RoadVitals

2008 Freightliner Classic Xl

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
0
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.
10
Latest Apr 14, 2020
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.
1
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.
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Overview

Our database contains no NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Freightliner Classic Xl. 10 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 98 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.

Safety recalls

10 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

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Apr 14, 2020
63,175 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2006-2020 Freightliner Columbia, 2006-2021 Freightliner Business Class M2, 2007-2020 Freightliner Coronado, 2014-2021 Freightliner 122 SD, 2007 Sterling A 9500, 2006 Freightliner Argosy, 2006-2007 Sterling AT9500, 2008-2021 Freightliner Cascadia, 2006-2008 Freightliner Classic, 2006-2011 Freightliner Century Class, 2006-2010 Freightliner FLD, and 2017 Western Star 5700 vehicles. The rear reflective tape may be partially covered by the mudflap hanger bracket, which may reduce the vehicle's visibility to other drivers on the road. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk: The vehicle's rearward visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and reposition the reflective tape to ensure that it is completely visible, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 29, 2020. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL848.
Daimler Trucks North America LLCManufacturer number FL848View on NHTSA.gov

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

Oct 13, 2011
9,689 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THE STEERING COULD UNEXPECTEDLY TURN LEFT OR RIGHT, MAKING THE VEHICLE MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The 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.
DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICAManufacturer number FL-614View on NHTSA.gov

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

Jan 28, 2008
141 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE JAM NUTS ON THE BRAKE PUSHROD BETWEEN THE PEDAL AND THE BRAKE VALVE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED. THESE NUTS SECURE THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHROD.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN A GRADUAL LOSS IN BRAKING PERFORMANCE LEADING TO A POSSIBLE VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND CORRECT THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHROD ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 19, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DTNA AT 1-800-547-0712.
DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICAManufacturer number FL-522View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE07047ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

INSECURE FIFTH WHEEL LATCHING

Opened Sep 14, 2007
Closed Nov 19, 2007

ON NOVEMBER 19, 2007, FREIGHTLINER FILED DEFECT REPORT 07V-530 WHICH OUTLINES A SAFETY RECALL PROGRAM TO NOTIFY THE AFFECTED OWNERS AND CORRECT THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.

TRAILER HITCHES:FIFTH WHEEL ASSEMBLYLed to recall 07V530000

Recent owner complaints

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

No owner complaints recorded for this model year

Either none have been filed with NHTSA, or this vehicle is too new for reports to have accumulated.

Manufacturer communications

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

19-008WI

EQUIPMENT

Warranty Information Letter sent to customers regarding new refrigerator supplier for returning parts.

19-009WI

STRUCTURE

Warranty Information Letter - Expanded guidelines for paint-related claims sent out to Freightliner, Western star, Thomas Built Bus, Export and Direct warranty customers

ICI12-016 FL614

STEERING

Important Campaign Information on FL614 Recall

17-029

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Computer Hook-Up Standard Diagnostic Time Update

17CSA25

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

17CSA25 New Method for Uploading Diagnostic Log Files to the CSC

17CSA24

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

17CSA24 Holiday Schedule for the Detroit Customer Support Center

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 Classic Xl by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2011010
2010020
2009010
2008Viewing0101
2007081
2006071
2005050
2004020
2003010
2000010

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.