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Check a VIN

2005 Freightliner Columbia

38 owner complaints — the most of any Columbia model years, 12.7× the typical year. 14 recalls, 25 service bulletins.

38complaints · 1 crashes, 2 fires
14recalls
25manufacturer bulletins
173,036 mimedian mileage at failure

Problems owners report

Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2005 Freightliner Columbia, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.

  • Power train24
  • Wheels4
  • Engine and engine cooling3
  • Tires2
  • Suspension2
  • Electrical system2
  • Exterior lighting1
  • Electronic stability control (esc)1
  • Service brakes1
  • Structure1

NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 6 injuries and 0 deaths reported

Compared with other years

’97’00’03’05’06’09’12’15’18’2138’97’00’03’05’06’09’12’15’18’2138

NHTSA ODI complaints by model year

Fatal crashes in the US

From 2020 to 2023, 63 2005 Columbia vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 20 people died inside them, and 8 of the vehicles rolled over. 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)

New York safety inspections

At its first New York inspection the 2005 Freightliner Columbia failed the safety check 1.03% of the time — 55% less often than the average 2005 passenger car (2.30%). Median odometer at inspection: 188,595 miles.

292first inspections
1.03%failed on safety
188,595 mimedian odometer
0.0%0.5%0.9%’03’05’07’091.0%0.0%0.5%0.9%’03’05’06’091.0%

NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count

Recalls in Canada

18 Transport Canada recalls for the 2005 Freightliner Columbia.

2019237
17 May 2019
Brakes
Issue: Certain trucks were built with air reservoir tanks that are too small in relation to the size of the air brake chambers. Canadian regulations require e…
2011367
14 Oct 2011
Steering
On certain trucks equipped with a rack & pinion steering system, the lower pinion bearing may corrode and fail. As a result, the vehicle may require additional…
2011345
19 Sept 2011
Fuel System
On certain trucks, the plastic low-pressure fuel line between the engine-mounted fuel filter and the engine block may develop a diesel fuel leak. The location …
2009270
22 Sept 2009
Engine
On certain vehicles equipped with a Caterpillar C15 engine, the Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) oil line may wear against the P-clip retaining the oil line. An …
2009259
9 Sept 2009
Steering
On certain trucks, the left inner tie rod end may loosen and eventually separate from the steering rack. Tie rod failure could result in a loss of steering con…
2008078
4 Mar 2008
Fuel System
On certain trucks, the high-pressure fuel line at each injector may fatigue and fracture if a fastener at the end of the line is not properly connected. This w…
2007280
29 Aug 2007
Steering
On certain trucks, the tie rod arms may have been incorrectly installed during vehicle assembly. If the right steering arm is installed on the left knuckle, ex…
2007279
29 Aug 2007
Steering
On certain trucks, the driver's side inner tie rod may be damaged while the truck is executing a sharp turn. Excessive tie rod angles may loosen the tie rod ba…
2007231
11 Jul 2007
Brakes
On certain vehicles, the internal rubber check valve inside the Bendix SR-7 spring brake modulating valve can become deformed over time. The effect of this def…
2007215
26 Jun 2007
Steering
On certain vehicles, the steering column may have been manufactured incorrectly. Two welds may have been omitted, which could cause the column to fail, possibl…
2006133
5 Jun 2006
Electrical
On certain vehicles, the protective cover for the cab Power Distribution Module (PDM) may be missing or improperly installed. If the protective cover is missing…
2006084
19 Apr 2006
Suspension
On certain vehicles, the rear suspension transverse beam castings were not made to specifications. If a casting were to break when the vehicle is in motion, pa…
2006034
9 Feb 2006
Engine
On certain vehicles equipped with a Caterpillar engine, the Variable Valve Actuation oil line (VVA line) used on 6 cylinder, 15L turbocharged and air-to-air aft…
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…
2005318
18 Oct 2005
Suspension
On certain vehicles, the rear spindles may fracture as a result of incorrect heat treat process during vehicle assembly. Rear spindle failure could allow the w…
2005292
5 Oct 2005
Steering
On certain vehicles, the lower yoke on the steering shaft may have been incorrectly fabricated. If the splines of the steering shaft push through the lower yok…
2005266
14 Sept 2005
Steering
On certain vehicles, the front hubs may fracture and allow the wheel assembly to separate from the vehicle. This could cause a crash without prior warning. Co…
2005140
10 Jun 2005
Wheels
On certain vehicles, wheels were not pre-stressed and could, over time, develop cracks. If allowed to propagate, the cracks may result in wheel failure, which …

Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada

Recalls

19V370000 · Service brakes, air14 May 2019 · 741 vehicles

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2004-2019 Freightliner 108SD, 114SD, 122SD, Cascadia, Columbia, Classic, FL80, FLD 120SD, Business Class M2, Western Star 4700, 4900, 6900, Sterling Acterra, L7500, LT7500, L8500, LT8500, L9500, and LT9500 vehicles. The vehicles may have an insufficient service brake air reservoir capacity. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems."

