The 2002 Freightliner Fs-65 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 35,200 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the structure. Last updated July 5, 2026.
CERTAIN 1998-2003 MY FREIGHTLINER FS-65 SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS AND MB-45, MB-55, AND XB SHUTTLE BUS CHASSIS, AND THOMAS BUILT BUS: MVP-ER AND MVP-EF SCHOOL BUS AND NON-SCHOOL BUS MODELS EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS ISB DIESEL ENGINES AND EQUIPPED WITH FEDERAL-MOGAL 12 AND 24 VOLT FUEL LIFT PUMPS. THE FUEL PUMP COULD FAIL TO…
Consequence
SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE, A POSSIBLE VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy
CUMMINS WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS OF FREIGHTLINER AND THOMAS BUILT AND REPLACE THE FUEL LIFT PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-800-DIESELS.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC04V3430002004-07-123,200 affected
Defect
ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR ENGINES AND HYDRAULIC BRAKES. A BRAIDED GROUND STRAP FOR THE STARTER MAY RUB ON A STEEL CHASSIS BRAKE LINE POTENTIALLY CAUSING A FLUID LEAK.
Consequence
A BRAKE FLUID LEAK CAN REDUCE BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASE THE STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LINE AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY. THE BRAIDED GROUND STRAP WILL BE REPLACED WITH AN INSULATED CABLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 10, 2004. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC02V0840002002-04-0216,000 affected
Defect
ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES, THE BRAKE HOSES FROM THE CHASSIS TO FRONT BRAKE CHAMBERS COULD DEVELOP LEAKS DUE TO THE HOSE ROUTING THAT COULD OVERSTRESS THE HOSE DURING SHARP TURNS.
Consequence
THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE REDUCED BRAKING CAPACITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR IMPROPER ROUTING. IF IMPROPER ROUTING IS FOUND, DEALERS WILL REPLACE AND CORRECT THE HOSE ROUTING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 29, 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…
Complaints by component
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
3
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
1
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
1
Total complaints5
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Frame is cracked and nearly separated above rear axle. *tr”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 freightliner fs65 school bus. The contact stated that the cross member frame was crack. The contact mentioned that the failure was found after a routine maintenance was completed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who offered to pay for the parts needed for…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 freight-liner fs65 school bus. The contact stated that after having routing maintenance done on the vehicle, he was notified that the cross member frame had developed a crack. The manufacturer was notified who stated that they would reimburse for the parts but not for…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 freightliner fs65 school bus. The contact stated that after completing a routine maintenance on the vehicle they noticed that the cross member frame was crack. The manufacturer was notified of the failure who stated they will reimburse for the parts but not for the…”
“Roseau school district operates a fleet of 26 buses covering approx. 1000 square miles in area. In 1999 roseau schools began purchasing buses with the cummins isb engines (an all electronic engine replacing the older "b" engines). The district now has 8 units with this particular engine. The…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE02024 Opened 2002-02-22 · closed 2002-03-25
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2002 Freightliner Fs-65 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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