2006 Freightliner CLASSIC: complaints, problems and recalls

2006 FREIGHTLINER SEMI, WAS DISABLED ON THE BERM WITH IT'S HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND A PATROL CAR BEHIND IT DUE TO LOSING A SET OF TRAILER TIRES. UPON COMING TO A STOP AT THE 148.4 MILE POST. UNIT 2'S BRAKE DRUM FELL OFF AND ROLLED INTO TRAFFIC. UNIT 1 STRUCK THE BRAKE DRUM AND CONTINUED ON A LITTLE FURTHER BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. *BF ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE DRIVER WAS ASKED TO MOVE HIS OUT FIT A LITTLE FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD AWAY FROM TRAFFIC AND AS HE DID, THAT IS WHEN THE OFFICER NOTICED THE BRAKE DRUM HAD FALL FROM THE TRUCK. …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10381875 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2006-02-08 (February 8, 2006)

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR DIESEL ENGINES, THE VARIABLE VALVE ACTUATION OIL LINE MAY WEAR AGAINST THE SHARP EDGE OF THE CYLINDER HEAD IF NOT POSITIONED CORRECTLY.

Consequence: THE OIL LINE MAY BE CUT ON THE CYLINDER HEAD CAUSING AN OIL LEAK AND A POSSIBLE FIRE.

Remedy: CATERPILLAR, IN CONJUNCTION WITH FREIGHTLINER, WILL BE CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CALL CATERPILLAR AT 309-675-6496, OR FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2007-07-16 (July 16, 2007)

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.

Consequence: 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.

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.

Reported: 2007-11-13 (November 13, 2007)

ON CERTAIN TRUCK-TRACTORS EQUIPPED WITH HOLLAND SIMPLEX SE OR SE II FIFTH WHEELS, THE LATCH LEVER PIVOT BOLT ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN OVER-TIGHTENED WHICH COULD DISTORT THE PIVOT BOLT SPACER SLEEVE. CORROSION OR CONTAMINATES IN THE PIVOT MAY CAUSE IT TO BIND AND PREVENT THE FIFTH WHEEL JAW FROM LATCHING SECURELY AROUND THE TRAILER KING PIN.

Consequence: THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE FIFTH WHEEL MAY FAIL TO LATCH WITHOUT THE DRIVER'S KNOWLEDGE. WHEN THE OCCURS, THE DRIVER COULD DRIVE AWAY AND THE TRAILER COULD BECOME DISENGAGED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PIVOT BOLT AND SLEEVE WITH A HEX HEAD SHOULDER BOLT AND WASHER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 3, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2008-03-11 (March 11, 2008)

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 62,000 MY 2005-2007 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS, CENTURY CLASS, COLUMBIA, CORONADO, FLD, CLASSIC, STERLING A-LINE, L-LINE, AND WESTERN STAR 4900 TRUCKS. A FRACTURED FUEL LINE COULD LEAK DIESEL FUEL.

Consequence: IF A LEAK CONTINUES UNDETECTED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, FUEL MAY IGNITE AT A HOT ENGINE SURFACE AND/OR FUEL MAY BE SPILLED ON THE ROAD SURFACE.

Remedy: HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINES AND TRANSFER TUBES WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED FREE OF CHARGED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 9, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.