RoadVitals

2008 Freightliner MT45

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.
1
Latest Feb 16, 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.
2
Latest Oct 8, 2010
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.
0
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 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2008 Freightliner MT45, most frequently naming the suspension category. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 99 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

  • Suspension1100.0%

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

2 campaigns 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
10V472000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Oct 8, 2010
58 units potentially affected
The defect: DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2010 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2, CUSTOM CHASSIS MT45, S2 CHASSIS, AND STERING ACTERRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 5, 2006, THROUGH MAY 24, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH EPA 2007 MBE 900 DETROIT DIESEL ENGINES. ENGINE SOFTWARE MAY NOT REACT PROPERLY TO CERTAIN AFTERMARKET TREATMENT DEVICE FAULT CODES. THE SOFTWARE MAY UNNECESSARILY SHUTDOWN A VEHICLE OR MAY FAIL TO SHUTDOWN A VEHICLE WITH AN AFTERMARKET DEVICE OVER-TEMP FAULT.
The risk: UNEXPECTED SHUTDOWN OF A VEHICLE MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. OVERHEATING OF THE AFTERTREATMENT DEVICE WITHOUT ENGINE SHUTDOWN MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY DETROIT DIESEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.
DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICAManufacturer number 10C-6View on NHTSA.gov
07V302000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:CHECK VALVE

Jul 16, 2007
75,000 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN FREIGHTLINER SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS, HEAVY TRUCKS, AND THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JULY 2002 AND JULY 3, 2007, EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX SR-7 SPRING BRAKE CONTROL VALVES. THE PARKER SCV BRASS 90 DEGREE SINGLE CHECK VALVES (SCV) WHICH ATTACH TO THE SUPPLY PORT OF A BENDIX SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVE CAN BREAK APART. PIECES OF THE PARKER SCV CAN BECOME LODGED INSIDE THE SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVE, POTENTIALLY CAUSING EITHER LEAKAGE OUT OF THE SR-7 VALVE OR PREVENTING AIR FROM PROPERLY EXHAUSTING FROM THE SR-7 VALVE. ALSO, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE INTERNAL RUBBER CHECK VALVE INSIDE THE SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVES, THE VALVES CAN BECOME DEFORMED AND NOT SEAT PROPERLY.
The risk: THESE CONDITIONS COULD EITHER RESULT IN LEAKAGE AND CAUSE A DELAY IN THE APPLICATION OF THE SPRING BRAKE WITHOUT WARNING OR POSSIBLY LEAD TO UNINTENDED VEHICLE ROLLAWAY OR BRAKE DRAG WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY, OR DEATH.
The remedy: FREIGHTLINER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2008 TO FREIGHTLINER, STERLING, AND FREIGHTLINER CUSTOM CHASSIS OWNERS; TO THOMAS BUILT BUS OWNERS ON FEBRUARY 1, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
FREIGHTLINER LLCManufacturer number FL-504View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Suspension
Filed Feb 16, 2010

I HAVE A FREIGHTLINER STEP VAN AND I WORK FOR FEDEX. I BOUGHT THIS VAN BRAND NEW ALMOST TWO YEARS AGO AND EVER SINCE I STARTED DRIVING IT I NOTICED THAT THE SUSPENSION WAS TERRIBLE. THE VEHICLE PUSH AND PULLS ALL OVER THE ROAD, THE FRONT END MAKES NOISES LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE, AND IT SWAYS ALL OVER THE ROAD. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH CORPORATE FREIGHTLINER AND THEY DID CHANGE THE FRONT LEAF SPRINGS(SO CALLED FLAT STYLE LEAF SPRING). IT MADE A LITTLE IMPROVEMENT, BUT THE NOISES STILL PERSIST AND IT STILL IS ALL OVER THE ROAD. THIS VAN DOES THINGS THAT I NEVER THOUGHT A VAN COULD DO. THE VAN ALSO HAS A WOBBLE TO IT SINCE THE BEGINNING AND THE FRONT END SHAKES AT AROUND 50MPH. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES, BUT I AM TOLD THAT NOTHING IS WRONG. I HAVE OFFERED CORPORATE FREIGHTLINER A CHANCE TO SPEND A DAY WITH ME AND HAVE ONE OF THEIR ENGINEERS DRIVE IT, BUT WAS NEVER TAKEN UP ON THE OFFER. I HAVE SAID TO CORPORATE, THAT THIS VAN IS A NIGHTMARE. I HAD A P1000(MT55) BEFORE THE P700(MT45) THAT I CURRENTLY HAVE NOW SO I KNOW HOW THESE VEHICLES RIDE. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM FOR TWO YEARS AND I REALLY FEEL THAT FREIGHTLINER KNOWS THE TRUE REASON FOR MY HEADACHES. MY FEELING IS THAT I THINK THAT THE PUT THE WRONG LEAF SPRINGS ON THIS VEHICLE AND THE OTHER MT45 AT THE TERMINAL. WHEN THIS VAN ARRIVED IT LOOKED LIKE A DRAG CAR(THE FRONT WAS NOTICEABLY LOWER THAN THE BACK). I WAS RIPPING DOWN FRONT TIRES AND GOING FOR WHEEL ALIGNMENTS PER FREIGHTLINER AND THE ALIGNMENTS CAME BACK FINE, BUT MY TIRES WERE BEING CUT DOWN. I HAVE EXPRESSED MY CONCERNS WITH MANAGEMENT AT OUR TERMINAL AS WELL AS THE REGIONAL SAFETY DIRECTOR AT FEDEX AND SHE SAID SHE WOULD MAKE SOME CALLS AND GET BACK TO ME, BUT SHE NEVER DID. THIS VAN SHAKES, WOBBLES, THROWS ME ALL OVER THE ROAD AND FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO FALL APART, BUT I NEVER GET ANY ANSWERS. I REALLY AM CONCERNED AND NERVOUS DRIVING THIS VAN. IT IS NOT RIGHT. PLEASE--PLEASE-- HELP ME!!!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ID
10311115
Incident
Apr 4, 2008

Manufacturer communications

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

SS1033335

EQUIPMENT

Service Solution for Actia Instruments to Ametek (AMI) Instruments. After-market purchasing has incurred numerous issues in obtaining service replacement parts at a reasonable price from current vendor Actia. FCCC Engineering developed the attached service parts and installation instructions from Ametek to serve as replacement service parts when a replacement instrument panel is needed.

19-008WI

EQUIPMENT

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

DOC-1033335

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Service Solution 1033335 Actia Instruments to Ametek (AMI) Instruments

17-029

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Computer Hook-Up Standard Diagnostic Time Update

17CSA25

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

17CSA25 New Method for Uploading Diagnostic Log Files to the CSC

17CSA24

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

17CSA24 Holiday Schedule for the Detroit Customer Support Center

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 MT45 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2014020—
2013010—
2012010—
2011010—
2010020—
2009030—
2008Viewing120—
2007031—
2006010—
2005020—
2004030—
2003020—
2002210—
2001130—
2000250—
1999020—
1998020—
1997020—
1996020—
1995010—

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.