U.S. public vehicle records

Freightliner FS-65 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

33 owner complaints analyzed

11 distinct recall campaigns

84,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1996 to 2006 model years. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 13 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Fuel System, Diesel is the most frequently named component, appearing in 21 of 33 complaints (63.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	4	12.1%
Steering behavior	3	9.1%
Engine operation	1	3.0%
Electrical and battery issues	1	3.0%

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.

Fuel System, Diesel

Structure:Frame And Members

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

Electrical System:Starter Assembly

Electrical System

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel

Fuel System, Other:Fuel Injection System

Seats

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Fuel System, Diesel	21
Structure:Frame And Members	4
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings	3
Electrical System:Starter Assembly	2
Electrical System	1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel	1
Fuel System, Other:Fuel Injection System	1
Seats	1

Fuel System, Diesel: 21; Structure:Frame And Members: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 3; Electrical System:Starter Assembly: 2; Electrical System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel: 1; Fuel System, Other:Fuel Injection System: 1; Seats: 1

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: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 2

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 20 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.

2003

2005

2006

2007

2012

2014

2015

2003: 3; 2005: 22; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2012: 4; 2014: 1; 2015: 1

Pattern summary

Fuel System, Diesel leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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 10049737 · 2003-12-15 (December 15, 2003)

STARTER GROUND STRAP RUBBED HOLE IN STEEL BRAKE LINE LOCATED NEAR THE STARTER. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE PRESSURE. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 56,581 miles reported. Look up ODI 10049737 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10049739 · 2003-12-15 (December 15, 2003)

STARTER GROUND STRAP RUBBED HOLE IN STEEL BRAKE LINE LOCATED NEAR THE STARTER. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE PRESSURE. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 20,879 miles reported. Look up ODI 10049739 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10449091 · 2012-02-23 (February 23, 2012)

NORTH CAROLINA PUBLIC SCHOOL BUS LOCATED IN MECKLENBURG COUNTY WAS IN ROUTE WITH SIX CHILDREN AND A DRIVER WHEN THE DRIVER SMELLED SMOKE AND SAW THE SMOKE COMING FROM THE AREA BELOW THE STEERING COLUMN. THE DRIVER STOPPED THE BUS IN A SAFE AREA AND IMMEDIATELY STARTED EVACUATION PROCEDURES AND SUCCESSFULLY UNLOADED THE CHILDREN TO A SAFE PLACE. WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 7 MINUTES AFTER EVACUATION FIRE WAS SEEN IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND PROCEEDED TO SPREAD THROUGH OUT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AREA AND THEN TO THE REAR OF THE BUS BODY. THE BUS…

Owner-reported narrative. 188,497 miles reported. Look up ODI 10449091 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10002108 · 2003-01-14 (January 14, 2003)

CONSUMER STATED THE ROOF LEAKS AND CAUSES UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE ROOF LEAKS WHEN IT RAINS. THE WATER DROPS INTO THE INTERIOR, ONTO THE DRIVERS CLOTHES, SEAT, STEERING WHEEL, AND VISION, MAKING IT WET AND IMPAIRED. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO SEEK HELP FROM THE DEALER/MANUFACTURER WITHOUT SUCCESS, AND BELIEVES THE ROOFING SYSTEM IS UNFIT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO BE REPAIRED. SCC *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 65 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002108 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10105924 · 2005-01-07 (January 7, 2005)

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 DISTRICT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING TOO MANY PROBLEMS WITH SENSORS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS COMING ON AND POWER DERATING WHEN OPERATING THESE ENGINES. A COMMON PROBLEM IS LIFT PUMP FAILURE CAUSING RETOACTIVE FAILURE TO THE INJECTION PUMP (CUMMINS NAME FOR THE IN…

Owner-reported narrative. 55,028 miles reported. Look up ODI 10105924 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.

