Freightliner Columbia Complaints

96 consumer complaints on file.

#10129760July 22, 2005
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:BELL HOUSING
CLUCTH MAKING ALOT OF NOISE.AND HARD TO GET INTO GEAR, CHECK AND FOUND THE PIECE IN CLUTCH DISC PART WAY STUCK OUT OF DISC. REPLACED CLUTCH ASSY.CAUGHT THIS ONE BEFORE IT CAME APART.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10129598July 21, 2005
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10125343June 15, 2005
TIRES, TIRES:SIDEWALL, WHEELS:RIM
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10120286June 3, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
DT: FUMES COMING INSIDE EQUIPMENT THROUGH AIR VENTS OF TRUCK. THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER 3-4 DIFFERENT TIMES AND THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER FIXED. THESE FUMES CAUSED HEADACHES, NAUSEA,BURNING EYES, AND HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE. NOW, DIAGNOSED WITH COPD. HAVE TALKED TO OTHER DRIVERS AND SAME PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED.*AK THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED BECAUSE THE CONSUMER FELT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10122637May 23, 2005
STRUCTURE, VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
2005 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE TURN SIGNALS, THE EXTERIOR MIRRORS AND THE ABSENCE OF A HAND RAIL ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAB FOR EXITING THE CAB.*MR THE MIRRORS ON THE TRUCK VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY TO THE POINT WHERE THE DRIVER CANNOT SEE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THERE IS NOT WAY TO TIGHTEN THEM WITHOUT REPLACING THE ENTIRE UNIT. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE TURN SIGNAL SHOULD BE SELF CANCELING OR THAT THE AUDIBLE SIGNAL SOUND SHOULD BE LOUDER. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
0
#10065987April 12, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
OUR COMPANY HAS A FLEET OF 2004 FREIGHTLINERS COLUMBIA CABS SEMI-TRACTORS, WHILE I WAS IN OUR REPAIR SHOP THIS LAST WEEKEND, THEY HAD A TRUCK ISOLATED, BECAUSE A DRIVER HAD DIED IN IT. COD HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS POINT. WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL ROLLOVER ACCIDENTS IN THESE TRUCKS, AND I HAVE TALKED TO NUMEROUS DRIVERS ABOUT EXHAUST LEAKS. OUR COMPANY IS NOW IN THE PROCESS OF INSTALLING CARBON MONOCIDE DETECTORS IN THESE NEW TRUCKS. MY CONCERN IS, HOW MANY UNEXPLAINABLE ACCIDENTS ARE WE GONING TO HAVE BEFORE THESE PROBLEMS ARE RESOLVED. I DO NOT KNOW IF FREIGHTLINER IS MOVING FAST ENOUGH TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS AND ENDANGERMENT TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. I HOPE THE NHTSA IS ALREADY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND WORKING WITH THEM TO RESOLVE OR REMOVE THESE VEHICLES FROM OPERATIONS, UNTIL THE UNSAFE CONDITIONS ARE CORRECTED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
1
#10060999March 1, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING CAB ON A REGULAR BASIS WHICH WAS CAUSING ILLNESS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10058310February 17, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
EXHAUST FUMES COMING IN TO THE CAB THROUGH THE HEATER AIR CONDITION VENTS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH ALL THE FREIGHTLINER COLOMBIA MODEL TRUCKS WITH THE DETROIT DIESEL ENGINE THAT WALMART OWNS. ONE DRIVER SAID THAT HE PUT A CO DETECTOR IN HIS TRUCK AND IT WENT OFF MORE THAN ONCE. I PUT ONE IN MY TRUCK, BUT IT DID NOT GO OFF. WE HAVE HAD ONE DRIVER RUN OFF THE ROAD. HE SAID THAT HE GOT SO TIRED THAT HE COULD HARDLY KEEP HIS EYES OPEN. HE WAS CHECKED FOR HEART ATTACK AND STROKE AND NOTHING WAS FOUND. NOBODY EVER CHECKED HIM FOR CO. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10047752November 12, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK, THE CONSUMER WOULD SMELL A ROTTEN EGG ODOR COMING FROM THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. THE OWNER HAS MADE CONTACT WITH THE DEALERSHIP ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *PH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10043867October 29, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
