2005 Freightliner Columbia Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2005 Freightliner Columbia, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Transmission2455.8%
- Engine37.0%
- Other / unspecified37.0%
- Tires & wheels37.0%
- Suspension24.7%
- Electrical24.7%
- Visibility12.3%
- Brakes12.3%
- Driver assistance12.3%
- Fuel system12.3%
- Exterior lighting12.3%
- Body & structure12.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
CLUTCH MAKING NOISE AND HARD TO GET INTO GEAR, REPLACED CLUTCH. *NM
CLUTCH MAKING NOISE AND HARD TO GET TO RELEASE, REPLACE CLUTCH. *NM
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING EYES START TO BURN, STARTED GETTING TIRED AFTER 4 HOURS, FUMES COMING FROM AIR CONDITION VENTS, WHILE AIR CONDITION WAS ON, ALSO FILM ON WINDOWS. I DON'T SMOKE. SUSPECT EXHAUST FUMES. ALSO WITH COTTON SWAB COULD PICK UP SOOT DEPOSITS ON AIR VENTS. *JB
I TOOK POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE IN JANUARY 06 AND HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN THE SHOP 4 TIMES FOR APRROX 2 WEEKS EACH TIME FOR AN EXHAUST LEAK IN THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE AND IN THE SLEEPING AREA THE MANUFACTURER OF THE VEHICLE STATED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT DID NOT HAVE A 100% FIX FOR IT AND THE PARTS THEY WERE TRYING WERE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GET.. ON MAY 25 2006 THE PROBLEM HAD GOT TO A POINT THAT IT PUT ME IN THE ER WITH CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
2005 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA , SUFFERED A MECHANICAL FAILURE WITH LEFT REAR DRIVE AXLE DUAL ASSEMBLY. *BF THE ASSEMBLY DETACHED FROM THE SEMI AND CROSSED INTO THE EASTBOUND LANES. THE BOLTS HOLDING THE TIRE ON HAD COMPLETELY SHEARED OFF. (OHO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0316-89) *JB UPDATED 09/13/10*BF
2005 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA WAS STOPPING FOR A TOLL BOOTH WHEN BOTH REAR RIGHT WHEELS DETACHED FROM THE SECOND REAR AXLE. ONE TIRE BROKE THE WINDOW OF THE TOLL BUILDING. *KB THE LUG NUTS BROKE OFF ON THE RIGHT SIDE SECOND TO THE REAR AXLE. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0752-91.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
1990 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA, UNIT 1 WAS TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE IN THE RIGHT LANE WHEN THE RIGHT TIRE OF THE TRAILER SUDDENLY CAME OFF THE RIM OF THE TRAILER. UNIT 1 CAME TO FINAL REST ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE ROAD. *BF THE DRIVER STATED EVER SINCE THE COMPANY SWITCHED TO SUPER SINGLE TIRES, EVERYONE HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING SOME TYPE OF TIRE FAILURE. THE RIM WAS DAMAGED. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0336-90)*JB UPDATED 8/30/11 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRE BLOW OUT OCCURRED ON THE TRACTOR, NOT THE TRAILER.
