Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2001 Freightliner Columbia, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Steering1
- Suspension1
- Trailer hitches1
- Service brakes, air1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 2 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 10 2001 Columbia vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 0 people died inside them. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
Recalls in Canada
5 Transport Canada recalls for the 2001 Freightliner Columbia.
| 2006009 12 Jan 2006 | Steering On certain vehicles, the steering wheel was manufactured with incorrect length Huck fasteners that are too short to allow proper retaining collar engagement. S… |
| 2003179 29 Jul 2003 | Suspension On certain vehicles, manufacturing defects in the front axle unitized hubs may cause premature spalling of the wheel bearings. This condition will lead to even… |
| 2003158 19 Jun 2003 | Other On certain vehicles, fatigue cracks can initiate in the weld joining the bracket pin to its mounting flange on the fifth wheel assembly. Weld failures could le… |
| 2002197 1 Nov 2002 | Steering The TRW tie rod and drag link ball stud ends contain bearings that are below the specified case depth and/or hardness. This can lead to premature wear out and … |
| 2002065 4 Apr 2002 | Electrical On certain trucks a capacitor in the power line carrier (PLC) filter can ignite when subject to reverse polarity electrical spikes. The PLC filter is located in… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Freightliner told its dealers about the 2001 Freightliner Columbia: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 629528 | SUBJECT REGARDING AMEND ANTIFREEZE CONCENTRATION TO CORRECT FREEZE POINT. *TT |
| 629047 | FIELD SERVICE CAMPAIGN SF238A FOR FREIGHTLINER AIRLINER FRONT SUSPENSION REAR SPRING MOUNT FASTENERS TORQUE. *TT |
| 10151510 | Operating Hours for the Customer Assistance Center |
| 10141813 | ssb2623 Localizacin de averas de la palanca SmartShift de Freightliner |
| 10141700 | sb2061 Replacement Shunt Tube, EPA07 Caterpillar C13 and C15 Engines |
| 10141699 | sb2059 Replacing Push-to-Connect Air Line Fittings with Brass Compression Fittings |
| 10141698 | sb2058 Early EPA07 QLD Radiator Replacement |
| 10141697 | sb2057 New Surge Tank Design |
| 10141696 | sb2056 Transmission Oil Line Removal and Installation |
| 10141692 | sb2051 Radiator Surge Tank Vent Line Plumbing |
| 10049539 | FREIGHTLINER: BRAKE S-CAM TUBE LUBRICATION INTERVAL CHANGE. TO ENSURE OPTIMUM SERVICE LIFE AND TROUBLE-FREE OPERATION, THE RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE INTERVAL FOR LUBRICATING MERITOR S-CAM BRAKE TUBES ON CENTURY CLASS, COLUMBIA, CASCADIA AND CORONADO OVER-THE-ROAD VEHICLES IS CHANGED FROM M2 TO THE M1 MAINTENANCE INTERVAL. *JS |
| 10031824 | FREIGHTLINER TRUCK: INNER TIE ROD INSPECTION AND REPAIR, RACK AND PINION GEAR. INCREASED LENGTH OF THE DRIVER SIDE INNER TIE ROD (IF THE INNER TIE ROD UNTHREADS FROM THE RACK) MAY CAUSE ABNORMAL STEER TIRE WEAR DUE TO HIGH TOE IN OR AN INABILITY TO MAINTAIN CORRECT TOE IN ADJUSTMENT. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE |
| 10029425 | FREIGHTLINER: A NEW BULB SOCKET IS AVAILABLE FOR TURN/PARK LIGHTS THAT IS METALIZED TO WITHSTAND HIGH HEAT WITHOUT OUT GASSING. MODEL YEARS UNKNOWN. MODELS COLUMBIA, BUSINESS CLASS M2 AND CASCADIA. *PE UPDATED ON 6/14/2011. *KB |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
FRONT BRAKE AIR HOSE LEAKS
INTEGRAL HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation