Freightliner CENTURY CLASS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
14 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
287,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 to 2017 model years. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 14 complaints (14.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 7.1% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 7.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 7.1% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 7.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control: 2; Tires: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel: 1; Equipment: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 5
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 8 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
2006: 5; 2007: 1; 2010: 5; 2012: 1; 2017: 1; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10174057 · 2006-11-22 (November 22, 2006)
THE AIR FORCE LOST A SEMI TRUCK-TRACTOR IN A VEHICLE FIRE ON 6/30/2006. THE VEHICLE, A 2005 FREIGHTLINER CENTURY CLASS TRACTOR, WAS LEASED FROM GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION. A SEMI-TRAILER OWNED BY THE AIR FORCE WAS ALSO DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE DEPARTED TRAVIS AFB, CA AROUND 1115L ON 6/30/2006. AFTER THE OPERATOR SMELLED AN ELECTRICAL BURNING ODOR. AS HE PULLED OFF ONTO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. OPENING THE HOOD, HE SAW FIRE IN THE AIR CLEANER. HE RETRIEVED THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES BUT THE FIRE REGAINED INTENSITY AND SPREAD THROU…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10174057 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10334861 · 2010-06-03 (June 3, 2010)
2003 FREIGHTLINER CENTURY CLASS, BRAKES FAILURE, VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND STRUCK THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. *BF ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE BRAKES FAILED DUE TO THE DRIVER NOT DOING A PRE-TRIP INSPECTION ON THE SEMI TRUCK. THREE VIOLATIONS WERE NOTICED BY THE COMMERCIAL INSPECTOR. THE THREE VIOLATIONS WERE AS FOLLOWS: THE AXLE #2 CHAMBER WAS LOOSE, SECUREMENT BRACKET ATTACHMENTS POINTS WERE SEPARATED, AXLE #2 RIGHT BRAKE CHAMBER HAD AN AUDIBLE AIR LEAK, AND THE AIR LOSS RATE RESERVOIR PRESSURE WAS NOT MAINTAINED WHEN THE SERVICE B…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10334861 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10202801 · 2007-09-12 (September 12, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FREIGHTLINER CENTURY CLASS. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION SEPARATED. THE ENGINE SIZE AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 270,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 290,706.
Owner-reported narrative. 270,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10202801 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 0 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
2001: 0; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 2; 2005: 4; 2006: 5; 2007: 4; 2008: 5; 2009: 4; 2010: 4; 2011: 3; 2012: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 1