U.S. public vehicle records

Freightliner COLUMBIA problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

96 owner complaints analyzed

63 distinct recall campaigns

173,812 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1997 to 2021 model years. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 62 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Power Train:Clutch Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 19 of 96 complaints (19.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	8	8.3%
Steering behavior	4	4.2%
Transmission and shifting	3	3.1%
Engine operation	2	2.1%
Electrical and battery issues	2	2.1%
Fuel system concerns	1	1.0%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Power Train:Clutch Assembly

Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System

Power Train:Clutch Assembly:Bell Housing

Tires

Electrical System

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control

Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve)

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Power Train:Clutch Assembly	19
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System	16
Power Train:Clutch Assembly:Bell Housing	7
Tires	5
Electrical System	4
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	3
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control	3
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve)	3

Power Train:Clutch Assembly: 19; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 16; Power Train:Clutch Assembly:Bell Housing: 7; Tires: 5; Electrical System: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve): 3

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 9; 150,000 and above: 37

150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (37). 34 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2000

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2000: 1; 2002: 2; 2003: 5; 2004: 3; 2005: 32; 2006: 15; 2007: 8; 2008: 7; 2009: 3; 2010: 7; 2011: 5; 2012: 2; 2013: 4; 2014: 2

Pattern summary

Power Train:Clutch Assembly leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10158770 · 2006-06-01 (June 1, 2006)

IT HAPPEN IN INDIANAPOLIS, IN. ON HIGHWAY LOOP 465 NORTH BOUND WHEN MY CO-DRIVER REAR ENDED A SEMI-TRUCK, WE WERE DRIVING A FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA TRUCK SEMI. I WAS IN THE BACK IN THE SLEEPER BUNK SLEEPING AND FACING THE WALL AND I WAS WEARING A STRAP DOWN BY THE SEAT BELT,LOOKS MORE LIKE A SAFETY NET AND IT ONLY COVERS FROM THE CHEST TO MID-WAY OF MY KNEES AND DOESN'T COVER THE HEAD, THAT'S WHERE I RECEIVED ALL OF MY INJURIES. I HIT MY HEAD ON THE COUNTER TWICE THE TIME WAS WHEN THE DRIVER SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES I ROLLED OVER HITTING THE COUNTE…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10158770 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10136263 · 2005-09-12 (September 12, 2005)

DT: 2005 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA. THE FRONT HUB BROKE, THE CASTING CAME COMPLETELY APART. THE NEW HUB IS A DIFFERENT STYLE THAN THE ORIGINAL. THE CONSUMER BROKE A BONE IN HIS NECK, AND HAS TWO BAD DISCS IN BOTH SHOULDERS. THERE WAS NO WRECK WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. HE WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 50-55 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED ON JULY 19, 2005. HE COULD NOT GET AN ANSWER FROM FREIGHTLINER WHY THIS HAPPENED. THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW WHY THERE WAS A DIFFERENT HUB, AND IF HE SHOULD REPLACE THE OTHER ONE A…

Owner-reported narrative. 118,997 miles reported. Look up ODI 10136263 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 762991 · 2002-06-12 (June 12, 2002)

WE HAVE EXPERIENCED 5 SIMILAR STEERING GEAR BOX FAILURES ON OUR 2001 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA TRUCKS. IN EACH FAILURE THE TRUCK WOULD NOT TURN. NO ACCIDENTS OCCURRED IN FAILURES #2 - #5.ON 12/20/01 OUR 2ND FAILURE, [XXX] AT 170780 MILES, UNIT 3657.ON 04/01/02 OUR 3RD FAILURE, [XXX] AT 238661 MILES, UNIT 3725. ON 6-11-02 OUR 4TH & 5TH FAILURES, [XXX] AT 195001 MILES, UNIT 3747 AND #5 WAS [XXX] AT 305185 MILES UNIT 3634.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 762991 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 770204 · 2002-11-27 (November 27, 2002)

PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED REPORT ON A TOTAL OF 5 FAILURES, ODI NUMBER 762991 ON 6/12/2002. SINCE THAT POINT WE HAVE HAD AN ADDITIONAL 14 FAILURES, AND 1 MORE ACCIDENT. TRW THE MANUFACTURER OF THE STEERING GEAR BOX HAS NOT MADE ANY EFFORT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE. PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER, [XXX]. BILL OF TRIDENT ENGINEERING IN ANNAPOLIS, MD HAS ADVISED US WE SHOULD REPORT EACH FAILURE. HE FEELS THERE IS A SUBSTANTIAL THREAT TO PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. IT APPEARS THE PROBLEM IS "LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST WHEN…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 770204 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10135685 · 2005-09-07 (September 7, 2005)

CLUTCH WOULD NOT RELEASE, CHECKED AND FOUND DISC COMING APART THIS IS A STANDARD TRANSMISSION WITH AUTO SHIFT TOP HOUSING. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 219,228 miles reported. Look up ODI 10135685 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10135872 · 2005-09-08 (September 8, 2005)

TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT AT TIMES, HAS AUTO SHIFT TOP HOUSING, CHECK AND FOUND CLUTCH WOULD NOT RELEASE AT TIMES, REPLACE CLUTCH . WORKS FINE NOW. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 231,929 miles reported. Look up ODI 10135872 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10348226 · 2010-08-09 (August 9, 2010)

2008 CAT C15 ACERT ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. WE HAVE 3 OF THESE UNITS IN CLASS 8 TRUCKS ALL HAVE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE EXHAUST TREATMENT SYSTEM ALL HAVE BEEN IN FOR REPAIR MANY TIMES. WHEN THE SYSTEM FAILS THE ENGINE DERATES POWER CAUSING A TRAFFIC PROBLEM DUE TO SLOW MOVING VEHICLE ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, SOON AFTER IT DERATES THE ENGINE WILL SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY AGAIN A SAFETY ISSUE WITH A STALLED CLASS 8 VEHICLE STOPPED ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 330,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10348226 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10207182 · 2007-10-24 (October 24, 2007)

2005 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA CAUGHT FIRE IN THE DASHBOARD DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL DEFECT. *KB (OHIIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT)*JB

Owner-reported narrative. 193,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10207182 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10279432 · 2009-08-05 (August 5, 2009)

2007 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA DASH BOARD INSTRUMENT UNIT OWN TRUCK FOR 3 YEARS AND I AM ON MY 3RD ONE, AND LOW VOLTGE SHUT DOWN, SHUTS DOWN ALL NON PRIMARY ELECTRICAL STUFF, THEY FREIGHTLINER DISCONNECTED IT AND ITS NEVER BEEN FIX, CAUSE THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, I THINK THAT THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR TRUCK. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10279432 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10244649 · 2008-10-07 (October 7, 2008)

PERSONAL FRIEND/TRUCK DRIVER WAS DRIVING 2004 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA WITH MERCEDES ENGINE ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. OTHER MOTORIST SAW HIM DRIVING ERRATICALLY, AND CALLED POLICE. DASH CAMERA RECORDS HIM WEAVING IN THE ROAD AND FINALLY VEERING INTO ONCOMING LANE, CRASHING INTO CONCRETE BARRIER. IMPACT WITH THE WALL CAUSES FUEL TANK TO SEPARATE FROM CAB, CAUSING SMALL FIRE WHICH DID NOT BURN DRIVER OR CAB. DRIVER WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. AUTOPSY REVEALED SIGNIFICANTLY HIGH LEVEL OF CO IN BLOOD (61-65 %), BUT NO HEART ATTACK OR STROKE OR…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10244649 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

From yearThrough year

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2005: 14; 2006: 21; 2007: 27; 2008: 30; 2009: 20; 2010: 18; 2011: 13; 2012: 6; 2013: 5; 2014: 5; 2015: 3; 2016: 3; 2017: 3; 2018: 2; 2019: 3; 2020: 2; 2021: 1

First model yearSecond model year

Year-by-year records

Freightliner COLUMBIA model-year comparison
Model year	Complaints	Recalls	Change in recalls
1997	0	1	Not available
1998	0	2	+1
1999	0	2	0
2000	1	3	+1
2001	3	1	-2
2002	2	3	+2
2003	10	5	+2
2004	13	10	+5
2005	38	14	+4
2006	14	21	+7
2007	11	27	+6
2008	1	30	+3
2009	2	20	-10
2010	1	18	-2
2011	0	13	-5
2012	0	6	-7
2013	0	5	-1
2014	0	5	0
2015	0	3	-2
2016	0	3	0
2017	0	3	0
2018	0	2	-1
2019	0	3	+1
2020	0	2	-1
2021	0	1	-1

