The safety recall began on august 12, 2009. Owners may contact daimler trucks toll-free…
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Fuel system, diesel
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.
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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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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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Air (parking brake)
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
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Linkages (steering)
On certain truck and motor home chassis equipped with i-shafts supplied by zf heavy duty steering, there is a potential for a failure of the fork/shaft connection.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and attach a tension collar to the steering shaft to secure the connection to the yoke. The recall began on november 16, 2005. Owners may contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.
Model years: 2004
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Hub (wheels)
On certain trucks equipped with 3rd generation conmet aluminum wheels, the drum mounting flange on the conmet truturn brake drum may have been manufactured with a taper from the pilot hole to the barrel of the drum.
Remedy: After further investigation and testing, freightliner has revised the population and the remedy (december 22, 2005). Therefore, the recall began on march 15, 2006. Owners may contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.
Model years: 2004
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Driveline (power train)
On certain vehicles, there is a defect in the interaxle driveline yokes. The bolt holes located on the earwork of the male shaft yokes were manufactured with an oversized minor thread diameter.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the suspect male shaft yokes. The recall began on april 4, 2005. Owners should contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.
Model years: 2004
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Pedals and linkages (service brakes)
On certain trucks, the brake pedal pushrod was not tightened properly during assembly.
Remedy: Dealers will adjust the pedal pushrod. The recall began on april 11, 2005. Owners should contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.
Model years: 2004
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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
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Hub (suspension)
On certain trucks equipped with truck hub units manufactured by skf exclusively for use on arvinmeritor's ff98x series non-drive steer axles, the hub unit bearings can wear prematurely.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both front hubs. Owner notification is expected to begin on or before september 20, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive…
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Vehicle speed control
Certain heavy duty trucks converted from sleepercabs to day cabs and equipped with a detroit diesel optimized idle system. The idle system was not completely disabled in the cab conversion process.
Remedy: Dealers will completely disable the optimized idle system. Owner notification began april 3, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free…
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Electrical system: wiring
On certain trucks, a capacitor in the power line control (plc) filter could overheat and/or ignite when subjected to reverse polarity electrical spikes.
Remedy: Dealers will disconnect and secure the plc filter ground wire. Owner notification began september 20, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the…
Model years: 2001
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Check valve (service brakes)
On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with meritor wabco pneumatic anitlock brake system (ABS) valve packages, the assembly bolts on these valve packages were not tightened correctly.
Remedy: Dealers will tighten the fasteners to the proper specification. Owner notification began april 4, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free…
Model years: 2001
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Tie rod assembly (steering)
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with trw tie rod ends on certain meritor axles. The tie rod and drag link ball stud ends contain bearings that are below the specified case depth and/or hardness.
Remedy: Dealers will remove and replace all affected tie rods and drag links with different designed ends. Owner notification began november 8, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon…
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Anchorage (seat belts)
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks converted from sleeper cabs to day cabs fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 210, "seat belt assembly anchorages."
Remedy: Dealers will install reinforcements to the seat belt anchorages. Owner notification began december 31, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the…
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Service brakes, air: controls, pedals and linkages
Vehicle description: vehicles equipped with certain haldex brake system two and four port relay valves. The valve may stick open when a high-pressure application is released.
Remedy: Dealers will replace these valves. Owner notification began october 17, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable…
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Suspension
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with chalmers 1000 and 800 series suspension kits. These suspension kits may have insufficient penetration of the weld attaching the torque rod eye to the torque rod tube.
Remedy: Dealers will replace all chalmers fixed torque rods on these vehicles. Owner notification began march 14, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive…
Model years: 2000
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Tie rod assembly (steering)
Vehicle description: trucks, school bus and motor home chassis, and transit buses equipped with tie rod assemblies manufactured by trw. The suspect tie rods contain 24-dl model ball sockets. Certain of the tie rod ball-socket bearings have a below-specification case depth and/or hardness, which can lead to premature wear of the socket.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the defective ball sockets and/or drag links. Owner notification began may 22, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the…
Model years: 1999
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Antilock (service brakes)
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks and school bus chassis built with bendix air ABS with an ec-17 1030r electronic control unit (ECU), there have been reports of unwanted ABS activation at low speeds caused by 1) chafed ABS wheel speed sensor wires on rotating parts or 2) a damaged component at the wheel end that generates a certain…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ABS ECU.
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Rim (wheels)
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with accuride 22.5 x 8.25 15 tubeless demountable rims, part no. 32051. Certain rims contain a non-fusion area in the butt-weld of the mounting ring. Under certain circumstances, the defect could develop into a crack on the mounting ring.