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2005

2006

1996: 2; 1997: 3; 1998: 4; 1999: 7; 2000: 6; 2001: 4; 2002: 3; 2005: 1; 2006: 1

First model yearSecond model year

Year-by-year records

Freightliner FS-65 model-year comparison
Model year	Complaints	Recalls	Change in recalls
1996	0	2	Not available
1997	0	3	+1
1998	1	4	+1
1999	2	7	+3
2000	12	6	-1
2001	12	4	-2
2002	5	3	-1
2005	1	1	Not available
2006	0	1	0

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

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

39.4%Usable mileage13 / 33 records

100.0%Valid incident date33 / 33 records

100.0%Valid filing date33 / 33 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates33 / 33 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	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2005	2006
Fuel System, Diesel	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 10189571 · 84,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FREIGHTLINER FS-65. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84000. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT START. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT PREVIOUSLY THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING AND HE WAS UNABLE TO TO RESTART. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSFER PUMP AND/OR THE INJECTION PUMP SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR WAS MADE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CONTACT OWNED A FLEET OF EIGHTEEN VEHICLES THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE VIN WAS AVAILABLE FOR ONLY ONE OF THE VEHICLES. ON ALL OF … Look up ODI 10189571 at NHTSA ↗	12100.0% ODI 10130448 DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 AND 2001 FREIGHTLINERS. CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GET THE RECALL REPAIR WORK ON FUEL SYSTEM DONE BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT PAY THE DEALERSHIP ENOUGH TO DO THE REPAIR WORK. HAD 20 OF THESE VEHICLES, 2000-2001 YEAR MODELS. COULD DO DO THE REPAIRS THEMSELVES, BUT THEY COULD NOT DO FAST ENOUGH FOR THE VEHICLES TO BE DONE BEFORE SCHOOL STARTED. THE DEALER WILL NOT LET ANY OTHER PERSON HELP HIM TO GET THE REPAIR WORK DONE. THE COMPANY WASCOMMUNITY BUS SERVICES. *AK Look up ODI 10130448 at NHTSA ↗	866.7% ODI 10130469 DT:EDTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FREIGHTLINER. CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GET RECALL REPAIR WORK WORK ON FUEL SYSTEM DONE BECAUSE THE MANUFACTUREE WILL NOT PAY THE DEALERSHIP ENOUGH TO DO THE REPAIR WORK. HAD 20 OF THESE VEHICLES, 2000-2001 YEAR MODELS. COULD DO THE REPAIRS THEMSELVES, BUT THEY COULD NOT DO FAST ENOUGH FOR THE VEHICLES TO BE DONE BEFORE SCHOOL STARTED. THE DEALER WILL NOT LET ANY OF OTHER PERSON HELP HIM TO GET THE REPAIR WORK DONE. THE COMPANY WAS COMMUNITY BUS SERVICES.*AK Look up ODI 10130469 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.
Structure:Frame And Members	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 10137854 · 97,777 mi BROKEN FRAME ON 1999 FREIGHTLINER SCHOOL BUS/THOMAS BODY OVER RIGHT REAR AIR RIDE AT TORSION BAR MOUNT. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY UNDERGOING FRAME REPLACEMENT AT BODY SHOP. *NM Look up ODI 10137854 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	360.0% ODI 10476806 · 129,210 mi 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 THE LABOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,210. Look up ODI 10476806 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable 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.	325.0% ODI 10049737 · 56,581 mi STARTER GROUND STRAP RUBBED HOLE IN STEEL BRAKE LINE LOCATED NEAR THE STARTER. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE PRESSURE. *AK Look up ODI 10049737 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.
Electrical System:Starter Assembly	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable 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.	216.7% ODI 10049737 · 56,581 mi STARTER GROUND STRAP RUBBED HOLE IN STEEL BRAKE LINE LOCATED NEAR THE STARTER. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE PRESSURE. *AK Look up ODI 10049737 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.
Electrical System	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 10449091 · 188,497 mi NORTH CAROLINA PUBLIC SCHOOL BUS LOCATED IN MECKLENBURG COUNTY WAS IN ROUTE WITH SIX CHILDREN AND A DRIVER WHEN THE DRIVER SMELLED SMOKE AND SAW THE SMOKE COMING FROM THE AREA BELOW THE STEERING COLUMN. THE DRIVER STOPPED THE BUS IN A SAFE AREA AND IMMEDIATELY STARTED EVACUATION PROCEDURES AND SUCCESSFULLY UNLOADED THE CHILDREN TO A SAFE PLACE. WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 7 MINUTES AFTER EVACUATION FIRE WAS SEEN IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND PROCEEDED TO SPREAD THROUGH OUT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AREA AND THEN TO THE REAR OF THE BUS BODY. THE BUS… Look up ODI 10449091 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.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 10449091 · 188,497 mi NORTH CAROLINA PUBLIC SCHOOL BUS LOCATED IN MECKLENBURG COUNTY WAS IN ROUTE WITH SIX CHILDREN AND A DRIVER WHEN THE DRIVER SMELLED SMOKE AND SAW THE SMOKE COMING FROM THE AREA BELOW THE STEERING COLUMN. THE DRIVER STOPPED THE BUS IN A SAFE AREA AND IMMEDIATELY STARTED EVACUATION PROCEDURES AND SUCCESSFULLY UNLOADED THE CHILDREN TO A SAFE PLACE. WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 7 MINUTES AFTER EVACUATION FIRE WAS SEEN IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND PROCEEDED TO SPREAD THROUGH OUT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AREA AND THEN TO THE REAR OF THE BUS BODY. THE BUS… Look up ODI 10449091 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.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Fuel System, Other:Fuel Injection System	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable 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.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	120.0% ODI 10105924 · 55,028 mi 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 DISTRICT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING TOO MANY PROBLEMS WITH SENSORS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS COMING ON AND POWER DERATING WHEN OPERATING THESE ENGINES. A COMMON PROBLEM IS LIFT PUMP FAILURE CAUSING RETOACTIVE FAILURE TO THE INJECTION PUMP (CUMMINS NAME FOR THE IN… Look up ODI 10105924 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Seats	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable 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.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 10778337 · 140,000 mi SYNTECH SEAT BACKS ARE MADE TOO THIN. 23 OUT OF 26 OF THE SEATS ON THIS SCHOOL BUS ARE BROKEN. THESE SEAT BACKS ARE SPOT WELDED TO A TUBULAR FRAME AND THE THIN SHEET METAL SEAT BACK CRACKS AND SEPARATES FROM THE FRAME. IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN THE STATE SCHOOL BUS INSPECTOR WILL RED TAG THIS BUS BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT. Look up ODI 10778337 at NHTSA ↗	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