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

96 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

64.6%Usable mileage62 / 96 records

99.0%Valid incident date95 / 96 records

100.0%Valid filing date96 / 96 records

99.0%Ordered incident and filing dates95 / 96 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Power Train:Clutch Assembly	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 10348226 · 330,000 mi 2008 CAT C15 ACERT ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. WE HAVE 3 OF THESE UNITS IN CLASS 8 TRUCKS ALL HAVE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE EXHAUST TREATMENT SYSTEM ALL HAVE BEEN IN FOR REPAIR MANY TIMES. WHEN THE SYSTEM FAILS THE ENGINE DERATES POWER CAUSING A TRAFFIC PROBLEM DUE TO SLOW MOVING VEHICLE ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, SOON AFTER IT DERATES THE ENGINE WILL SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY AGAIN A SAFETY ISSUE WITH A STALLED CLASS 8 VEHICLE STOPPED ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. *TR Look up ODI 10348226 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Clutch Assembly:Bell Housing	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Tires	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System	19.1% ODI 10279432 2007 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA DASH BOARD INSTRUMENT UNIT OWN TRUCK FOR 3 YEARS AND I AM ON MY 3RD ONE, AND LOW VOLTGE SHUT DOWN, SHUTS DOWN ALL NON PRIMARY ELECTRICAL STUFF, THEY FREIGHTLINER DISCONNECTED IT AND ITS NEVER BEEN FIX, CAUSE THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, I THINK THAT THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR TRUCK. *TR Look up ODI 10279432 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	19.1% ODI 10320468 · 413,238 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA. UPON ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STARTER AND POWER STEERING PUMP IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 413,238. Look up ODI 10320468 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve)	218.2% ODI 10182468 · 1 mi THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING THE CAB OF A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE. *JB Look up ODI 10182468 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Power Train:Clutch Assembly	167,040–199,179 mi	183,729 mi	19	ODI 10129598 · 206,407 mi CLUTCH EXPLODE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND LOCKED TRUCK IN GEAR AND FRAGMENTS WENT THOUGHT THE BELL HOUSING. COULD HAVE HIT OTHER AUTOS ON HGHWAY OR COULD HAVE SENT FRAGMENT INTO CAB OF TRUCK AND INJURED OR KILLED DRIVER. Look up ODI 10129598 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10135556 · 185,011 mi CLUTCH WAS HARD TO RELEASE, CHECK AND FOUND CLUTCH WAS COMING APART. REPLACE CLUTCH,EVERYTHING WORKS FINE NOW. *NM Look up ODI 10135556 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10129790 · 148,691 mi DRIVER COULD NOT GET CLUTCH TO RELEASE, SENT TO SHOP THEY FOUND THE CLUTCH HAD EXPLODED IN BELL HOUSING REMOVE AND REPLACE CLUTCH. Look up ODI 10129790 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System	150,743–300,000 mi	291,569 mi	8	ODI 10159539 · 300,000 mi SUSPECT CARBON MONOXIDE ENTERING THROUGH VENTS MAKING ME ILL HAVING HEADACHES ,EYE INFECTIONS AND CHEST PAINS SHORTNESS OF BREATH, FATIGUE BLURRED VISION. CHECKED LEVELS OF CARBON MONOXIDE UP TO 31, COMING THROUGH AIR VENTS. JB Look up ODI 10159539 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10159540 · 300,000 mi HAVING HEALTH ISSUES, HEADACHES, BLURRED VISION, INFECTION IN EYE, FATIGUE, HARD BREATHING, CHEST PAINS, DID TEST FOR CARBON MONOXIDE LEVELS OF 31,J UST SITTING, NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND WHILE TESTING. BEEN ILL FOR A LONG TIME. CAN TASTE THE FUMES COMING IN. THESE FUMES COMING THROUGH THE AIR CONDITION VENTS. MERCEDES ENGINE. JB Look up ODI 10159540 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10171541 · 287,737 mi HAVE FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA WITH AN MBE 4000 MERCEDES. HAD FLEX PIPE THAT WAS CRACKED LETTING IN CO FUMES. HAD THIS REPLACED BUT AM STILL GETTING LOW LEVELS OF CARBON MONOXIDE IN TRUCK. IT SEAMS TO BE COMING IN THROUGH THE AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATER VENTS. JFB. *NM Look up ODI 10171541 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Clutch Assembly:Bell Housing	148,685–168,253 mi	152,510 mi	7	ODI 10129727 · 152,510 mi CLUTCH EXPLODE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND LOCKED TRUCK IN GEAR AND FRAGMENTS WENT THOUGHT THE BELL HOUSING. COULD HAVE HIT OTHER AUTOS ON HGHWAY OR COULD HAVE SENT FRAGMENT INTO CAB OF TRUCK AND INJURED OR KILLED DRIVER.DRIVER HAD TRUCK LOCKED IN GEAR AND WAS LUCKY TO GET TRUCK STOPED BEFORE HITTING OTHER CARS Look up ODI 10129727 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10129748 · 144,860 mi CLUTCH WOULD NOT RELEASE, AND THEN MADE LOUD POPING SOUND, THEN IT STARTING WORKING, GOT INTO OUR SHOP CHECK OUT FOUND IT HAD BLEW A HOLE IN CLUTCH HOUSING, PARTS OF CLUTCH DISC, CAME APART.R&R CLUCTH AND FLYWHEEL,WE KEPT OLD PARTS HERE.THE PART THAT CAME OUT OF DISC, HIT HIGHWAY SOMEWHERE. Look up ODI 10129748 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10129756 · 152,510 mi CLUCTH MAKING ALOT OF NOISE HARD TO GET INTO GEAR, CHECK, AND FOUND THE PIECE IN CLUCTH DISC PART WAY STUCK OUT OF DISC. REPLACE CLUTCH ASSY, CAUGHT THIS ONE BEFORE DISC CAME APART Look up ODI 10129756 at NHTSA ↗
