2000 Freightliner Columbia

CERTAIN 1998-2001 FREIGHTLINER CENTURY AND COLUMBIA VEHICLES EXHIBIT A HIGHER RATE OF FRONT BRAKE AIR HOSE LEAKS THAN EARLIER VINTAGE FREIGHTLINER VEHICLES.THE LEAKS HAVE BEEN FREQUENTLY DISCOVERED AT FMCSA ROADSIDE INSPECTIONS SINCE THESE INSPECTIONS ARE CONDUCTED WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED (PRESSURIZING THE AIR HOSE) WHEREAS DRIVER PRE-TRIP INSPECTIONS MAY NOT ALWAYS BE PERFORMED WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED. AFTER A THOROUGH TECHNICAL REVIEW OF THIS MATTER,ODI HAS CONCUDED THAT WHILE THE SUBJECT VEHICLES EXHIBIT A HIGHER RATE OF FRONT BRAKE AIR HOSE LEAKS THAN EARLIER VINTAGE AND PEER VEHICLES, THESE LEAKS APPEAR TO BE MINOR. FREIGHTLINER HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THIS COMPONENT TO 5 YEARS, 500,000 MILES AND WILL ASSIST IN ALERTING THOSE VEHICLE OWNERS WHOSE VEHICLES ARE MOST SUSCEPTIBLE TO FRONT BRAKE AIR HOSE LEAKAGE BY ISSUING A SERVICE BULLETIN ALERTING THOSE OWNERS TO THE POTENTIAL FOR FRONT BRAKE AIR HOSE LEAKAGE TO OCCUR. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR FULL TECHNICAL DETAILS.

FREIGHTLINER SUBMITTED A DEFECT REPORT ON MARCH 21, 2003 IN WHICH THEY IDENTIFIED APPROXIMATELY 5000 TRUCKS AS POSSIBLY BEINGAFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM.ARVINMERITOR (FRONT AXLE MFR) SUBMITTED A DEFECT REPORT ONAPRIL 16, 2003, WHICH IDENTIFIES 6098 FREIGHTLINER TRUCKS ASBEING AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL AND 1191 AXLES SOLD TO FREIGHTLINER IN THE AFTERMARKET. ODI NOTES THAT THERE ARE TWOINTEGRAL HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLIES PER FRONT AXLE.FREIGHTLINER IDENTIFIED VEHICLES INCLUDINGFREIGHTLINER,STERLING, AND WESTERN STAR BRAND NAME AS BEINGAFFECTED BY THIS RECALL.SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.

IT HAPPEN IN INDIANAPOLIS, IN. ON HIGHWAY LOOP 465 NORTH BOUND WHEN MY CO-DRIVER REAR ENDED A SEMI-TRUCK, WE WERE DRIVING A FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA TRUCK SEMI. I WAS IN THE BACK IN THE SLEEPER BUNK SLEEPING AND FACING THE WALL AND I WAS WEARING A STRAP DOWN BY THE SEAT BELT,LOOKS MORE LIKE A SAFETY NET AND IT ONLY COVERS FROM THE CHEST TO MID-WAY OF MY KNEES AND DOESN'T COVER THE HEAD, THAT'S WHERE I RECEIVED ALL OF MY INJURIES. I HIT MY HEAD ON THE COUNTER TWICE THE TIME WAS WHEN THE DRIVER SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES I ROLLED OVER HITTING THE COUNTER, SECOND WHEN HE REAR ENDED THE SEMI AND I REALLY TRIED TO BRACE MYSELF TO PREVENT HITTING THE COUNTER I WAS NOT VERY SUCCESSFUL,CAUSE WHEN HE REAR ENDED IT WAS MORE OF A SURPRISE. BECAUSE OF THIS, I'M ON WORKERS COMPENSATION AND GOING ON C-SPINE TESTING AND PHYSICAL THERAPY AND I AM STILL IN A LOT OF PAIN EVEN WITH MEDICATION AND LOST OF WAGES. I REALLY NOTICED THAT THE SEAT BELT OR STRAP DOESN'T PROTECT THE HEAD WHICH I DEEPLY IN MY HEART FEELS IT SHOULD PROTECT THE HEAD AND FOR ANY REASON THAT THIS SAFETY BELT IS NOT MADE TO SAFELY PROTECT THE PERSON SLEEPING IN THE BUNK OR NOT MADE FOR IT. THEN THEY SHOULD BAN TEAM DRIVING, BECAUSE IT IS NOT SAFE AND IT WILL NOT PROTECT THE OTHER DRIVER SLEEPING. THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS,COSTLY, BODY INJURY INCREASE, DISABILITY,COSTLY INSURANCE FOR CO. AND DRIVERS AND TIME CONSUMING ALL AROUND, BUT EVEN MORE SADLY NOT BEING ABLE TO PLAY,RUN OR DOING ANY FUN ACTIVITIES WITH YOUR KIDS, THAT'S WERE IT REALLY HURTS. THESE SEATBELT OR STRAP( NET) SHOULD BE REDESIGNED OR MODIFIED TO PROTECT THE PERSON SLEEPING AND ABLE TO COME HOME WELL AND ABLE TO ENJOY HIS FAMILY AND IF THIS STRAP IS NOT MADE FOR THIS PURPOSE THEN WE SHOULD STOP TEAM DRIVERS. THEY SHOULD ONLY HAVE ONE DRIVER DRIVING. WHAT I LIKE TO KNOW WHO IS AT FAULT IN LETTING US KNOW THAT THIS SEAT BELT OR STRAP IS NOT MADE TO PROTECT THE PERSON SLEEPING AND NOBODY SHOULD BE BACK THERE AT ALL. *JB

NHTSA ID

10158770

Incident

Mar 22, 2006

Revised Technical Service Letter for Series 60 and Series 50 Camshaft Timing Specifications. Camshaft timing, valve lash, injector height, and Jake Brake lash are all very important specifications that must be followed closely in order to optimize the performance and service life of any Detroit Diesel engine.

Revised Freightliner Service Bulletin for Axle Flange Gasket Replaced with O-Ring. Revision removed steps instructing removal and installation of wheels. Daimler Trucks North America has released a new axle shaft to hub rubber O-ring (part number 11-30728-000) as a replacement for the paper gasket (part number 11-14418-000). The new O-ring will provide better sealing and is reusable. It is quicker and easier to use compared to the paper gasket, because using a paper gasket requires cleaning the hub when the axle shaft is removed.

Updated Freightliner Service Bulletin for Powernet Troubleshooting Guide - Batteries, Path, Alternator, and Starter. This bulletin replaces the version dated 5/31/2017. Information is added about the BCT-460DTNA PowerNet Assessment Tool. When troubleshooting Powernet issues, use the BCT-460DTNA PowerNet Assessment Tool. As of May 29, 2018, the AutoMeter® is the only Daimler-approved tool for troubleshooting vehicle Powernet issues.

Freightliner Service Bulletin for Axle Flange Gasket Replaced with O-Ring. Daimler Trucks North America has released a new axle shaft to hub rubber O-ring (part number 11-30728-000) as a replacement for the paper gasket (part number 11-14418-000). The new O-ring will provide better sealing and is reusable. It is quicker and easier to use compared to the paper gasket, because using a paper gasket requires cleaning the hub when the axle shaft is removed.

Technical Service Letter for DDC Series 60 engines concerning Series 60 Cylinder Head Resurfacing/Finish. Detroit Diesel does not recommend third party resurfacing of Series 60 cylinder heads (outside of Detroit and Detroit Reman).

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