Fuel System, Diesel	Too few reports for a range	84,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10189571 · 84,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FREIGHTLINER FS-65. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84000. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT START. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT PREVIOUSLY THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING AND HE WAS UNABLE TO TO RESTART. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSFER PUMP AND/OR THE INJECTION PUMP SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR WAS MADE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CONTACT OWNED A FLEET OF EIGHTEEN VEHICLES THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE VIN WAS AVAILABLE FOR ONLY ONE OF THE VEHICLES. ON ALL OF … Look up ODI 10189571 at NHTSA ↗
Structure:Frame And Members	Too few reports for a range	113,494 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10137854 · 97,777 mi BROKEN FRAME ON 1999 FREIGHTLINER SCHOOL BUS/THOMAS BODY OVER RIGHT REAR AIR RIDE AT TORSION BAR MOUNT. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY UNDERGOING FRAME REPLACEMENT AT BODY SHOP. NM Look up ODI 10137854 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10476806 · 129,210 mi 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 THE LABOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,210. Look up ODI 10476806 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10476809 · 71,525 mi 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 LABOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,525. Look up ODI 10476809 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings	Too few reports for a range	56,581 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10049737 · 56,581 mi STARTER GROUND STRAP RUBBED HOLE IN STEEL BRAKE LINE LOCATED NEAR THE STARTER. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE PRESSURE. AK Look up ODI 10049737 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10049739 · 20,879 mi STARTER GROUND STRAP RUBBED HOLE IN STEEL BRAKE LINE LOCATED NEAR THE STARTER. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE PRESSURE. AK Look up ODI 10049739 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10155354 · 64,934 mi DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AT 35 MPH, THE PEDAL WOULD NOT COMPLETELY DEPRESS. THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT AS IF IT WAS "ROCK-HARD". THE BRAKES DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THREE YEARS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT A RECALL NOTIFICATION LETTER REGARDING THE ROTORS WAS RECEIVED FOR THIS VEHICLE AND THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED. HOWEVER, THE RECALL WORK DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE FREIGHTLINER RECALL #SF 258A-D. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT OFFER A SECOND REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE UNDER THE RECALL. UPDATED 07/25/06. … Look up ODI 10155354 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Starter Assembly	Too few reports for a range	38,730 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10049737 · 56,581 mi STARTER GROUND STRAP RUBBED HOLE IN STEEL BRAKE LINE LOCATED NEAR THE STARTER. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE PRESSURE. AK Look up ODI 10049737 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10049739 · 20,879 mi STARTER GROUND STRAP RUBBED HOLE IN STEEL BRAKE LINE LOCATED NEAR THE STARTER. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE PRESSURE. AK Look up ODI 10049739 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	Too few reports for a range	188,497 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10449091 · 188,497 mi NORTH CAROLINA PUBLIC SCHOOL BUS LOCATED IN MECKLENBURG COUNTY WAS IN ROUTE WITH SIX CHILDREN AND A DRIVER WHEN THE DRIVER SMELLED SMOKE AND SAW THE SMOKE COMING FROM THE AREA BELOW THE STEERING COLUMN. THE DRIVER STOPPED THE BUS IN A SAFE AREA AND IMMEDIATELY STARTED EVACUATION PROCEDURES AND SUCCESSFULLY UNLOADED THE CHILDREN TO A SAFE PLACE. WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 7 MINUTES AFTER EVACUATION FIRE WAS SEEN IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND PROCEEDED TO SPREAD THROUGH OUT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AREA AND THEN TO THE REAR OF THE BUS BODY. THE BUS… Look up ODI 10449091 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel	Too few reports for a range	188,497 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10449091 · 188,497 mi NORTH CAROLINA PUBLIC SCHOOL BUS LOCATED IN MECKLENBURG COUNTY WAS IN ROUTE WITH SIX CHILDREN AND A DRIVER WHEN THE DRIVER SMELLED SMOKE AND SAW THE SMOKE COMING FROM THE AREA BELOW THE STEERING COLUMN. THE DRIVER STOPPED THE BUS IN A SAFE AREA AND IMMEDIATELY STARTED EVACUATION PROCEDURES AND SUCCESSFULLY UNLOADED THE CHILDREN TO A SAFE PLACE. WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 7 MINUTES AFTER EVACUATION FIRE WAS SEEN IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND PROCEEDED TO SPREAD THROUGH OUT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AREA AND THEN TO THE REAR OF THE BUS BODY. THE BUS… Look up ODI 10449091 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel System, Other:Fuel Injection System	Too few reports for a range	55,028 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10105924 · 55,028 mi 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 DISTRICT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING TOO MANY PROBLEMS WITH SENSORS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS COMING ON AND POWER DERATING WHEN OPERATING THESE ENGINES. A COMMON PROBLEM IS LIFT PUMP FAILURE CAUSING RETOACTIVE FAILURE TO THE INJECTION PUMP (CUMMINS NAME FOR THE IN… Look up ODI 10105924 at NHTSA ↗
Seats	Too few reports for a range	140,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10778337 · 140,000 mi SYNTECH SEAT BACKS ARE MADE TOO THIN. 23 OUT OF 26 OF THE SEATS ON THIS SCHOOL BUS ARE BROKEN. THESE SEAT BACKS ARE SPOT WELDED TO A TUBULAR FRAME AND THE THIN SHEET METAL SEAT BACK CRACKS AND SEPARATES FROM THE FRAME. IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN THE STATE SCHOOL BUS INSPECTOR WILL RED TAG THIS BUS BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT. Look up ODI 10778337 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