Remedy: Accuride will inspect and replace the defective or suspect wheel rims.
Model years: 2000
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Air suspension system (suspension)
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks built with dual leaf spring type air ride suspensions and vehicles built with single leaf spring type air ride suspensions. Rear suspension springs can fracture through the center bolt hole after vehicle assembly.
Remedy: For vehicles equipped with single leaf springs, dealers will remove and replace all springs. For vehicles equipped with dual leaf springs, dealers will inspect for cracked springs and replace if cracked.
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Hub (suspension)
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks. The outboard bearing on the steering axle hubs can fail due to water intrusion through a hubcap vent.
Remedy: Dealers will remove the hubcap and inspect for water intrusion and corrosion. The hub and bearing assembly will be replaced if there is evidence of corrosion. A non-vented hubcap will be installed.
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Electrical system: module
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with caterpillar engines and eaton autoshift transmissions. The engines can stall because of software problems.
Remedy: Caterpillar is conducting the owner notification and remedy of this recall. Dealers will update these engines with software changes.
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Suspension: rear
Vehicle description: trucks equipped with tuftrac suspensions. The rear suspension axle clamps can fracture, allowing the rear axle to shift.
Remedy: Dealers will install new upper and lower axle clamps.
Model years: 1999
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Hub (suspension)
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with design level 1, rockwell ff980 series front axle. The front axle hub flange can develop cracks due to high stress levels.
Remedy: Dealers will remove and replace the front hubs with an improved design level 2 hub.
Model years: 1996
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Switch (exterior lighting)
Vehicle description: heavy duty truck. The shoulder bolt which holds the grote turn signal switch case and components together can loosen resulting in the turn signal malfunctioning.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect these vehicles and tighten any loose bolts and in the turn signal switch within 2 years from the date of the recall notification letter. The shoulder bolt will be removed, cleaned, and reinstalled…
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Foot control/valve (service brakes)
Corrosion can occur in the foot brake valve adapter bore and plunger due to water and road salt intrusion.
Remedy: Dealers will remove and replace the brake valve adapter with an improved design that has full face contact with the gasket.
Model years: 1996
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Fan (engine and engine cooling)
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with horton fan drives. The fan drive control system was reconfigured which resulted in a significant increase in the demand for fan activation and associated stress to electrical and mechanical components. Various component failure models, combined with characteristics of the fan clutch…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fan clutch drive disc with one that incorporates a thermally activated pressure relief.
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Vehicle speed control
These vehicles are equipped with a detroit diesel optimized idle system. If the ignition is turned on and the fuse for the electronic control module (ECM) power feed line is removed or burned out, the safety features designed to prevent injury to persons working in the vicinity of the engine will be bypassed, and unintentional cranking…
Remedy: Detroit diesel distributors will rewire the vehicles using a revised ECM which will eliminate unintentional cranking.
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Recreational vehicle/trailer (equipment)
The bunk support bracket can fracture allowing the bunk to drop.
Remedy: Dealers will install a bunk support bracket reinforcement kit.
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Service brakes, air
The bolts used to mount the brake assemblies to the axles may have cracks from improper heat treatment.
Remedy: Dealers will remove and replace all brake mounting bolts.
Model years: 1996
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Windshield (visibility)
The glass in the swing-out side window can separate from the window frame.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the swing-out side windows with a side window retained by adhesive.
Model years: 1994
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Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe (engine and engine cooling)
The muffler mounting brackets that attach the exhaust system and cab entry grab handle to the cab were manufactured with incomplete welds.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect vehicles for adequate muffler bracket welds and re-weld if necessary.
Model years: 1994
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Arm (steering)
Fatigue cracks develop in the front axle knuckle suppport on high mileage vehicles that can cause knuckle failure.
Remedy: Replace the front axle knuckle assemblies with a redesigned knuckle that has a radius in the area where cracks have been found.
Model years: 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989
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Universal joint (power train)
The driveline u-joints exhibit excessive rates of failure at low mileages and may cause separation of the interaxle driveline.
Remedy: Freightliner dealers will remove and replace the rockwell interaxle u-joints with u-joints of a different design.
Model years: 1993
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Universal joint (power train)
The interaxle driveline u-joints may fail at low mileage due to a lack of lubrication in the u-joint during the assembly process.
Remedy: Remove and replace the interaxle u-joints.
Model years: 1991
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Steering wheel/handle bar (steering)
Malformed steering wheel center section could result in a fracture of the upper hub casting. This may lead to separation of the steering wheel from the steering column mounting hub.
Remedy: Remove and replace the upper hub casting and install a hub plate.
Model years: 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991
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.