RoadVitals

2006 Freightliner Classic

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.
1
Latest Feb 6, 2011
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.
4
Latest Mar 11, 2008
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2006 Freightliner Classic, most frequently naming the brakes and tires & wheels categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1 NHTSA investigation names it.

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

  • Brakes150.0%
  • Tires & wheels150.0%

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

4 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

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

Mar 11, 2008
62,000 units potentially affected
The defect: DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 62,000 MY 2005-2007 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS, CENTURY CLASS, COLUMBIA, CORONADO, FLD, CLASSIC, STERLING A-LINE, L-LINE, AND WESTERN STAR 4900 TRUCKS. A FRACTURED FUEL LINE COULD LEAK DIESEL FUEL.
The risk: IF A LEAK CONTINUES UNDETECTED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, FUEL MAY IGNITE AT A HOT ENGINE SURFACE AND/OR FUEL MAY BE SPILLED ON THE ROAD SURFACE.
The remedy: HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINES AND TRANSFER TUBES WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED FREE OF CHARGED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 9, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.
DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICAManufacturer number FL-526View on NHTSA.gov

TRAILER HITCHES:FIFTH WHEEL ASSEMBLY

Nov 13, 2007
38,000 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCK-TRACTORS EQUIPPED WITH HOLLAND SIMPLEX SE OR SE II FIFTH WHEELS, THE LATCH LEVER PIVOT BOLT ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN OVER-TIGHTENED WHICH COULD DISTORT THE PIVOT BOLT SPACER SLEEVE. CORROSION OR CONTAMINATES IN THE PIVOT MAY CAUSE IT TO BIND AND PREVENT THE FIFTH WHEEL JAW FROM LATCHING SECURELY AROUND THE TRAILER KING PIN.
The risk: THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE FIFTH WHEEL MAY FAIL TO LATCH WITHOUT THE DRIVER'S KNOWLEDGE. WHEN THE OCCURS, THE DRIVER COULD DRIVE AWAY AND THE TRAILER COULD BECOME DISENGAGED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PIVOT BOLT AND SLEEVE WITH A HEX HEAD SHOULDER BOLT AND WASHER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 3, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
FREIGHTLINER LLCManufacturer number FL-514View on NHTSA.gov

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:CHECK VALVE

Jul 16, 2007
75,000 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN FREIGHTLINER SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS, HEAVY TRUCKS, AND THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JULY 2002 AND JULY 3, 2007, EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX SR-7 SPRING BRAKE CONTROL VALVES. THE PARKER SCV BRASS 90 DEGREE SINGLE CHECK VALVES (SCV) WHICH ATTACH TO THE SUPPLY PORT OF A BENDIX SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVE CAN BREAK APART. PIECES OF THE PARKER SCV CAN BECOME LODGED INSIDE THE SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVE, POTENTIALLY CAUSING EITHER LEAKAGE OUT OF THE SR-7 VALVE OR PREVENTING AIR FROM PROPERLY EXHAUSTING FROM THE SR-7 VALVE. ALSO, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE INTERNAL RUBBER CHECK VALVE INSIDE THE SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVES, THE VALVES CAN BECOME DEFORMED AND NOT SEAT PROPERLY.
The risk: THESE CONDITIONS COULD EITHER RESULT IN LEAKAGE AND CAUSE A DELAY IN THE APPLICATION OF THE SPRING BRAKE WITHOUT WARNING OR POSSIBLY LEAD TO UNINTENDED VEHICLE ROLLAWAY OR BRAKE DRAG WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY, OR DEATH.
The remedy: FREIGHTLINER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2008 TO FREIGHTLINER, STERLING, AND FREIGHTLINER CUSTOM CHASSIS OWNERS; TO THOMAS BUILT BUS OWNERS ON FEBRUARY 1, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
FREIGHTLINER LLCManufacturer number FL-504View 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

BrakesTires & wheels
Filed Feb 6, 2011

2006 FREIGHTLINER SEMI, WAS DISABLED ON THE BERM WITH IT'S HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND A PATROL CAR BEHIND IT DUE TO LOSING A SET OF TRAILER TIRES. UPON COMING TO A STOP AT THE 148.4 MILE POST. UNIT 2'S BRAKE DRUM FELL OFF AND ROLLED INTO TRAFFIC. UNIT 1 STRUCK THE BRAKE DRUM AND CONTINUED ON A LITTLE FURTHER BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. *BF ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE DRIVER WAS ASKED TO MOVE HIS OUT FIT A LITTLE FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD AWAY FROM TRAFFIC AND AS HE DID, THAT IS WHEN THE OFFICER NOTICED THE BRAKE DRUM HAD FALL FROM THE TRUCK. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0902-90)*JB UPDATED 02/15/11 *BF

NHTSA ID
10381875
Incident
Dec 20, 2010

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Freightliner Classic by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2008051
2007161
2006Viewing141
2005030
2004020
2003010
2002001
2001601
2000211
1999101
1998201
1997001
1996101

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.