2006 Freightliner CENTURY: complaints, problems and recalls

JUST GOT A 2006 FREIGHTLINER CENTURY WITH 14L 60 SERIES DETRIOT, TURBO CLAMP WAS LOOSE, BOTH FLEX PIPES LEAKED WITHIN 2 MONTHS, EXHAUST MANIFOLD ON ENGINE WOULD NOT SEAL, CLAMPS ON INTAKE ON LEFT SIDE OF ENGINE WERE LOOSE CREATING EXHAUST LEAK. NEW MANIFOLD WILL NOT SEAL. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 23 miles reported. Look up ODI 10157945 at NHTSA ↗

FREIGHTLINER CENTURY WITH 14L 60 SERIES ENGINE HAS HAD EXHAUST MANIFOLD REPLACED TWICE. BOTH NEW MANIFOLDS STILL LEAKING EXHAUST. CANNOT CLOSE VENTS IN TRUCK. NO OPTION TO CLOSE VENTS ON SWITCH PANEL. EXHAUST COMING INTO CAB. CLEAN AIR INTAKE FOR CAB IS UNDER THE HOOD IN THE DIRECT LINE OF MANIFOLD LEAKAGE. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10158761 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FREIGHTLINER. IN SEPTEMBER 2006 THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SRS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE FAILURE WAS A COMPUTER GLITCH, AND REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER. THE SRS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN IN DECEMBER 2006. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE TENSIONER AND THE AIR BAGS. IN FEBRUARY 2007 THE FAILURE RECURRED ONCE AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE CLOCK SPRING/STEERING SENSOR WAS REPLACED. IN MARCH 2007 THE FAILURE RECURRED, AND THE DEALER PERFORMED A SERVICE INVOLVING THE AIR BAG MODU…

Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10189241 at NHTSA ↗

BEEN IN THIS FREIGHTLINER,CENTURY, WITH DETROIT POWER, HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING HEADACHES(SEVERE) SINUS ISSUES,CAN SMELL EXHAUST IN TRUCK,TIRED ALL THE TIME,EYES BOTHERING ME, DRY THROAT,BEEN THIS TRUCK FOR 3 MONTHS NOW. SUSPECT FUMES COMING FROM AIR VENTS, CANT SHUT IT OFF. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 257,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10209834 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FREIGHTLINER CENTURY. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR AN UNRELATED FAILURE WHEN THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN TWO RECALLS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 07V473000: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: COOLING SYSTEM: RADIATOR ASSEMBLY AND 09V357000: STEERING: RACK AND PINION). THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE PARTS NEEDED TO MAKE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO OBTAIN ANY INFORMATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER AS TO WHEN…

Owner-reported narrative. 145,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10345839 at NHTSA ↗

I PURCHASED TRUCK 11/2010 TRUCK DROVE FINE FOR THE FIRST YR. PULLING VERY LIGHT FREIGHT ALWAYS THE TRUCK BECAME VERY HARD TO CONTROL. TRUCK DANCES, HOPS, BOUNCE ETC. I HAVE HAD SUSPENSION WORK DONE AND THE PROB HAS NOT IMPROVED. I DON'T GET IRREGULAR TIRE WEAR NO PHYSICAL SIGNS THAT CAN BE SEEN, JUST POOR PERFORMANCE. I WOULD NOT BUY ANOTHER ONE. THE ENGINE/ TRANS, NO COMPLAINTS, ONLY THE DRIVABILITY. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 850,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10667201 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2005-12-06 (December 6, 2005)

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND MOTOR HOME CHASSIS, THE TOP FLANGE OF THE FRONT AXLE I-BEAM MAY FATIGUE AND FRACTURE.

Consequence: DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2006, FOR PHASE I. PHASE 2 WILL BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2006. THIS RECALL IS BEING CONDUCTED IN TWO PHASES. PHASE I WILL REPLACE THE COMPLETE AXLE ASSEMBLY; AND PHASE II WILL REPLACE THE AXLE BEAM AND STEERING KNUCKLES. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2007-04-12 (April 12, 2007)

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS BUILT WITH FRONT AXLES ASSEMBLED BY ARVINMERITOR, THE FRONT SPINDLE NUT MAY BE OVER-TIGHTENED CAUSING PRELOAD ON THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WHICH COULD LEAD TO PREMATURE BEARING WEAR.

Consequence: IF RAPID BEARING WEAR IS ALLOWED TO PROGRESS, THE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT HUB INSTALLATION FOR CORRECT BEARING ADJUSTMENT. IF THE BEARING ADJUSTMENT IS INCORRECT, THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WILL BE REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 28, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-385-4357.

Reported: 2009-09-16 (September 16, 2009)

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 29, 2005 THROUGH JULY 3, 2009. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITION, THE LEFT HAND INNER TIE ROD END MAY LOOSEN OVER TIME AND IF NOT CORRECTED, POTENTIALLY SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING RACK.