Tires	Too few reports for a range	261,563 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10125343 · 36,000 mi DT: THE TIRE BLEW OUT. JUST DID A WALK AROUND 2 MILES BEFORE, THE TRAILER WAS EMPTY. THE TIRE WENT COMPLETELY OFF THE RIM AND OFF INTO THE BRUSH. NO TRUCK DAMAGE BUT THE RIM IS NOT USABLE.AK Look up ODI 10125343 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10537529 · 487,125 mi STEER TIRE PEALED APART, 3 MONTHS OLD APPROXIMATELY 5K MILES, ON A 2006 FREIGHTLINER 3 AXLE TRACTOR. THREE OTHER TIRES ON THREE OTHER TRACTORS WITH THE SAME BRAND TIRE ALSO PEALED APART. SHOULD BE RECALLED EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD. TR Look up ODI 10537529 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	Too few reports for a range	510,363 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10207182 · 193,000 mi 2005 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA CAUGHT FIRE IN THE DASHBOARD DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL DEFECT. KB (OHIIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT)JB Look up ODI 10207182 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10514193 · 827,725 mi THE POWER WIRE COMING FROM THE ALTERNATOR (APPROX. 4 GAUGE WIRE CABLE & ENCASED IN PROTECTIVE SLEEVE), WEARS THRU BY RUBBING ON THE WIRES SUPPORT ASSEMBLY EXPOSING THE WIRE. THE WIRE SUPPORT ASSEMBLY LOCATED ON THE TRUCKS UNDERSIDE, THERE ARE (2) TWO INDIVIDUAL WIRE SUPPORTS, BOTH OF THESE ASSEMBLIES ARE RUBBING AT BOTH LOCATIONS EXPOSING THE POWER WIRE IN TWO PLACES. CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE HAZARD. *TR Look up ODI 10514193 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Too few reports for a range	219,626 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10235968 · 26,014 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA. PRIOR TO DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED AN OIL LEAK, COOLANT LEAK, INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAK, AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY 15 TIMES FOR ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO LEAKS AND OTHER ENGINE WORK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKET TWICE, THE ACM SCREW, THE HEAD GASKET FOUR TIMES, THE EGR VALVE, AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 357,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,014. Look up ODI 10235968 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10320468 · 413,238 mi TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA. UPON ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STARTER AND POWER STEERING PUMP IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 413,238. Look up ODI 10320468 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control	Too few reports for a range	331,731 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10043867 · 30,000 mi FUMES COMING INTO CAB, 2003,FREIGHTLINER,COLUMBIA,RELATED EGR VALVE LEAKING ENTS FROM DASH. AK Look up ODI 10043867 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10172048 · 633,461 mi 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 HRS BEHIND THE WHEEL START GETTING TIRED AGAIN, SOMETHINGS NOT RIGHT, THIS ISN'T SAFE, HOW COME DRIVERS AREN'T BEING TOLD ABOUT THIS. NM Look up ODI 10172048 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve)	Too few reports for a range	1 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10146240 · 1,500 mi MY COMPANY HAS TAKEN DELIVERY OF 3 OF 10 NEW 2006 COLUMBIA FREIGHTLINER TRACTORS WITH 70 INCH SLEEPERS. ALL ARE EQUIPPED WITH MBE 4000 ENGINES WITH EGR. ALL 3 THE DRIVERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF EXHAUST FUMES IN THE CAB AT VARIOUS TIMES. ONE DRIVER STARTED HIS TRUCK AND WENT INSIDE THE OFFICE TO DO SOME PAPERWORK HE RETURNED APPROX 20 MINS LATER CLIMBED INTO HIS TRUCK AND HE NOTICED A SLIGHT SMELL OF EXHAUST IN THE CAB. HE TURNED ON HIS HEATER AND WAS OVERCOME WITH EXHAUST FUMES THAT LEAD TO HIS EMERGENCY ROOM VISIT FOR CO POISONING. THIS HAPPENED … Look up ODI 10146240 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10182468 · 1 mi THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING THE CAB OF A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE. JB Look up ODI 10182468 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10182470 · 1 mi I AM A COMPANY DRIVER AND HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING OF EXHAUST FUMES IN THE TRUCK. I HAVE BEEN SLEEPING MUCH MORE THAN NORMAL 12 - 14 HRS A DAY NOW, WAKE UP SLOW WITH SICK FEELING AND VERY BAD HEADACHES. MY MEMORY AND CONCENTRATION HAVE BECOME DIMINISHED, ALONG WITH A RISE IN BLOOD PRESSURE. JB Look up ODI 10182470 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2020: 0 complaints · 2021: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2020	0	0	0
2021	0	0	0

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2020	0	0	0
2021	0	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Power Train:Clutch Assembly	Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System	Power Train:Clutch Assembly:Bell Housing	Tires	Electrical System	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control	Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve)
Power Train:Clutch Assembly	—	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System	0	—	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 10168570 WHILE DRIVING EYES START TO BURN, STARTED GETTING TIRED AFTER 4 HOURS, FUMES COMING FROM AIR CONDITION VENTS, WHILE AIR CONDITION WAS ON, ALSO FILM ON WINDOWS. I DON'T SMOKE. SUSPECT EXHAUST FUMES. ALSO WITH COTTON SWAB COULD PICK UP SOOT DEPOSITS ON AIR VENTS. *JB Look up ODI 10168570 at NHTSA ↗	0
Power Train:Clutch Assembly:Bell Housing	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Tires	0	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Electrical System	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control	0	1 ODI 10168570 WHILE DRIVING EYES START TO BURN, STARTED GETTING TIRED AFTER 4 HOURS, FUMES COMING FROM AIR CONDITION VENTS, WHILE AIR CONDITION WAS ON, ALSO FILM ON WINDOWS. I DON'T SMOKE. SUSPECT EXHAUST FUMES. ALSO WITH COTTON SWAB COULD PICK UP SOOT DEPOSITS ON AIR VENTS. *JB Look up ODI 10168570 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	—	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

2 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

3 mentions · 3.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 330,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 770204

Look up ODI 770204 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10011381

THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, AND LOCKED IN THE GEAR IT WAS IN. *JB

Look up ODI 10011381 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10348226 · 330,000 mi

Look up ODI 10348226 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Steering assistance concerns

3 mentions · 3.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 413,238 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 770204

Look up ODI 770204 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10169098

2006 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. *KB THE VEHICLE'S POWER STEERING HOSE BROKE CAUSING THE FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONSUMER USED THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. *NM

Look up ODI 10169098 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10320468 · 413,238 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA. UPON ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STARTER AND POWER STEERING PUMP IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 413,238.

Look up ODI 10320468 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b