2001 Freightliner FS-65: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
38,730 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel System, Diesel is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 12 complaints (66.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 25.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 8.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Fuel System, Diesel | 8 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 3 |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly | 2 |
| Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars | 1 |
Fuel System, Diesel: 8; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 3; Electrical System:Starter Assembly: 2; Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars: 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 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 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 |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2006 | 1 |
2003: 3; 2005: 8; 2006: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel System, Diesel leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10002108 · 2003-01-14 (January 14, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THE ROOF LEAKS AND CAUSES UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE ROOF LEAKS WHEN IT RAINS. THE WATER DROPS INTO THE INTERIOR, ONTO THE DRIVERS CLOTHES, SEAT, STEERING WHEEL, AND VISION, MAKING IT WET AND IMPAIRED. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO SEEK HELP FROM THE DEALER/MANUFACTURER WITHOUT SUCCESS, AND BELIEVES THE ROOFING SYSTEM IS UNFIT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO BE REPAIRED. SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 65 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002108 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10049737 · 2003-12-15 (December 15, 2003)
STARTER GROUND STRAP RUBBED HOLE IN STEEL BRAKE LINE LOCATED NEAR THE STARTER. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE PRESSURE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 56,581 miles reported. Look up ODI 10049737 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10049739 · 2003-12-15 (December 15, 2003)
STARTER GROUND STRAP RUBBED HOLE IN STEEL BRAKE LINE LOCATED NEAR THE STARTER. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE PRESSURE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 20,879 miles reported. Look up ODI 10049739 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10130469 · 2005-07-28 (July 28, 2005)
DT:EDTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FREIGHTLINER. CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GET RECALL REPAIR WORK WORK ON FUEL SYSTEM DONE 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 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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10130469 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10130470 · 2005-07-28 (July 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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10130470 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10130471 · 2005-07-28 (July 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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10130471 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10130472 · 2005-07-28 (July 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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10130472 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10130473 · 2005-07-28 (July 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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10130473 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
01V215000 · Electrical System:Wiring
Reported: 2001-06-26 (June 26, 2001)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BUS CHASSIS VEHICLES. AN ELECTRICAL PASS-THROUGH CONNECTOR MAY NOT FIT IN THE FIREWALL MOUNTING HOLE CORRECTLY, RESULTING IN THE CONNECTOR DISLODGING AND AN ELECTRICAL TERMINAL CONTACTING THE FIREWALL.
Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AND POTENTIAL FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT VEHICLES FOR PROPER MOUNTING OF THE ELECTRICAL PASS THROUGH AND CORRECT IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 9, 2001. 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗02V084000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 2002-04-02 (April 2, 2002)
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.
Consequence: THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE REDUCED BRAKING CAPACITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗04V343000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 2004-07-12 (July 12, 2004)
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.
Consequence: A BRAKE FLUID LEAK CAN REDUCE BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASE THE STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗05V205000 · Fuel System, Diesel
Reported: 2005-04-27 (April 27, 2005)
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.
Consequence: SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE, A POSSIBLE VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