RoadVitals

2001 Freightliner Fs-65

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.
12
Latest Apr 14, 2006
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 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

Overview

Our database contains 12 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2001 Freightliner Fs-65, most frequently naming the fuel system, brakes and electrical 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

  • Fuel system857.1%
  • Brakes321.4%
  • Electrical214.3%
  • Body & structure17.1%

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

View all 4

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
05V205000

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

Apr 27, 2005
16,000 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN 1998-2003 MY FREIGHTLINER FS-65 SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS AND MB-45, MB-55, AND XB SHUTTLE BUS CHASSIS, AND THOMAS BUILT BUS: MVP-ER AND MVP-EF SCHOOL BUS AND NON-SCHOOL BUS MODELS EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS ISB DIESEL ENGINES AND EQUIPPED WITH FEDERAL-MOGAL 12 AND 24 VOLT FUEL LIFT PUMPS. THE FUEL PUMP COULD FAIL TO TRANSFER FUEL APPROPRIATELY CREATING AN ENGINE STALL CONDITION.
The risk: SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE, A POSSIBLE VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: CUMMINS WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS OF FREIGHTLINER AND THOMAS BUILT AND REPLACE THE FUEL LIFT PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-800-DIESELS.
FREIGHTLINER LLCManufacturer number FL-447View on NHTSA.gov
04V343000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Jul 12, 2004
3,200 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR ENGINES AND HYDRAULIC BRAKES. A BRAIDED GROUND STRAP FOR THE STARTER MAY RUB ON A STEEL CHASSIS BRAKE LINE POTENTIALLY CAUSING A FLUID LEAK.
The risk: A BRAKE FLUID LEAK CAN REDUCE BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASE THE STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LINE AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY. THE BRAIDED GROUND STRAP WILL BE REPLACED WITH AN INSULATED CABLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 10, 2004. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
FREIGHTLINER LLCManufacturer number FL-421View on NHTSA.gov
02V084000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Apr 2, 2002
16,000 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES, THE BRAKE HOSES FROM THE CHASSIS TO FRONT BRAKE CHAMBERS COULD DEVELOP LEAKS DUE TO THE HOSE ROUTING THAT COULD OVERSTRESS THE HOSE DURING SHARP TURNS.
The risk: THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE REDUCED BRAKING CAPACITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR IMPROPER ROUTING. IF IMPROPER ROUTING IS FOUND, DEALERS WILL REPLACE AND CORRECT THE HOSE ROUTING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 29, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
FREIGHTLINER CORPORATIONManufacturer number FL-394View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

PE02024ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

FRONT AIR BRAKE HOSE LEAKAGE

Opened Feb 22, 2002
Closed Mar 25, 2002

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICLed to recall 02V084000

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 12
Brakes
Filed Apr 14, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AT 35 MPH, THE PEDAL WOULD NOT COMPLETELY DEPRESS. THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT AS IF IT WAS "ROCK-HARD". THE BRAKES DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THREE YEARS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT A RECALL NOTIFICATION LETTER REGARDING THE ROTORS WAS RECEIVED FOR THIS VEHICLE AND THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED. HOWEVER, THE RECALL WORK DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE FREIGHTLINER RECALL #SF 258A-D. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT OFFER A SECOND REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE UNDER THE RECALL. UPDATED 07/25/06. *JB

NHTSA ID
10155354
Incident
Mar 30, 2006
Mileage
64,934 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 28, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 FREIGHTLINER. CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GET RECALL REPAIR WORK BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT PAY THE DEALERSHIP ENOUGH TO DO THE REPAIR WORK. DEALER HAD 20 OF THESE VEHICLES 2000-2001 MODELS. COULD DO THESE REPAIRS THEMSELVES, BUT THEY COULD NOT DO FAST ENOUGH FOR THE VEHICLES TO BE READY BEFORE SCHOOL STARTED. THE DEALER WILL NOT LET ANY OF OTHER PERSON HELP HIM TO GET THE REPAIR WORK DONE. THE COMPANY WAS COMMUNITY BUS SERVICES.

NHTSA ID
10130478
Incident
Jun 30, 2005
Fuel system
Filed Jul 28, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 FREIGHTLINER. CONTACT STATED THAT WAS UNABLE TO GET RECALL REPAIR WORK DONE ON FUEL SYSTEM BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT PAY THE DEALERSHIP ENOUGH TO DO THE REPAIR WORK. HA D 20 OF THESE VEHICLES 2000-2001 YEAR MODELS. COULD DO THE REPAIRS THEMSELVES, BUT THEY COULD DO FAST ENOUGH FOR THE VEHICLES TO BE DONE BEFORE SCHOOL STARTED. THE DEALER WILL NOT LET ANY OF OTHER PEOPLE HELP HIM TO GET THE REPAIR WORK DONE. THE COMPANY WAS COMMUNITY BUS SERVICES.

NHTSA ID
10130476
Incident
Jun 30, 2005
Fuel system
Filed Jul 28, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 FREIGHTLINER. HE STATED WAS UNABLE TO GET THE RECALL REPAIR WORK DONE ON FUEL SYSTEM BECAUSE THE MANUFACTUREE WILL NOT PAY THE DEALERSHIP ENOUGH TO DO THE REPAIR WORK. HAD 20 OF THESE VEHICLES, 2000-2001 YEAR MODELS. COULD DO THE REPAIRS THEMSELVES, BUT THEY COULD NOT DO FAST ENOUGH FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE DONE BEFORE SCHOOL STARTED. THE DEALER WILL NOT LET ANY OF OTHER PERSON HELP HIM TO GET THE REPAIR WORK DONE. THE COMPANY WA SCOMMUNITY BUS SERVICES.*AK

NHTSA ID
10130475
Incident
Jun 30, 2005
Fuel system
Filed Jul 28, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 FREIGHTLINER. CONTACT WAS IS UNABLE TO GET RECALL REPAIR WORK DONE ON FUEL SYSTEM BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT PAY THE DEALERSHIP ENOUGH TO DO THE REPAIR WORK. HAD 20 OF THESE VEHICLES, 2000-2001 YEAR MODELS. COULD DO THE REPAIRS THEMSELVES, BUT THEY COULD NOT DO FAST ENOUGH FOR THE VEHICLES TO BE DONE BEFORE SCHOOL STARTED. THE DEALER WILL NOT LET ANY OF OTHER PERSON HELP HIM TO GET THE REPAIR WORK DONE. THE COMPANY WAS COMMUNITY BUS SERVICES.*AK

NHTSA ID
10130473
Incident
Jun 30, 2005
Fuel system
Filed Jul 28, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 FREIGHTLINER. CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GET RECALL REPAIR WORK ON FUEL SYSTEM DONE. HAD 20 OF THESE VEHICLES, 2000-2001 YEAR MODELS. COULD DO THE REPAIRS THEMSELVES, BUT THEY COULD NOT DO FAST ENOUGH FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE DONE BEFORE SCHOOL STARTED. THE DEALER WILL NOT LET ANY OTHER PERSON HELP HIM TO GET THE REPAIR WORK DONE. THE COMPANY WAS COMMUNITY BUS SERVICES.*AK

NHTSA ID
10130472
Incident
Jun 30, 2005
Fuel system
Filed Jul 28, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 FREIGHTLINER. CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GET RECALL REPAIR WORK DON EON FUEL SYSTEM BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT PAY THE DEALERSHIP ENOUGH TO DO THE REPAIR WORK. HAD 20 OF THESE VEHICLES, 2000-2001 YEAR MODELS. COULD DO THE REPAIRS THEMSELVES, BUT THEY COULD NOT DO FAST ENOUGH FOR THE VEHICLES TO BE DONE BEFORE SCHOOL STARTED. THE DEALER WILL NOT LET ANY OTHER PERSON TO HELP HIM TO GET THE REPAIR WORK DONE. THE COMPANY WAS COMMUNITY BUS SERVICES.*AK

NHTSA ID
10130471
Incident
Jun 30, 2005
Fuel system
Filed Jul 28, 2005

DT: CONTACT OWNED A 2000 FREIGHTLINER. CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GET THE RECALL WORK DON ON FUEL SYSTEM BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT PAY THE DEALERSHIP ENOUGH TO DO THE REPAIR WORK. HAD 20 OF THESE VEHICLES, 2000-2001 YEAR MODELS. COULD DO THE REPAIRS THEMSELVES, BUT THEY COULD NOT T DO FAST ENOUGH FOR THE VEHICLES TO BE DONE BEFORE SCHOOL STARTED. . THE DEALER WILL NOT LET ANY OTHER PERSON HELP HIM TO GET THE REPAIR WORK DONE. THE COMPANY WAS COMMUNITY BUS SERVICES.*AK

NHTSA ID
10130470
Incident
Jun 30, 2005

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Freightliner Fs-65 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2006010—
2005110—
2002531—
2001Viewing124146.1
2000126144.9
1999271—
1998140—
1997031—
1996020—

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.