RoadVitals

2002 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.
14
Latest Oct 25, 2010
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 14 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Freightliner Freightliner, most frequently naming the visibility, brakes and tires & wheels categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 3 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

  • Visibility422.2%
  • Brakes422.2%
  • Tires & wheels316.7%
  • Electrical316.7%
  • Body & structure211.1%
  • Engine15.6%
  • Interior & seats15.6%

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 14
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 25, 2010

2002 FREIGHTLINER SEMI TIRE CAME OFF AND TWO OTHER VEHICLES STUCK THE TIRE. *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0598-90)*JB

NHTSA ID
10363108
Incident
Sep 7, 2010
Electrical
Filed Jul 26, 2005

2002 FREIGHTLINER BUS ENGINE QUIT GOING DOWN HUGE HILL/SMALL MOUNTAIN IN TENNESSEE CAUSING BRAKES TO FAIL. FREE WHEELED DOWN MOUNTAIN, TAKING EXIT, RUNNING STOP LIGHT AND ALMOST CAUSING CRASH WITH 30 PAX ON BOARD. ELECTRICAL WIRE FROM FACTORY LOOSE AND CORRODED.

NHTSA ID
10130073
Incident
Jul 1, 2005
Mileage
79,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Feb 16, 2005

GOODYEAR G328, SIZE 295/75R/22.5 THIS TIRE HAD A LUG PATTERN. ALSO, IT CAUSED LATERAL SWAYING. OWNER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, AND VEHICLE BECAME TOTALLY UNSTABLE. OWNER REPORTED THIS DEFECT TO THE MOTOR POOL AT FED-X, BUT WAS TOLD TO DEAL WITH IT. *AK

NHTSA ID
10111605
Incident
Jan 2, 2005
Mileage
206,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 22, 2004

CONSUMER DRIVES A FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER AND THE BRAKE WEAR INDICATOR LIGHT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. CONSUMER HAS TO REPLACE THE PADS AND ROTORS FOR THE FRONT AND REAR AXLES TWICE. DEALER CLAIMS THAT THIS IS NORMAL WEAR FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. ALSO THE PADS ARE THE WRONG SIZE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10063589
Incident
Jul 22, 2003
Mileage
15,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 9, 2004

BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE PADS AND ROTORS FOR THE REAR AND FRONT BRAKES. DEALER CLAIMED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL WEAR FOR THIS VEHICLE, BUT THE BRAKE PADS WERE NOT THE PROPER SIZE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10061675
Incident
Jul 15, 2003
Mileage
15,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 23, 2004

EXCESSIVE BRAKE FADE IN ALFA SEE YA COACH EQUIPPED WITH FREIGHTLINER XC CHASSIS WHICH RESULTS IN THE UNIT BEING VERY HARD TO STOP AND NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. THE UNIT HAS BEEN SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES AS WELL AS A COMPLETE BRAKE JOB BEING DONE AND THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10058777
Incident
Oct 25, 2002
Mileage
8,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Feb 19, 2004

TIRE SIDEWALL BLEW OUT. *PH THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OTHER MOTOR HOME OWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. FREIGHTLINER AND MICHELIN ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. (XC CHASSIS) *SC

NHTSA ID
10059390
Incident
Dec 26, 2003
Mileage
22,465 mi
Body & structureElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed Dec 24, 2003

CONSUMER NEEDS INFORMATION ON WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO FIX A PROBLEM IN REGARDS OF THE VAN'S SEAT. *LA IN RE: VIN#[XXX], THE BACK DOOR DID NOT CLOSE AND THE KEY REMOTE LOCK WAS INOPERATIVE, THE MIRRORS VIBRATED. IN RE: VIN#[XXX], THE VEHICLE WAS DEAD EVERY MORNING. IN RE: VIN#[XXX], THE DOOR LOCKS WERE SLOW TO OPEN WITH THE REMOTE (TWICE) AND THE SLIDING DOOR FELL OFF. THERE WAS ALSO AN A/C PROBLEM. *SC *JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10053586
Incident
Jan 22, 2003

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

TSB T2007-01 REV

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

INTELLIGENT LIFE INTERLOCK SYSTEM (ILIS) THE SHIFT LOCK STATUS LED (AMBER) FLASHES AND THE SFHIFTER DOES NOT LOCK WITH THE PARK BRAKE ON AND /OR THE LIFT DOOR OPEN. THIS WILL ONLY OCCUR IF THE VEHICLE BATTERY VOLTAGE DROPS BELOW 7.5 VOLTS DURING ENGINE CRANKING.

GSL01023

STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD

INFORMATION REGARDING HOOD COVERAGE. *JB

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—
2002Viewing141141.4
2001281141.2
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.