Consequence: A SEPARATED TIE ROD ASSEMBLY CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE VEHICLES WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2009-10-06 (October 6, 2009)

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2010 HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 17, 2006 AND MARCH 31, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH EPA07 MODEL MBE4000 ENGINES BUILT WITH PLASTIC LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINES. THE PLASTIC LINES MAY EXPERIENCE LEAKS DUE TO FATIGUE CRACKS CAUSED BY STRESS AND VIBRATION COMBINED WITH HIGH INTERNAL PRESSURE.

Consequence: IF A DIESEL FUEL LEAK CONTINUES UNDETECTED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS FUEL MAY IGNITE ON A HOT ENGINE SURFACE AND/OR FUEL MAY SPILL ON THE ROAD INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED BY DETROIT DIESEL CORPORATION AUTHORIZED REPAIR FACILITIES AND DIRECT WARRANTY CUSTOMERS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 7, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2011-03-03 (March 3, 2011)

DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2011 FREIGHTLINER, CASCADIA, CENTURY, COLUMBIA FLD, AND M2, STERLING 9500, AND WESTERN STAR 4900 HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 20, 2006, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH SPECIFIC MBE4000 EPA07 MODEL ENGINES. THE INTAKE AIR GRID HEATER MAY SHORT CIRCUIT AND FAIL DUE TO EXCESSIVE INTERNAL TEMPERATURES.

Consequence: A SHORT CIRCUITED GRID HEATER COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE AND INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: DTNA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE RECALL DURING MARCH 2011. ANOTHER NOTIFICATION WILL BE ISSUED ONCE THE REMEDY IS RELEASED. DTNA EXPECTS THE REMEDY TO BE AVAILABLE BY DECEMBER 1, 2011. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY DTNA DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DTNA TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-547-0712. THIS RECALL IS ASSCOCIATED WITH A PREVIOUS RECALL, CAMPAIGN NUMBER 10V-341.

Reported: 2011-09-08 (September 8, 2011)

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2012 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2, CASCADIA, CENTURY, COLUMBIA, CORONADO AND STERLING A-LINE VEHICLES BUILT WITH MERITOR WABCO ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) SYSTEM MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 15, 2005 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1, 2011. UNDER CERTAIN ROAD AND DRIVING CONDITIONS, VEHICLE BODY ROLL AND ROAD INCLINATION CHARACTERISTICS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT THE SLIP ANGLE CALCULATION OF THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) SYSTEM. THIS MIGHT CAUSE THE ESC TO PERCEIVE AN OVER STEERING SITUATION AND THEREFORE APPLY THE OUTER WHEEL BRAKE ON THE FRONT AXLE UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS PERCEIVED TO BE STABLE.

Consequence: IF THE DRIVER IS SLOW TO REACT DURING THIS ESC INTERVENTION, THE VEHICLE MAY DEVIATE FROM THE INTENDED LINE OF TRAVEL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ESC MODULE WITH THE APPROPRIATE SOFTWARE VERSION AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE MAILED ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 21, 2011. THE DATE FOR AVAILABILITY OF THE FINAL REMEDY IS SUBJECT TO VALIDATION TESTING AND PARTS AVAILABILITY. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 28, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2011-10-13 (October 13, 2011)

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.

Consequence: THE STEERING COULD UNEXPECTEDLY TURN LEFT OR RIGHT, MAKING THE VEHICLE MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL INSPECT THE LOWER BEARING FOR CORROSION. IF CORROSION IS FOUND, THE RACK AND PINION SYSTEM WILL BE REPLACED. IF NO CORROSION IS FOUND, ON THE BEARING, THE BEARING WILL BE PACKED WITH GREASE AND THE RUBBER BELLOWS WILL BE REPLACED WITH SEALANT ADDED BETWEEN THE BELLOWS AND THE RACK HOUSING. AN INTERIM LETTER WAS MAILED IN DECEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2012-02-28 (February 28, 2012)

DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2013 FREIGHTLINER, STERLING, AND WESTERN STAR VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH DETROIT DIESEL EPA07 AND EPA10, DD13 AND DD15/16 ENGINES, MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 20, 2006, THROUGH FEBRUARY 20, 2012. THE PUMP TO RAIL HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE SUPPORT SYSTEM USED ON THESE ENGINES IS SENSITIVE TO ASSEMBLY TORQUE AND MAY BE DAMAGED DURING SERVICE WORK. AS A RESULT OF OTHER REPAIRS, THE LINE SUPPORTS MAY LOOSEN, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO FUEL LINE CRACKING AND A FUEL LEAK.

Consequence: A FUEL LEAK COULD CREATE A ROAD HAZARD, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. ALSO A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DTNA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND WHERE NECESSARY, THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE SUPPORT SYSTEM WILL BE REPLACED BY DTNA AUTHORIZED SERVICE FACILITIES, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DTNA AT 1-800-547-0712.