Freightliner CENTURY problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
47 owner complaints analyzed
38 distinct recall campaigns
200,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1995 to 2013 model years. Data snapshot: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension:Front:Springs:Leaf Spring Assembly:Hanger,Bracket is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 47 complaints (12.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 4 | 8.5% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 4.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Leaf Spring Assembly:Hanger,Bracket | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 3 |
| Suspension | 3 |
| Tires | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 2 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
Suspension:Front:Springs:Leaf Spring Assembly:Hanger,Bracket: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 3; Suspension: 3; Tires: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 2; Power Train:Axle Assembly: 2; Steering: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 8 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 8
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 32 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 12 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2000: 12; 2001: 4; 2002: 2; 2003: 2; 2004: 3; 2005: 5; 2006: 6; 2007: 5; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 3; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension:Front:Springs:Leaf Spring Assembly:Hanger,Bracket leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting 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 10048179 · 2003-11-05 (November 5, 2003)
1998 CENTURY CLASS MODEL TRAILER EXPERIENCING MULTIPLE PROBLEMS.*MR THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT ONE OF THE U-JOINTS HAD GONE BAD, THE FLEX LINE HAD ROTTED AWAY WHICH CONNECTED TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH CAUSED A LEAK. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A POWER STEERING LEAK, ALSO THE AIR FILTER WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS ASSIGNED ANOTHER TRACTOR, HOWEVER IT WAS A 2001 MODEL AND HE SOON DISCOVERED THE FAN BLADES WERE COMPLETELY BLACK AND HE HAD TO TAPE A FILTER OVER THE AIR INTAKE. *JB *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10048179 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10275837 · 2009-07-06 (July 6, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FREIGHTLINER CENTURY TRUCK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE DRIVER FELT A RUMBLE AND THUMP COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. HE ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER, BUT THE WHEEL BEARINGS BECAME LOOSE. AS A RESULT, THE WHEEL WAS HANGING ON THE STEERING SPINDLE, THE BRAKES WERE HANGING IN PIECES, AND THE AIR LINE FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE PLASTIC ACCESS PANEL FAILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CALLED AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ENTIRE WHEEL ASSEMBLY WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED …
Owner-reported narrative. 901,137 miles reported. Look up ODI 10275837 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8000609 · 2001-12-12 (December 12, 2001)
CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES FIRMLY AND AXLE FELL OFF. VEHICLE IS A CENTURY CLASSIC, 2000. COSUMER MAY NOT BE AWARE OF NHTSA RECALL 99V35 9000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL F L-251 CONCERNING TIE ROD END. WILL TRY AND CONTACT CONSUMER TO INFORM SYSTEM WAS DOWN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8000609 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10522049 · 2013-06-27 (June 27, 2013)
FULLY LOADED TRUCK RUNNING DOWN I 57, TRUCK STOPPED RUNNING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL ONTO THE SHOULDER. TOWED BACK TO TAG TRUCK CENTER IN SIKESTON MO. UPON DIAGNOSIS THE TRANSMISSION HAD LOST ALL IT'S FLUID DUE TO TRANSMISSION COOLER LINES LEAKING. TRUCK WAS BUILT WITH A CLAMP THAT DID NOT FULLY SUPPORT THE LINE, AT THE FACTORY A PIECE OF PLASTIC LOOM WAS INSTALLED WITH THE CLAMP TO POSSIBLY TAKE UP THE SLACK BETWEEN THE METAL PART OF THE LINE AND THE CLAMP. THESE SAME CLAMPS WERE USED IN THE PAST TO SUPPOR…
Owner-reported narrative. 499,906 miles reported. Look up ODI 10522049 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 889598 · 2001-06-01 (June 1, 2001)
FUEL LEAK. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 889598 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 |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 4 |
| 1998 | 5 |
| 1999 | 7 |
| 2000 | 6 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 8 |
| 2007 | 9 |
| 2008 | 9 |
| 2009 | 12 |
| 2010 | 11 |
| 2011 | 9 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
1997: 4; 1998: 5; 1999: 7; 2000: 6; 2001: 4; 2002: 1; 2003: 2; 2004: 3; 2005: 2; 2006: 8; 2007: 9; 2008: 9; 2009: 12; 2010: 11; 2011: 9; 2012: 2; 2013: 1