REGARDING O.D.I. #10136263 I HAVE FOLLOWED THE RECALL FREIGHTLINER FL451 RECALL#05V285000. I HAD A WHEEL OFF SEPARATION DUE TO THIS HUB!! FAILURE. I WAS INJURED SO BADLY, THAT I CANNOT GET INSURANCE AT ALL. I HAVE TALK AND SHOWED THIS HUB TO SOME WELL KNOWN PEOPLE ABOUT THIS. THE THEORY OF THE BRAKE DRUM CAUSING THE PROBLEM IS VERY! HARD TO BELIEVE. THE TRUTURN DRUM IS CONMETS. I HAVE X30 ARVIN MERITOR. WHY DID THEY TERMINATE THE HUB! THE HUB WEIGHTS IS ONLY LESS THAN 2LB. LIGHTER. WHEN MY TRUCK WAS WORKED ON THEY REFUSSED TO COVER IT UNDER WARRENTY. I HAVE REPLACED BOTH HUBS AT MY EXSPENSE BECAUSE, I COULD NOT PUT SOMETHING THAT DANGEROUS OUT THERE AFTER KNOWING WHAT I KNOW. CONMET TOLD FREIGHTLINER ABOUT THE PROBLEM IN NOVEMBER 2004. SO THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, YET STILL DID NOTHING, THEY HAD MY TRUCK ABOUT 16 DAYS, AND DID NOTHING IT TOOK OVER 2 MONTHS BEFORE ANYONE TRIED TO CONTACT ME I HIRED A LAWER. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
LOW PRESSURE, ERG VALVE, LEAKAGE, AND THE LOST OF POWER THAT THE TRUNK CANT BE CONTROLLED. *TR
DT: 2005 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA. THE FRONT HUB BROKE, THE CASTING CAME COMPLETELY APART. THE NEW HUB IS A DIFFERENT STYLE THAN THE ORIGINAL. THE CONSUMER BROKE A BONE IN HIS NECK, AND HAS TWO BAD DISCS IN BOTH SHOULDERS. THERE WAS NO WRECK WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. HE WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 50-55 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED ON JULY 19, 2005. HE COULD NOT GET AN ANSWER FROM FREIGHTLINER WHY THIS HAPPENED. THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW WHY THERE WAS A DIFFERENT HUB, AND IF HE SHOULD REPLACE THE OTHER ONE AS WELL. THE DOCTOR HAS YET TO RELEASE HIM FOR WORK. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT AXLE, BRAKE DRUM, WHEEL, TIRE, THE ABS VALVE, AND I-BEAM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS A RESULT OF THIS.*AK UPDATED
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
2005 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA, UNIT 1 NOTICED SMOKE FROM HIS TRAILER AS HE PULLED AWAY FROM THE BOOTH AT EXIT 142. UNIT 1 PULLED TO THE BERM ON THE ON THE RAMP AND FOUND THE TRAILER WAS ON FIRE. THE TRACTOR WAS DISCONNECTED FROM THE TRAILER AND PULLED AHEAD . *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0264-90)
2005 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA CAUGHT FIRE IN THE DASHBOARD DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL DEFECT. *KB (OHIIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT)*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
2005 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE TURN SIGNALS, THE EXTERIOR MIRRORS AND THE ABSENCE OF A HAND RAIL ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAB FOR EXITING THE CAB.*MR THE MIRRORS ON THE TRUCK VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY TO THE POINT WHERE THE DRIVER CANNOT SEE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THERE IS NOT WAY TO TIGHTEN THEM WITHOUT REPLACING THE ENTIRE UNIT. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE TURN SIGNAL SHOULD BE SELF CANCELING OR THAT THE AUDIBLE SIGNAL SOUND SHOULD BE LOUDER. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. A LOCAL MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE MEHCANIC STATED THAT THE BRAKE VALVE FAILED AND WAS ALLOWING AIR TO ESCAPE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 106,222.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
LOW PRESSURE, ERG VALVE, LEAKAGE, AND THE LOST OF POWER THAT THE TRUNK CANT BE CONTROLLED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
LOW PRESSURE, ERG VALVE, LEAKAGE, AND THE LOST OF POWER THAT THE TRUNK CANT BE CONTROLLED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
2005 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE TURN SIGNALS, THE EXTERIOR MIRRORS AND THE ABSENCE OF A HAND RAIL ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAB FOR EXITING THE CAB.*MR THE MIRRORS ON THE TRUCK VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY TO THE POINT WHERE THE DRIVER CANNOT SEE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THERE IS NOT WAY TO TIGHTEN THEM WITHOUT REPLACING THE ENTIRE UNIT. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE TURN SIGNAL SHOULD BE SELF CANCELING OR THAT THE AUDIBLE SIGNAL SOUND SHOULD BE LOUDER. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
2005 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE TURN SIGNALS, THE EXTERIOR MIRRORS AND THE ABSENCE OF A HAND RAIL ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAB FOR EXITING THE CAB.*MR THE MIRRORS ON THE TRUCK VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY TO THE POINT WHERE THE DRIVER CANNOT SEE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THERE IS NOT WAY TO TIGHTEN THEM WITHOUT REPLACING THE ENTIRE UNIT. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE TURN SIGNAL SHOULD BE SELF CANCELING OR THAT THE AUDIBLE SIGNAL SOUND SHOULD BE LOUDER. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .