Model year record

2003 FREIGHTLINER Columbia

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 12 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 17V810000

Equipment

Component
Equipment
Manufacturer
Daimler Trucks North America LLC
Vehicles affected
24,860
Reported to NHTSA
2017-12-15
Owners notified
2018-04-11

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2002-2017 Freightliner Cascadia, Century Class, Columbia and Coronado trucks and Western Star 4700, 4900, 5700, 5900 and 6900 trucks. These vehicles are equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers that may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

Safety risk

In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and instruct them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on April 11, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712, or contact Kidde customer service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-759.

Recall campaignNHTSA 07V302000

Service brakes, air: supply: check valve

Component
Service brakes, air: supply: check valve
Manufacturer
FREIGHTLINER LLC
Vehicles affected
75,000
Reported to NHTSA
2007-07-16
Owners notified
2008-01-11

Defect description

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 APART. PIECES OF THE PARKER SCV CAN BECOME LODGED INSIDE THE SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVE, POTENTIALLY CAUSING EITHER LEAKAGE OUT OF THE SR-7 VALVE OR PREVENTING AIR FROM PROPERLY EXHAUSTING FROM THE SR-7 VALVE. ALSO, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE INTERNAL RUBBER CHECK VALVE INSIDE THE SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVES, THE VALVES CAN BECOME DEFORMED AND NOT SEAT PROPERLY.

Safety risk

THESE CONDITIONS COULD EITHER RESULT IN LEAKAGE AND CAUSE A DELAY IN THE APPLICATION OF THE SPRING BRAKE WITHOUT WARNING OR POSSIBLY LEAD TO UNINTENDED VEHICLE ROLLAWAY OR BRAKE DRAG WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY, OR DEATH.

Manufacturer 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, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V001000

Seats

Component
Seats
Manufacturer
FREIGHTLINER LLC
Vehicles affected
1,770
Reported to NHTSA
2005-01-03
Owners notified
2005-04-20

Defect description

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SEATS BUILT BY GRA-MAG, THE SEAT PIVOT BOLTS CAN LOOSEN AND POSSIBLY FRACTURE OR DISLODGE, CAUSING THE SEAT BACK TO FAIL TO PROVIDE FULL SUPPORT TO THE DRIVER'S BACK.

Safety risk

A POSSIBLE VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE SEAT FALL BACKWARDS DURING USE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V205000

Power train: manual transmission

Component
Power train: manual transmission
Manufacturer
FREIGHTLINER LLC
Vehicles affected
14,000
Reported to NHTSA
2004-05-04
Owners notified
2004-05-21

Defect description

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION, THE TAPERED JOINT THAT ATTACHES THE SHIFTER TO THE TRANSMISSION MAY BECOME LOOSE MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO GEAR.

Safety risk

IF SHIFT LEVER DETACHMENT OCCURS, THA ABILITY RO ACCELERATE OT MAINTAIN SPEED WILL BE LOST, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL RE-SECURE THE SHIFT LEVER TO THE TRANSMISSION USING THREADLOCK AND RE-TORQUING THE FASTENING BOLT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 21, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V500000

Service brakes, air

Component
Service brakes, air
Manufacturer
FREIGHTLINER LLC
Vehicles affected
400
Reported to NHTSA
2003-12-04
Owners notified
2004-01-26

Defect description

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AIR BRAKES, THE PLASTIC PUSH-TO-CONNECT AIR LINE FITTING CARTRIDGE COULD BE IMPROPERLY WELDED INTO THE NYLON JUNCTION BLOCK HOUSING ALLOWING AN AIR LINE TO BECOME DISCONNECTED.

Safety risk

THIS COULD LEAD TO REDUCED BRAKE CONTROL, LOSS OF SERVICE BRAKE CONTROL, OR THE EMERGENCY BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY APPLYING, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW CAB AIR MANIFOLD. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON JANUARY 21, 2004. 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 800-547-0712.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system3
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control230,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1
Exterior lighting: fog lights142,136 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights142,136 mi
Power train: manual transmission1
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut1
Tires1

The 2002 model has 6 times as many complaints as this one. The 2004 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.