Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 4 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Suspension. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Tires. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
4 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingInjury
GOT IN THIS CENTURY , FREIGHTLINER APRIL OF 2006, BEEN EXPERIENCING HEADACHES,BURNING EYES, TIRED ALL THE TIME. CAN SMELL FUMES COMING IN THROUGH AIR VENTS. WAKE UP WITH HEADACHES, A DRIVER USED A CO READER TODAY IN MY CAB WAS GETTING ILL. IT SEEMS THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A WHILE, AN THE DRIVERS AREN'T BEING TOLD, I F…
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GOT IN THIS CENTURY , FREIGHTLINER APRIL OF 2006, BEEN EXPERIENCING HEADACHES,BURNING EYES, TIRED ALL THE TIME. CAN SMELL FUMES COMING IN THROUGH AIR VENTS. WAKE UP WITH HEADACHES, A DRIVER USED A CO READER TODAY IN MY CAB WAS GETTING ILL. IT SEEMS THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A WHILE, AN THE DRIVERS AREN'T BEING TOLD, I FIND THIS ODD AND UN SAFE, MY WIFE HAS ALSO TOLD ME THAT SHE COULD SMELL A FUNNY ODOR ON MY CLOTHES. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10175975
572,000 miles · Oct 17, 2006
Tires
BOUGHT 2 R287 BRIDGESTONE TIRES ON MAY 11,2006 295/75 22.5 HAVE PUT ABOUT 60,000 MILES ON THE STEER TIRES. THE RIGHT FRONT HAS STRIPS OF RUBBER COMING OFF OF IT. SOUTHERN TIRE MART IN LONGVIEW, TX INSIST I PAY FULL PRICE FOR ONE R280 WHICH IS VERY UNSAFE AND WILL NOT PRORATE OR ADJUST EITHER TIRE. TEXAS STAR EXPRESS HAS HAD A …
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BOUGHT 2 R287 BRIDGESTONE TIRES ON MAY 11,2006 295/75 22.5 HAVE PUT ABOUT 60,000 MILES ON THE STEER TIRES. THE RIGHT FRONT HAS STRIPS OF RUBBER COMING OFF OF IT. SOUTHERN TIRE MART IN LONGVIEW, TX INSIST I PAY FULL PRICE FOR ONE R280 WHICH IS VERY UNSAFE AND WILL NOT PRORATE OR ADJUST EITHER TIRE. TEXAS STAR EXPRESS HAS HAD A LARGE NUMBER OF THE R287 START PEELING RUBBER OFF. THIS IS VERY DANGERIOUS ON STEER TIRES. I AM SCARED OF BRIDGESTONE TIRES BECAUCE OF THIS. REMIMBER THE FIRESTONE 500 IS THE 70,S. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10171034
Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 2000
Suspension
LEFT FRONT SPRING HANGER IS LOOSE, BOTTOM BOLTS TURN BY HAND. NLM
NHTSA ODI #557100
Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 2000
Suspension
LEFT FRONT SPRING HANGER IS LOOSE, BOTTOM BOLTS TURNED BY HAND. NLM
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SEIZURE OF THE BEARINGS CAN CAUSE WHEEL SEPARATION OR WHEEL END FIRE.
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 THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, A CAPACITOR IN THE POWER LINE CONTROL (PLC) FILTER COULD OVERHEAT AND/OR IGNITE WHEN SUBJECTED TO REVERSE POLARITY ELECTRICAL SPIKES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE AREA OF THE PLC FILTER WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
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 FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: BOLTS TORQUED BELOW SPECIFICATION WILL NOT RELIABLY PREVENT AIR LEAKAGE AT THE AFFECTED ABS VALVE PACKAGE INTERFACE JOINTS ONCE THE COMPONENT BEGINS NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION. IF AIR LEAKS DEVELOP AT ANY OF THE ABS VALVE PACKAGE INTERFACE JOINTS, BRAKE SYSTEM PRESSURE REDUCTIONS COULD OCCUR DURING BRAKING OR NORMAL OPERATION WITH UNITS EQUIPPED WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL OPTION, POTENTIALLY EXTENDING STOPPING DISTANCES, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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 REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WHEN THE VALVE STICKS OPEN, IT CAN RESULT IN A TOTAL LOSS OF AIR FROM EITHER THE SERVICE OR THE PARK BRAKE SYSTEM. THE DRIVER MAY LOSE BRAKING ABILITY UNDER A SERVICE APPLICATION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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 TIME SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2
PE03005 · Front Brake Air Hose Leaks
Opened Feb 7, 2003 · Closed Aug 22, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Air:supply:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
CERTAIN 1998-2001 FREIGHTLINER CENTURY AND COLUMBIA VEHICLES EXHIBIT A HIGHER RATE OF FRONT BRAKE AIR HOSE LEAKS THAN EARLIER VINTAGE FREIGHTLINER VEHICLES.THE LEAKS HAVE BEEN FREQUENTLY DISCOVERED AT FMCSA ROADSIDE INSPECTIONS SINCE THESE INSPECTIONS ARE CONDUCTED WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED (PRESSURIZING THE AIR HOSE) WHEREAS DRIVER PRE-TRIP INSPECTIONS MAY NOT ALWAYS BE PERFORMED WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED. AFTER A THOROUGH TECHNICAL REVIEW OF THIS MATTER,ODI HAS CONCUDED THAT WHILE THE SUBJECT VEHICLES EXHIBIT A HIGHER RATE OF FRONT BRAKE AIR HOSE LEAKS THAN EARLIER VINTAGE AND PEER VEHICLES, THESE LEAKS APPEAR TO BE MINOR. FREIGHTLINER HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THIS COMPONENT TO 5 YEARS, 500,000 MILES AND WILL ASSIST IN ALERTING THOSE VEHICLE OWNERS WHOSE VEHICLES ARE MOST SUSCEPTIBLE TO FRONT BRAKE AIR HOSE LEAKAGE BY ISSUING A SERVICE BULLETIN ALERTING THOSE OWNERS TO THE POTENTIAL FOR FRONT BRAKE AIR HOSE LEAKAGE TO OCCUR. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR FULL TECHNICAL DETAILS.
PE02088 · Integral Hub And Bearing Assembly
Opened Nov 22, 2002 · Closed May 1, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Wheels
FREIGHTLINER SUBMITTED A DEFECT REPORT ON MARCH 21, 2003 IN WHICH THEY IDENTIFIED APPROXIMATELY 5000 TRUCKS AS POSSIBLY BEINGAFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM.ARVINMERITOR (FRONT AXLE MFR) SUBMITTED A DEFECT REPORT ONAPRIL 16, 2003, WHICH IDENTIFIES 6098 FREIGHTLINER TRUCKS ASBEING AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL AND 1191 AXLES SOLD TO FREIGHTLINER IN THE AFTERMARKET. ODI NOTES THAT THERE ARE TWOINTEGRAL HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLIES PER FRONT AXLE.FREIGHTLINER IDENTIFIED VEHICLES INCLUDINGFREIGHTLINER,STERLING, AND WESTERN STAR BRAND NAME AS BEINGAFFECTED BY THIS RECALL.SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Wheels
FREIGHTLINER SUBMITTED A DEFECT REPORT ON MARCH 21, 2003 IN WHICH THEY IDENTIFIED APPROXIMATELY 5000 TRUCKS AS POSSIBLY BEINGAFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM.ARVINMERITOR (FRONT AXLE MFR) SUBMITTED A DEFECT REPORT ONAPRIL 16, 2003, WHICH IDENTIFIES 6098 FREIGHTLINER TRUCKS ASBEING AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL AND 1191 AXLES SOLD TO FREIGHTLINER IN THE AFTERMARKET. ODI NOTES THAT THERE ARE TWOINTEGRAL HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLIES PER FRONT AXLE.FREIGHTLINER IDENTIFIED VEHICLES INCLUDINGFREIGHTLINER,STERLING, AND WESTERN STAR BRAND NAME AS BEINGAFFECTED BY THIS RECALL.SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
Wheels
FREIGHTLINER SUBMITTED A DEFECT REPORT ON MARCH 21, 2003 IN WHICH THEY IDENTIFIED APPROXIMATELY 5000 TRUCKS AS POSSIBLY BEINGAFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM.ARVINMERITOR (FRONT AXLE MFR) SUBMITTED A DEFECT REPORT ONAPRIL 16, 2003, WHICH IDENTIFIES 6098 FREIGHTLINER TRUCKS ASBEING AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL AND 1191 AXLES SOLD TO FREIGHTLINER IN THE AFTERMARKET. ODI NOTES THAT THERE ARE TWOINTEGRAL HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLIES PER FRONT AXLE.FREIGHTLINER IDENTIFIED VEHICLES INCLUDINGFREIGHTLINER,STERLING, AND WESTERN STAR BRAND NAME AS BEINGAFFECTED BY THIS RECALL.SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
Wheels
FREIGHTLINER SUBMITTED A DEFECT REPORT ON MARCH 21, 2003 IN WHICH THEY IDENTIFIED APPROXIMATELY 5000 TRUCKS AS POSSIBLY BEINGAFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM.ARVINMERITOR (FRONT AXLE MFR) SUBMITTED A DEFECT REPORT ONAPRIL 16, 2003, WHICH IDENTIFIES 6098 FREIGHTLINER TRUCKS ASBEING AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL AND 1191 AXLES SOLD TO FREIGHTLINER IN THE AFTERMARKET. ODI NOTES THAT THERE ARE TWOINTEGRAL HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLIES PER FRONT AXLE.FREIGHTLINER IDENTIFIED VEHICLES INCLUDINGFREIGHTLINER,STERLING, AND WESTERN STAR BRAND NAME AS BEINGAFFECTED BY THIS RECALL.SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
2001 Freightliner Century Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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