RoadVitals

2001 Freightliner Freightliner

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.
28
Latest Jun 27, 2007
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.
1
Latest Apr 27, 2005
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
0 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 28 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2001 Freightliner Freightliner, most frequently naming the fuel system, suspension and brakes categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 2 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Fuel system1645.7%
  • Suspension720.0%
  • Brakes38.6%
  • Engine25.7%
  • Tires & wheels25.7%
  • Visibility12.9%
  • Driver assistance12.9%
  • Other / unspecified12.9%

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

1 campaign 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
05V207000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Apr 27, 2005
248 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN MY 2000-2003 FREIGHTLINER, THOMAS MVP SCHOOL BUS AND WESTERN STARS TRUCKS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 19, 2000, AND MARCH 30, 2005, AND EQUIPPED WITH WEBASTO COOLANT HEATERS, MODEL DBW 2010, ASSEMBLED WITH WEBASTO BURNER TUBES, P/N 303046/26533A. THE STAINLESS STEEL BURNER TUBE IS MADE OUT OF A MATERIAL THAT IS NOT TO SPECIFICATION AND COULD FAIL PREMATURELY.
The risk: SHOULD THE BURNER TUBE FAIL, THE COOLANT HEATER COULD OVERHEAT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The remedy: THOMAS BUILT WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE SUBJECT BURNER TUBES WITH NEW CERTIFIED BURNER TUBES AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 16, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUILT CUSTOMER SUPPORT OFFICE AT 1-336-889-4871 OR CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
FREIGHTLINER LLCManufacturer number FL-449View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

PE02061ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

ABS TONE RING CORRODES CAUSING UNINTENDE

Opened Aug 7, 2002
Closed Dec 11, 2002

ODI INITIATED PE02-061 BASED ON TWO REPORTED INCIDENTS IN WHICH FREIGHTLINER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH INTEGRAL ABS TONE RINGS HAD EXPERIENCED INCREASED VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE.INTEGRAL TONE RINGS INCORPORATE THE ABS TONE RING INTO THE BRAKE ROTOR TO FORM A ONE-PIECE INTEGRATED COMONENT.FREIGHTLINER HAS IDENTIFIED 266 WARRANTY CLAIMS FOR CORRODED ROTORS.SINCE THE ABS TONE RING IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE ROTOR IN THE AFFECTED FREIGHTLINER VEHICLES, CORRODED ROTOR SENSOR TEETH MAY COMPROMISE THE QUAILITY OF THE ABS TONE RING SIGNAL TO THE ABS ECU.A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF FREIGHTINER WARRANTY CLAIMS INDICATE THAT HE TONE RING CONDITION WAS DISCOVERED BY SERVICING MECHANICS WHO WERE INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE FOR THE ILLUMINATED ABS WARNING LIGHT.ODI IS CONCERNED AS TO (1) WHETHER VEHICLE OPEERAOTRS ARE SUFFICIENTLY COGNIZANT OF THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED IN A TIMELY MANNER IN RESPONSE TO THE ILLUMINATED ABS WARNING LIGHT SINCE THE ABS WARNING LIGHT IS THE ONLY WARNING PROVIDED BEFORE THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE MAY BE AFFECTED AND (2) QUANTIFYING THE EXTENT TO WHICH STOPPING-DISTANCE IS AFFECTED AND ASSESSING THE ASSOCIATED RISK TO SAFETY. ODI CONDUCTED A PARALLEL INVESTIGATION(PE02-060) OF INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE ASSOCIATED WITH CORRODED ABS TONE RINGS AT INTERNATIONAL TRUCK.THIS INVESTIGATION WAS CONCLUDED ON NOV 21, 2002 AFTER INTERNATIONAL TRUCK CONCLUDED THAT THE ABS ECU....CAN MISINTERPRET FALSE WHEEL SPEED SIGNALS... AND NOTIFIED NHTSA OF THEIR INTENTION TO CONDUCT A CAMPAIGN (NHTSA 02V-252) TO CORRECT THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.RECOMMENDATION IS TO OPEN AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 28
Filed Jun 27, 2007
1 death reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FREIGHTLINER. THE VEHICLE RAN OFF THE ROAD DURING ICY CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE RESULTED IN AN INJURY AND A DEATH. NO OTHER VEHICLE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER DIED IN THE ACCIDENT AND NO OTHER PASSENGERS WERE IN THE TRAILER. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER WAS UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED PICTURES OF THE DECEASED AND THE TRAILER. THE CONSUMER STATED US EXPRESS WILL NOT PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION ON THE TRAILER. UPDATED 09/05/07 *TR

NHTSA ID
10194759
Incident
Dec 25, 2001
Mileage
100,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 25, 2003

THE REMEDY FOR THE SERVICE BRAKES RECALL 93 V 104 000 FAILED 6 TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. MODEL # F160. *AK *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID
10026172
Brakes
Filed Jul 18, 2003