2005: 0 complaints · 2006: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2005	0	0	0
2006	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
2005	1	0	0
2006	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	Fuel System, Diesel	Structure:Frame And Members	Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings	Electrical System:Starter Assembly	Electrical System	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel	Fuel System, Other:Fuel Injection System	Seats
Fuel System, Diesel	—	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Structure:Frame And Members	0	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings	0	0	—	2 ODI 10049737 · 56,581 mi STARTER GROUND STRAP RUBBED HOLE IN STEEL BRAKE LINE LOCATED NEAR THE STARTER. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE PRESSURE. AK Look up ODI 10049737 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10049739 · 20,879 mi STARTER GROUND STRAP RUBBED HOLE IN STEEL BRAKE LINE LOCATED NEAR THE STARTER. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE PRESSURE. AK Look up ODI 10049739 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0
Electrical System:Starter Assembly	0	0	2 ODI 10049737 · 56,581 mi STARTER GROUND STRAP RUBBED HOLE IN STEEL BRAKE LINE LOCATED NEAR THE STARTER. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE PRESSURE. AK Look up ODI 10049737 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10049739 · 20,879 mi STARTER GROUND STRAP RUBBED HOLE IN STEEL BRAKE LINE LOCATED NEAR THE STARTER. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE PRESSURE. AK Look up ODI 10049739 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	0	0
Electrical System	0	0	0	0	—	1 ODI 10449091 · 188,497 mi NORTH CAROLINA PUBLIC SCHOOL BUS LOCATED IN MECKLENBURG COUNTY WAS IN ROUTE WITH SIX CHILDREN AND A DRIVER WHEN THE DRIVER SMELLED SMOKE AND SAW THE SMOKE COMING FROM THE AREA BELOW THE STEERING COLUMN. THE DRIVER STOPPED THE BUS IN A SAFE AREA AND IMMEDIATELY STARTED EVACUATION PROCEDURES AND SUCCESSFULLY UNLOADED THE CHILDREN TO A SAFE PLACE. WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 7 MINUTES AFTER EVACUATION FIRE WAS SEEN IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND PROCEEDED TO SPREAD THROUGH OUT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AREA AND THEN TO THE REAR OF THE BUS BODY. THE BUS… Look up ODI 10449091 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 10449091 · 188,497 mi NORTH CAROLINA PUBLIC SCHOOL BUS LOCATED IN MECKLENBURG COUNTY WAS IN ROUTE WITH SIX CHILDREN AND A DRIVER WHEN THE DRIVER SMELLED SMOKE AND SAW THE SMOKE COMING FROM THE AREA BELOW THE STEERING COLUMN. THE DRIVER STOPPED THE BUS IN A SAFE AREA AND IMMEDIATELY STARTED EVACUATION PROCEDURES AND SUCCESSFULLY UNLOADED THE CHILDREN TO A SAFE PLACE. WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 7 MINUTES AFTER EVACUATION FIRE WAS SEEN IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND PROCEEDED TO SPREAD THROUGH OUT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AREA AND THEN TO THE REAR OF THE BUS BODY. THE BUS… Look up ODI 10449091 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0
Fuel System, Other:Fuel Injection System	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Seats	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

