Unimog U500 Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 0 owner complaints across 4 model years of the Unimog U500 (2003–2006).

Pick your Unimog U500 model year

• 2003
• 2004
• 2005
• 2006

All Unimog U500 recalls (4)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Unimog U500, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

1. Automatic transmission (power train)

   NHTSA 06V457000 Reported November 30, 2006 80 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER LLC

   On certain trucks equipped with the eas transmission option, a programming logic error in the transmission automatic shift system may prevent the vehicle's clutch from disengaging when the vehicle is operated in working group or crawler gear range (low-low range).

   Remedy: Dealers will modify the automatic shift system to provide reduced engine torque when the brakes are applied while the vehicle is operated in working group or crawler gear range. The gear shift electronic control unit…

   Model years: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006

2. Clutch assembly (power train)

   NHTSA 06V237000 Reported July 3, 2006 54 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER LLC

   On certain trucks equipped with automatic shift, air may leak into the clutch hydraulic system at the central release bearing seal preventing the clutch from opening completely and potentially preventing the transmission from shifting into neutral.

   Remedy: Dealers will replace the central release bearing and update the clutch actuation electronic control unit (ECU) software free of charge. The recall began on august 24, 2006. Owners may contact freightliner at…

   Model years: 2003, 2004, 2005

3. Tires

   NHTSA 04V537000 Reported November 8, 2004 45 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER LLC

   On certain trucks equipped with michelin 365/85 r20 tires, the tires may not be compatible with the maximum load and maximum speed ratings.

   Remedy: Dealers will replace the tires with michelin 395/85 r20, and an updated gross axle weight ratings (gawr) certification label will be affixed to the vehicle. The recall began on december 3, 2004. Owners should contact…

   Model years: 2003, 2004

4. Labels (equipment) and 2 other components

   NHTSA 03V163000 Reported May 1, 2003 28 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION

   Certain trucks do not comply with several federal standards: (1) the vehicle certification labels, part 567, "certification;" (2) tire labels, federal motor vehicle safety standard (FMVSS) no. 120, "ire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than passenger cars;" (3) incomplete vehicle document, part 568, "vehicles manufactured in…

   Remedy: Only two of these vehicles had been sold to consumers and both vehicles have been remedied. The remaining vehicles are at dealerships and will be repaired at those locations. No owner notification is necessary for this…

   Model years: 2003

Other Unimog models

• U500NA1 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.