THE REMEDY FOR THE SERVICE BRAKE RECALL 93 V 104 000 FAILED 15 TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. MODEL F160.*AK *TS *JB

NHTSA ID
10026169
Suspension
Filed Oct 1, 2002

THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS ROUTED SO THAT IT WAS IN CONTACT WITH THE REAR AIR SPRING SUSPENSION. OVER TIME THE HEAT FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE BURNED A HOLE IN AIR SPRING BAG. IN OUR CASE THE FAILURE WAS NOT CASTASTROPHIC. WE WERE PARKED AND AIR LOSS WAS SLOW. I HAVE CONCERNS THAT UNDER DRIVING CONDITIONS THE AIR LOSS COULD HAVE BEEN MORE RAPID AND HANDLING COMPROMISED. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE ROUTING AND THE FAILED COMPONENT. M

NHTSA ID
767944
Incident
May 13, 2002
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 2, 2002

WHILE DRIVING, THE RIGHT STEER TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FENDER AND BRAKES, OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT. *SLC

NHTSA ID
567282
Incident
Jul 22, 2002
Suspension
Filed Jan 24, 2002

THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE UNIT WAS TOO HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE BECAUSE IT SUDDENLY BEGINS TO SWAY SIDE TO SIDE. *YH

NHTSA ID
564112
Body & structureBrakesDriver assistance+6 more
Filed Nov 28, 2001

TRUCK WONDERS ON ROAD, DEALER BELIEVES THAT TIRES ARE THE SOURCE OF PROBLEM. *AKCONSUMER STATED THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON, THE FRONT WHEEL SENSOR WAS OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, DEALER FOUND THE SENSOR DISC ON LEFT FRONT WHEEL HAD BEEN BENT UPON ASSEMBLY OF THE WORK, SHIMS FELL OUT FROM UNDER THE RUBBER CONE FOR THE HOOD MOUNT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WHICH CAUSED THE HOOD TO SAG AND RUBBED PAINT OFF OF THE COWL AND THE INSULATION UNDER THE HOOD STARTED COMING LOOSE AND IT HANGS DOWN ON TO THE ENGINE, THE CAB LEAKS WATER CAUSING THE WATER TO LAY AROUND THE FLOOR, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW LEAKS WATER FROM THE TOP AND ALSO THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW AND THE BUNK DOOR LEAKS AIR AND SOUND AS THOUGH THEY ARE OPEN, THE DASH APART THREE TIMES AND IT RATTLES, DEALER REPLACED DASH LIGHTS AND FLASHER RELAY, AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE AND TURNING OFF THE KEY, ENGINE STOPS BUT STARTER CONTINUED TO RUN, FRONT CRANKSHAFT SEAL ON THE ENGINE STARTED TO LEAK MOTOR OIL, THE OIL SLUNG ALL OVER THE FRONT OF ENGINE, BATTERY, TOOLBOXES, FUEL TANKS AND UNDER CARRIAGE, ENGINE DEVELOPED FREQUENT MISS/POWER LOSS, THE STEERING WILL DRAFT RIGHT OR LEFT, NOW THERE IS A NOTICEABLE VIBRATION THAT COMES AND GOES SOME WHERE IN THE DRIVETRAIN, THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A WHEEL HOP AND SHIMMY IN THE FRONT END THAT COMES AND GOES, THE DESK TOP DRAWER IN THE BUNK DOES NOT STAY LATCHED CAUSING CRUSHING NOISE AND PYROMETER BROKE. *YD

NHTSA ID
899558
Incident
Nov 1, 2001
Fuel system
Filed Oct 29, 2001

#1 FUEL LINE BRAKES HIGH PRESSURE FUEL SPARYS OVER HOT EXHAUST MAINFOLD MAY CAUSE FIRE CHILDREN ON SCHOOLBUS FUEL ON GROUND

NHTSA ID
753829
Incident
Oct 8, 2001

Manufacturer communications

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

954-12

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS

954-12 Installation of the Fuel Injector.pdf

301101

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

FLORIDA DEPT. OF EDUCATION'S LETTER REGARDING 2001 FREIGHTLINER/THOMAS FRONT BRAKE LINE/ABS WIRING HARNESS CHAFING. *TT

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 Freightliner by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2004410—
2003110—
2002141141.4
2001Viewing281141.2
2000141147.7
1999290134.7
1998902—
1997322—
1996622—
1995331—
1994601—
1993410—
1992230—
1991010—
1990620—
1989250—
19880100—
1987160—
1986040—
1985250—
1984070—
1983041—
1982031—
1981191—
1980061—
1979061—
1978061—
1977052—
1976080—
19750110—
19740120—
19730110—
1972050—
1971060—
1970060—
1969030—
1968040—
1967020—

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.