RoadVitals

2003 Freightliner Business Class

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
7
Latest Feb 4, 2015
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Jun 7, 2004
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Freightliner Business Class, most frequently naming the engine, tires & wheels and body & structure categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 7 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine233.3%
  • Tires & wheels233.3%
  • Body & structure116.7%
  • Fuel system116.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
04V272000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

Jun 7, 2004
9,602 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS BUILT WITH 8,000 OR 6,000 POUND FRONT AXLES AND FOUR-PIECE SPINDLE NUT SETS, PREMATURE FRONT ,WHEEL BEARING WEAR MAY BE CAUSED BY INCONSISTENT BEARING ENDPLAY ADJUSTMENT.
The risk: IF ALLOWED TO PROGRESS, THE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The remedy: THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AXLE OIL SEALS AND HUB CAP GASKETS ON BOTH SIDES. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
FREIGHTLINER LLCManufacturer number FL-424View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Tires & wheels
Filed Feb 4, 2015
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS EQUIPPED WITH KELLY CHARGER HPT TIRES, SIZE 275/70R/24.5 (NA). THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE TWO FRONT TIRES BLEW OUT. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A WALL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10681167
Incident
Nov 30, 2014
Mileage
1,500,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 2, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FREIGHT LINER M2 BUSINESS CLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, GASOLINE LEAKED FROM THE TRUCK AND ONTO THE UNDER CARRIAGE. THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE HIGHER PRESSURE FUEL LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TRUCK WAS REPAIRED BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000....UPDATED 09/18//13 *BF

NHTSA ID
10533306
Incident
Mar 15, 2004
Mileage
5,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 6, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BUSINESS CLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPAIR FOR THE NHTSA RECALL, CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V418000, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS PERFORMED ON HIS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE EGR ASSEMBLY WAS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED WHEN THE RECALL REPAIR WAS DONE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 50,000.

NHTSA ID
10341670
Incident
Jun 5, 2010
Mileage
50,000 mi
Filed Jun 22, 2010

DAIMLER VANS, LLC SAFETY RECALL 2010-040002 CALLED FREIGHTLINER DEALER IN OAK CREEK, WI (TRUCK COUNTRY, INC.) THEY HAVE NO INFORMATION AND CANNOT DO THE REPAIR ACCORDING TO THE SAFETY RECALL. I TRIED CALLING DAIMLER AND LISTENED TO MUSIC ON HOLD FOR 40 MINUTES. I GOT NOWHERE WITH THEM! *TR

NHTSA ID
10339607
Incident
Jun 21, 2010
Mileage
94,889 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 13, 2007
1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING 2003 FRIEGHTLINER SPRINTER ON TWO OCCASIONS WAS OVERCOME WITH NOXIOUS FUMES, RESULTING IN CARBON MONOXIDE POSIONING THAT REQURIED A EMERGENCY VISIT TO THE HOSPITAL. VAN HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE AND CONTINUES TO HAVE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A COMPANY VAN .

NHTSA ID
10196320
Incident
Jun 22, 2007
Mileage
137,336 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 3, 2005

CONTACT STATES: THAT DOOR BLEW OPEN WHILE DRIVING. ELECTRIC DOOR FOR PASSENGERS FREIGHT LINER SPRINTER 2003. BRAUN CONVERSION FOR WHEELS CHAIRS. HAS ELECTRIC DOOR THAT HAS NO LATCH TO CLOSE AND THERE IS GAP IN THE DOOR,1/2 INCH. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DODGE DEALER THAT IT IS WAS THE CONVERSION PART FOR BRAUN THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. AND TO TAKE IT TO A PLACE THAT WORKS ON CONVERSIONS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WAITHER BODY SHOP 562-447-1256 FOR REPAIRS. REPAIR COST IS UNKNOWN, UNDERWRITTEN BY BRAUN CORPORATION. INCLUDES UPGRADE TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. *TT *NM

NHTSA ID
10118837
Incident
Apr 26, 2005
Mileage
10,319 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed May 3, 2005

CONTACT STATES: JULY 27,2004, HAD A TIRE BLOW OUT ON THE REAR TIRE ON THE VAN. THE MUD FLAP BLEW OFF AND THERE WAS DAMAGE DONE TO THE WHEEL WELL. TOOK VEHICLE TO BARNETTE TIRE SERVICE, AND THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BLOW OUT WAS DUE TO THE TIRE VALVE. NOW THERE HAS BEEN TIRE VALVE RECALL. *AK

NHTSA ID
10119524
Incident
Jul 27, 2004

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

sb2028

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

sb2028 Engine Coolant Changes

sb2032

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

sb2032 Gates PowerGrip Hose Clamps, Replacement

sb2056

POWER TRAIN

sb2056 Transmission Oil Line Removal and Installation

sb2057

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

sb2057 New Surge Tank Design

SB-20-64

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

FREIGHTLINER: FAN CLUTCH NUTS. ALWAYS USE NEW NYLOC NUTS WHEN INSTALLING THE ENGINE COOLING FAN ON A BORG WARNER (KYSOR) FAN CLUTCH. FAILURE MAY LEAD TO A LOOSE OR LOST FAN, AND DAMAGE TO THE FAN CLUTCH OR TRUCK. *PE

SB-31-25

SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE

FREIGHTLINER: AIRLINER SUSPENSION SIX PIECE BOLTED SERVICE CROSSMEMBER. THE SIX PIECE BOLTED SERVICE CROSSMEMBERS ARE AN IMPROVED, MORE DURABLE SERVICE REPLACEMENT FOR FIVE PIECE WELDED CROSSMEMBERS, OR BOLTED FIVE PIECE SERVICE CROSSMEMBERS, USED WITH STEEL FRAME RAILS. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE UPDATED 1/13/10. *PE

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Freightliner Business Class by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2003Viewing710—
2002050—
2001060—
2000190—
1999150—
1998051—
1997261—
1996051—
1995240—
1994030—
1993020—
1992020—
1991020—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.