RoadVitals

2003 Freightliner Century

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.
4
Latest Apr 22, 2025
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.
2
Latest May 4, 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

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Freightliner Century, most frequently naming the tires & wheels, driver assistance and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1 manufacturer communication is 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

  • Tires & wheels250.0%
  • Driver assistance125.0%
  • Engine125.0%

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

2 campaigns 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
04V205000

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

May 4, 2004
14,000 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION, THE TAPERED JOINT THAT ATTACHES THE SHIFTER TO THE TRANSMISSION MAY BECOME LOOSE MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO GEAR.
The risk: IF SHIFT LEVER DETACHMENT OCCURS, THA ABILITY RO ACCELERATE OT MAINTAIN SPEED WILL BE LOST, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-SECURE THE SHIFT LEVER TO THE TRANSMISSION USING THREADLOCK AND RE-TORQUING THE FASTENING BOLT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 21, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
FREIGHTLINER LLCManufacturer number FL-420View on NHTSA.gov
03V500000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

Dec 4, 2003
400 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AIR BRAKES, THE PLASTIC PUSH-TO-CONNECT AIR LINE FITTING CARTRIDGE COULD BE IMPROPERLY WELDED INTO THE NYLON JUNCTION BLOCK HOUSING ALLOWING AN AIR LINE TO BECOME DISCONNECTED.
The risk: THIS COULD LEAD TO REDUCED BRAKE CONTROL, LOSS OF SERVICE BRAKE CONTROL, OR THE EMERGENCY BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY APPLYING, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW CAB AIR MANIFOLD. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON JANUARY 21, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 800-547-0712.
FREIGHTLINER LLCManufacturer number FL-418View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Tires & wheels
Filed Apr 22, 2025

The contact owns a 2003 Freightliner Century CST120 equipped with Yokohama Tires, Tire Line: TY517MC2, Tire Size: 295/75/R22, DOT Number: N/A. The contact stated that the tires had cracked on the sidewalls. The contact called a tire center which scheduled an appointment. The tires were not yet inspected. The manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle failure mileage was 200,000. The tire failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11656059
Incident
Apr 15, 2025
Mileage
200,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Dec 21, 2007

7 MONTH OLD STEER TIRE ON FREIGHTLINER TRUCK. TRAVELING AROUND 65 MPH VIBRATION STARTED AND BEFORE WE COULD FIGURE OUT FROM WHERE OR GET TO A SAFE SECTION OF THE ROAD, ALL THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. ALL THE TREAD AND SEVERAL FAIRLY LARGE PARTS FROM THE TRUCK FLEW OFF. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS IN THE WAY. THIS WAS A FIRESTONE FS 507 295/75 R 22.5 DOT WI BT 3PT 1207. THE TIRE STILL HAD 99 LBS OF AIR. I HAD TO PURCHASE A TIRE AND 1100.00 IN PARTS TO SAFELY OPERATE TRUCK. WE CANT GET A STRAIGHT ANSWER FROM FIRESTONE OR THE TA. *TR

NHTSA ID
10212530
Incident
Dec 12, 2007
Engine
Filed Dec 22, 2005
Fire reported

2003 FREIGHTLINER CENTURY CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *TS *NM

NHTSA ID
10146439
Incident
Jun 19, 2005
Driver assistance
Filed Apr 20, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. SINCE JANUARY 2004 CONSUMER WAS SCARED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. *AK *LA

NHTSA ID
10063577
Incident
Mar 22, 2004
Mileage
12,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

sb2057

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

sb2057 New Surge Tank Design

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 Century by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2013011—
2012021—
2011091—
20100112—
20090122—
2008192—
2007093—
2006684—
2005222—
2004232—
2003Viewing420—
2002011—
2001442—
2000156259.3
1999672—
1998952—
1997441—
1996071—
1995020—

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.