The 2003 Freightliner Columbia has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 116,030 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
EQUIPMENT17V8100002017-12-1524,860 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
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…
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR07V3020002007-07-1675,000 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
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.
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.
SEATS05V0010002005-01-031,770 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
A POSSIBLE VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE SEAT FALL BACKWARDS DURING USE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
POWER TRAIN04V2050002004-05-0414,000 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
IF SHIFT LEVER DETACHMENT OCCURS, THA ABILITY RO ACCELERATE OT MAINTAIN SPEED WILL BE LOST, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR03V5000002003-12-04400 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
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.
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.
Complaints by component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“2005 freightliner conventional, unit 1 and 2 was traveling westbound on the ohio turnpike, when unit 1 right side trailer tire blew causing tire debris to strike unit 2. *bf (ohio traffic crash report# 10-0163-89)*jb”
“Exhaust fumes coming into cab, causing dizziness, burning eyes, and stuffy and burning sensation in nose and on skin. I have had all exhaust manifolds and gaskets replaced and I still have the problem. I finally went to the internet to see if there was something I could do to fix the problem and…”
“There are no hand holds on the driver's side exterior or interior to aid in entering or exiting the truck. I was injured because of this failure to provide handholds when I slipped of the top step while attempting to exit the vehicle. I have under gone surgery on my left knee from which I have not…”
“There are no hand holds on the driver's side exterior or interior to aid in entering or exiting the truck. I was injured because of this failure to provide handholds when I slipped of the top step while attempting to exit the vehicle. I have under gone surgery on my left knee from which I have not…”
“While driving can smell exhaust fumes fumes coming into cab through air vents,wife getting ill an burning eyes, hard to breath,headaches,tired all the time, also other driver getting ill, only been in this freightliner 2 months, with detroit. After 10 to 12 hrs of sleeping, it only takes about 4…”
“Fumes coming into cab, 2003,freightliner,columbia,related egr valve leaking ents from dash. *ak”
“While driving the truck, the consumer would smell a rotten egg odor coming from the ventilation system. The owner has made contact with the dealership on five separate occasions and the problem still occurs. Please provide any additional information. *ph”
“Consumer states that while driving at any speed and with no warning vehicle will shut off, causing consumer to pull over. It will be hard to get the vehicle back started.dealer notified.*ak”
Defect investigations
InvestigationAQ18002 Opened 2018-04-23 · closed 2024-07-11
Daimler Trucks North America Recalls
On April 23, 2018, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSAâ€�) opened Audit Query (AQ18002) to assess the timeliness and scope of four recalls ï¬�led by Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (“DTNAâ€�). NHTSA subsequently expanded AQ18002 to examine the timeliness and scope of three additional DTNA…
InvestigationAQ18002 Opened 2018-04-23 · closed 2024-07-11
Daimler Trucks North America Recalls
On April 23, 2018, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSAâ€�) opened Audit Query (AQ18002) to assess the timeliness and scope of four recalls ï¬�led by Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (“DTNAâ€�). NHTSA subsequently expanded AQ18002 to examine the timeliness and scope of three additional DTNA…
InvestigationPE04036 Opened 2004-04-12 · closed 2004-12-06
DIESEL EXHAUST GAS INTRUSION
THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 3 COMPLAINTS FROM DRIVERS OF 2003 MODEL YEAR (MY) FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA TRUCK TRACTORS AND ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY FREIGHTLINER INDICATING A KNOWN PROBLEM OF EXHAUST LEAKS IN CERTAIN DETROIT DIESEL SERIES-60 ENGINES EQUIPPED WITH A ?COOLED EGR? EMISSIONS CONTROL…
InvestigationPE04036 Opened 2004-04-12 · closed 2004-12-06
DIESEL EXHAUST GAS INTRUSION
THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 3 COMPLAINTS FROM DRIVERS OF 2003 MODEL YEAR (MY) FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA TRUCK TRACTORS AND ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY FREIGHTLINER INDICATING A KNOWN PROBLEM OF EXHAUST LEAKS IN CERTAIN DETROIT DIESEL SERIES-60 ENGINES EQUIPPED WITH A ?COOLED EGR? EMISSIONS CONTROL…
InvestigationPE04036 Opened 2004-04-12 · closed 2004-12-06
DIESEL EXHAUST GAS INTRUSION
THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 3 COMPLAINTS FROM DRIVERS OF 2003 MODEL YEAR (MY) FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA TRUCK TRACTORS AND ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY FREIGHTLINER INDICATING A KNOWN PROBLEM OF EXHAUST LEAKS IN CERTAIN DETROIT DIESEL SERIES-60 ENGINES EQUIPPED WITH A ?COOLED EGR? EMISSIONS CONTROL…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2003 Freightliner Columbia as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.