FUMES COMING INTO CAB, 2003,FREIGHTLINER,COLUMBIA,RELATED EGR VALVE LEAKING ENTS FROM DASH. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10033748August 12, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITH NO WARNING VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF, CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. IT WILL BE HARD TO GET THE VEHICLE BACK STARTED.DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10028725July 21, 2003
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS
WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A GROUP OF 40 FREIGHTLINER TRACTORS IN OCTOBER 2002. TRACTORS WERE BUILT WITH AN H7 LOW BEAM HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. WE HAVE SINCE HAD MULTIPLE FAILURES OF THIS STYLE HEADLAMP AND HAVE HAD SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN BOTH HEADLAMPS BURNED OUT AT THE SAME TIME WHILE DRIVER WAS OPERATIONG VEHICLE IN DARKNESS. ALL DATA ON THIS LAMP THAT I CAN FIND, SHOWS A SERVICE LIFE IN THE 200 HOUR RANGE. MOST STANDARD HEADLAMPS ARE RATED FOR 1000+ HOURS. MOST USA APPLICATIONS FOR THIS H7 BULB ARE FOR THE FOG LAMP POSITION, NOT LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT. TRUCKS BUILT AFTER THIS GROUP HAVE BEEN FITTED WITH A DIFFERENT 9007 HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY WHICH WORKS JUST FINE. FREIGHTLINER REFUSES TO DISCUSS THE SAFETY ASPECTS OF THIS DESIGN. DRIVERS ARE NOW VERY CONCERNED ABOUT OPERATING VEHICLES AFTER DARK.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10011381March 11, 2003
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, AND LOCKED IN THE GEAR IT WAS IN. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#770204November 27, 2002
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
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 MAKING LEFT TURNS, USUALLY (BUT NOT ALWAYS) AT LOW SPEEDS". THE PROBLEMS SOUNDS JUST LIKE THE SUBJECT OF THE RECENT GM RECALL. OTHER FAILURES INCLUDE OUR UNIT 3612 - 2001 FREIGHT -[XXX] FAILED 07/24/02;OUR UNIT 3624-2001 FREIGHT-[XXX] FAILED 06/22/02; OUR UNIT 3728-2001 FREIGHT-[XXX] FAILED 07/25/02;OUR UNIT 3729-2001 FREIGHT-[XXX] FAILED 07/12/02;OUR UNIT 3956-2001 FREIGHT-[XXX] FAILED 08/18/02; OUR UNIT 3650-2001 FREIGHT-[XXX] FAILED 09/14/02; OUR UNIT 3568-2001 FREIGHT -[XXX] FAILED 09/21/02;OUR UNIT 3626-2001 FREIGHT -[XXX] FAILED10/05/02;OUR UNIT 3681-2001 FREIGHT-[XXX] FAILED10/06/02;OUR UNIT 3749-2001 FREIGHT -[XXX]-10/23/02;OUR UNIT 3776-2001 FREIGHT -[XXX]-10/25/02;OUR UNIT 3827-2001 FREIGHT -[XXX]-10/26/02. WE ARE ALSO AWARE OF APPROXIMATELY 15 ADDITIONAL FAILURES AT MISSISSIPPI FAST FREIGHT, ANOTHER MOTOR CARRIER. IN ALL 19 OF OUR FAILURES THE DRIVERS CLAIMED THEY COULD NOT TURN LEFT. IT IS OUR UNDERSTANDING THAT THE FAILURES AT THE OTHER CARRIER WERE THE SAME. DT INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#762991June 12, 2002
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
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
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#557105November 6, 2000
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
DEFECTIVE BRAKE (AXLE FIVE LEFT SIDE, PUSH ROD TRAVEL IS 1/4 INCH), BRAKE SHOES FAILE TO MOVE. NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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