17V810000 · Equipment15 Dec 2017 · 24,860 vehicles

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

11V514000 · Steering13 Oct 2011 · 9,689 vehicles

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA, COLUMBIA, CENTURY, CORONADO, AND CLASSIC XL TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 1, 2004, THROUGH JUNE 15, 2010 FOR THE RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM. THE LOWER PINION BEARING MAY CORRODE AND FAIL. A FAILED BEARING MAY LEAD TO DAMAGE OF THE SPOOL VALVE SEALS. A DAMAGE SPOOL VALVE SEAL MAY ALLOW HYDRAULIC FLUID TO FLOW TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT TURN PORT INSTEAD OF FLOWING TO THE RETURN PORT.

11V478000 · Fuel system, diesel16 Sept 2011 · 73,500 vehicles

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2008 HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 11, 2003, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 28, 2007, EQUIPPED WITH EPA04 MODEL MBE4000 ENGINES BUILT WITH PLASTIC LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINES AND FUEL FILTERS MOUNTED NEAR THE CENTER OF THE ENGINE ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE. THE PLASTIC LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINE BETWEEN ENGINE MOUNTED FUEL FILTER AND ENGINE BLOCK MAY DEVELOP A SUBSTANTIAL DIESEL FUEL LEAK.

09V366000 · Engine and engine cooling23 Sept 2009 · 25,362 vehicles

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR C15 ENGINE. THE VARIABLE VALVE ACTUATION OIL LINE MAY RUB AGAINST THE P-CLIPS RETAINING THE OIL LINE, CAUSING AN OIL LEAK.

08V113000 · Fuel system, diesel11 Mar 2008 · 62,000 vehicles

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 62,000 MY 2005-2007 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS, CENTURY CLASS, COLUMBIA, CORONADO, FLD, CLASSIC, STERLING A-LINE, L-LINE, AND WESTERN STAR 4900 TRUCKS. A FRACTURED FUEL LINE COULD LEAK DIESEL FUEL.

07V403000 · Steering6 Sept 2007 · 450 vehicles

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH RACK AND PINION STEERING, THE BALL SOCKET ASSEMBLY AT THE INNER END OF THE DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD MAY BE DAMAGED IN A SHARP TURN. EXCESSIVE TIE ROD ANGLES MAY LOOSEN THE TIE ROD IN THE BALL SOCKET OR DAMAGE THE THREADED TIE ROD SOCKET ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING RACK ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE THREADED END OF THE BALL SOCKET ASSEMBLY MAY FRACTURE AND SEPARATE.

07V400000 · Steering5 Sept 2007 · 413 vehicles

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH RACK AND PINION STEERING, THE TIE ROD ARMS MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY INSTALLED. THE THREADED END OF THE BALL SOCKET ASSEMBLY MAY FRACTURE AND SEPARATE.

07V302000 · Service brakes, air16 Jul 2007 · 75,000 vehicles

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.

07V289000 · Steering3 Jul 2007 · 25,643 vehicles

CERTAIN FREIGHTLINER SCHOOL BUSES AND TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 23, 2004, TO MARCH 21, 2006. DURING THE STEERING COLUMN MANUFACTURING PROCESS TWO WELDS MAY HAVE BEEN MISSING.

06V190000 · Electrical system5 Jun 2006 · 61,000 vehicles

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE PROTECTIVE COVER FOR THE CAB POWER DISTRIBUTION MODEL (PDM) MAY BE MISSING OR IMPROPERLY INSTALLED.

06V030000 · Engine and engine cooling8 Feb 2006 · 5,771 vehicles

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR DIESEL ENGINES, THE VARIABLE VALVE ACTUATION OIL LINE MAY WEAR AGAINST THE SHARP EDGE OF THE CYLINDER HEAD IF NOT POSITIONED CORRECTLY.