5 patterns with matching reports.

Battery drain and no-start mentions

1 mentions · 3.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 84,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10189571 · 84,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FREIGHTLINER FS-65. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84000. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT START. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT PREVIOUSLY THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING AND HE WAS UNABLE TO TO RESTART. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSFER PUMP AND/OR THE INJECTION PUMP SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR WAS MADE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CONTACT OWNED A FLEET OF EIGHTEEN VEHICLES THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE VIN WAS AVAILABLE FOR ONLY ONE OF THE VEHICLES. ON ALL OF …

Look up ODI 10189571 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Brake response concerns

1 mentions · 3.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 64,934 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10155354 · 64,934 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AT 35 MPH, THE PEDAL WOULD NOT COMPLETELY DEPRESS. THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT AS IF IT WAS "ROCK-HARD". THE BRAKES DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THREE YEARS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT A RECALL NOTIFICATION LETTER REGARDING THE ROTORS WAS RECEIVED FOR THIS VEHICLE AND THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED. HOWEVER, THE RECALL WORK DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE FREIGHTLINER RECALL #SF 258A-D. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT OFFER A SECOND REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE UNDER THE RECALL. UPDATED 07/25/06. *…

Look up ODI 10155354 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Stalling or loss of power

1 mentions · 3.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 55,028 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10105924 · 55,028 mi

Look up ODI 10105924 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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

Steering assistance concerns

1 mentions · 3.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 55,028 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10105924 · 55,028 mi

Look up ODI 10105924 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

1 mentions · 3.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 55,028 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10105924 · 55,028 mi

Look up ODI 10105924 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b