05V467000 · Suspension5 Oct 2005 · 1,100 vehicles

CERTAIN 2005 THOMAS BUILT FS-65 AND C-2 SCHOOL BUSES AND 2005 FREIGHTLINER ARGOSY, COLUMBIA, CENTURY ST, AND M2 BUSINESS CLASS TRUCKS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 4 AND JULY 8, 2005. THE SPINDLES IN THE REAR AXLE HOUSING WERE OVERHEATED DURING THE HEAT TREATMENT PROCESS. INCORRECTLY HEAT TREATED SPINDLES COULD RESULT IN A FRACTURE OF THE SPINDLE.

05V185000 · Wheels27 Apr 2005 · 3,500 vehicles

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH ACCURIDE ALUMINUM WHEELS, THE WHEELS WERE NOT PROPERLY PRE-STRESSED. THIS ALLOWS CRACKS TO DEVELOP OVER TIME.

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 2005 Freightliner Columbia: known faults, fixes and updates.

BulletinSummary
10195659SS 1032974 High Oil Pressure on 2017 DTNA Vehicles Instrument Cluster Display
10195478SS 1033638 - Power Window Express Down Module Discontinued
10187830Revised Technical Service Letter for Series 60 and Series 50 Camshaft Timing Specifications. Camshaft timing, valve lash, injector height, and Jake Brake lash are all very important specifications that must be followed closely in order to optimize the performance and service life of any Detroit Diesel engine.
10184785Revised Freightliner Service Bulletin for Axle Flange Gasket Replaced with O-Ring. Revision removed steps instructing removal and installation of wheels. Daimler Trucks North America has released a new axle shaft to hub rubber O-ring (part number 11-30728-000) as a replacement for the paper gasket (part number 11-14418-000). The new O-ring will provide better sealing and is reusable. It is quicker and easier to use compared to the paper gasket, because using a paper gasket requires cleaning the hub when the axle shaft is removed.
10181759Updated Freightliner Service Bulletin for Powernet Troubleshooting Guide - Batteries, Path, Alternator, and Starter. This bulletin replaces the version dated 5/31/2017. Information is added about the BCT-460DTNA PowerNet Assessment Tool. When troubleshooting Powernet issues, use the BCT-460DTNA PowerNet Assessment Tool. As of May 29, 2018, the AutoMeter is the only Daimler-approved tool for troubleshooting vehicle Powernet issues.
10181049Freightliner Service Bulletin for Axle Flange Gasket Replaced with O-Ring. Daimler Trucks North America has released a new axle shaft to hub rubber O-ring (part number 11-30728-000) as a replacement for the paper gasket (part number 11-14418-000). The new O-ring will provide better sealing and is reusable. It is quicker and easier to use compared to the paper gasket, because using a paper gasket requires cleaning the hub when the axle shaft is removed.
10170603Technical Service Letter for DDC Series 60 engines concerning Series 60 Cylinder Head Resurfacing/Finish. Detroit Diesel does not recommend third party resurfacing of Series 60 cylinder heads (outside of Detroit and Detroit Reman).
10164491Technical Solution for finding Bill of Material
10163599Warranty Information Letter sent to customers regarding new refrigerator supplier for returning parts.
10163511Warranty Information Letter - Expanded guidelines for paint-related claims sent out to Freightliner, Western star, Thomas Built Bus, Export and Direct warranty customers
10161128Steering Intermediate Shaft Replacement
10160786Service Bulletin- sb54311 ICU Odometer Programming
10160773fp00024 Cable-Tie Reference
10158072Adjusting Tilt Lock Force on TRW Steering Columns
10158051Adjusting Tilt Lock Force on TRW Steering Columns
10158020Fuel Level Sending Unit Retrofit
10156420Adjusting Tilt Lock Force on TRW Steering Columns
10156399Adjusting Tilt Lock Force on TRW Steering Columns
10156370Technical Publications Ordering
10156368Fuel Level Sending Unit Retrofit
10156351Reminder: Paper Service Bulletin Mailings Are Discontinued
10154899Important Campaign Information on FL614 Recall
10151616Service Bulletin 9814- Bumper Paint
10151615Service Bulletin 9816- DuPont? Imron Elite
10151613Service Bulletin 9817- Paint Supplier Change

NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)

NHTSA investigations

AQ18002 · Exterior lighting:brake lights:switchopened 23 Apr 2018 · closed 11 Jul 2024

Daimler Trucks North America Recalls

PE09040 · Steering:rack and pinionopened 31 Aug 2009 · closed 19 Nov 2009

RACK AND PINION FAILURE

EA07002 · Steering:columnopened 30 Jan 2007 · closed 12 Jul 2007

STEERING COLUMN WELD CRACKS

PE06033 · Steering:columnopened 30 Aug 2006 · closed 30 Jan 2007

STEERING COLUMN WELD CRACKS

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation