2005 Freightliner Century Class

Routine

Owners filed 5 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine and engine cooling › exhaust system › emission control. It has been recalled 4 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control2
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System2
001
Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery › Cables1
010

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Equipment17V810000
Filed Dec 15, 201724,860 vehiclesDaimler Trucks North America Llc

Defect. Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2002-2017 Freightliner Cascadia, Century Class, Columbia and Coronado trucks and Western Star 4700, 4900, 5700, 5900 and 6900 trucks. These vehicles are equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers that may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

Risk. In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy. DTNA will notify owners, and instruct them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on April 11, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712, or contact Kidde customer service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-759.

Engine and Engine Cooling09V366000
Filed Sep 23, 200925,362 vehiclesDaimler Trucks North America

Defect. DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR C15 ENGINE. THE VARIABLE VALVE ACTUATION OIL LINE MAY RUB AGAINST THE P-CLIPS RETAINING THE OIL LINE, CAUSING AN OIL LEAK.

Risk. AN OIL LEAK MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DAIMLER TRUCKS IS WORKING WITH CATERPILLAR TO REMEDY THESE VEHICLES. PLEASE SEE CATERPILLAR'S DEFECT REPORT 09E-020. CATERPILLAR WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 5, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CATERPILLAR TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-447-4986 OR DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.

Fuel System, Diesel08V113000
Filed Mar 11, 200862,000 vehiclesDaimler Trucks North America

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Electrical System06V190000
Filed Jun 5, 200661,000 vehiclesFreightliner Llc

Defect. ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE PROTECTIVE COVER FOR THE CAB POWER DISTRIBUTION MODEL (PDM) MAY BE MISSING OR IMPROPERLY INSTALLED.

Risk. IF THE PROTECTIVE COVER IS MISSING OR NOT POSITIONED CORRECTLY, ANY WATER INTRUSION FROM AN OPEN WINDOW OR WINDSHIELD LEAK MAY SEEP THROUGH THE UPPER DASH COVER SEAM AND DRIP ONTO THE PDM. WATER ON THE PDM CIRCUITS MAY CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT RESULTING IN A FIRE THAT COULD CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery › CablesFire
Filed Nov 22, 2006IL

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 THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE HIGHWAY PATROL/FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED ON SCENE AT 1156L AND 1204L RESPECTIVELY. SAFETY INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE FIRE IGNITED WHEN THE BATTERY CABLE ARCED ON THE RIGHT FRONT LEAF SPRING DUE TO LOOSE WIRE HANGERS. TWO BOLTS ON THE TRANSMISSION HOLD THE BRACKETS THAT SUPPORT THE MAIN BATTERY CABLE/ALTERNATOR CABLE. THE LOOSE BOLTS ALLOWED THE MAIN BATTERY CABLE/ALTERNATOR CABLE TO HAVE SIGNIFICANT MOVEMENT ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION. INVESTIGATORS FOUND THE TWO INCH LONG TRANSMISSION/HANGER BOLT ON THE LEFT SIDE WAS BACKED OUT 1/2 INCH AND THE BOLT ON THE RIGHT WAS BACKED OUT 1/4 INCH. A ONE-TIME INSPECTION (OTI) OF ALL SIMILAR TRUCKS DISCOVERED FOUR ADDITIONAL TRACTORS WITH LOOSE BATTERY CABLES/CLAMPS. ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM IS AT THE BELL-HOUSING AND HOW THE BRACKET WHERE THE BATTERY CABLES ATTACH IS SECURED TO THE TRANSMISSION. A MINOR REPAIR IS NEEDED TO FIX THE DEFECT. BECAUSE THE BELL

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Nov 21, 2006CA

EXHAUST FUMES IN THE CAB. GETTING SICK FOR ABOUT A MONTH. SINUS INFECTION AND OTHER SYMPTOMS. NO CO TEST PERFORMED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIR 2 TIMES WITH NO SUCCESS. THE METER IS READING OVER 50 PPM TO 100 PPM IF THE FRESH AIR INTAKE IS CLEAR. CURRENTLY THE INTAKE IS PLUGGED WITH PLASTIC BAGS TO PREVENT THE CO FROM ENTERING THE CAB. WITH THE BAGS IN PLACE THE READING IS 10 PPM. HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 2.5 YEARS. THE PROBLEM SEEMD TO START AROUND 200,000 MILES. I WAS TIRED ALL THE TIME.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System1 injured
Filed Nov 21, 2006304,000 milesCA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A FOUL ODOR FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. AFTERWARDS, THE CONTACT BECAME PHYSICALLY ILL DUE TO THE EXHAUST FUMES. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALTHOUGH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS REPLACED, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control
Filed Nov 19, 2006CA

NOV,2 OF 2006, TOOK THE TRUCK INTO FREIGHTLINER IN REDDING,CA. COMPLAINED OF EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING THE CAB AGAIN, THEY SAID THAT THEY FIXED IT, ONCE AGAIN FUMES COMMING IN AFTER I LEFT THERE SHOP. BECAME ILL AN STAYED AT HOME, LUNG PROBLEMS, HEADAKES, BURNING EYES. WENT TO DOCTORS. HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO COMPANY ATTENTION, THEY IGNORED ME. NOW HAVE TO TAKE TRUCK INTO SHOP AGAIN THIS WILL 3 TIMES. I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER DRIVERS WITHIN THE COMPANY HAVING SAME PROBLEM. IT APPEARS THERES NO FIX TO THIS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, AN UNSAFE. WHY ARE THE FUMES COMMING THROUGH THE VENTS. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control
Filed Jun 11, 2006254,300 milesCA

AFTER ABOUT 30 MIN COULD SMELL FUMES COMING INTO TRUCK THROUGH AIR CONDITION VENT. WHEN I GET OF TRUCK FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, STARTING TO FEEL BETTER. WHILE SITTING IN THE TRUCK I START FEELING DIZZY, SINUS START UP AFTER ABOUT TWO HOURS IN TRUCK, TIRED ALL THE TIME,WAKE UP WITH HEADACHES. SUSPECT CARBON MONOXIDE COMING IN .DETROIT ENGINE EGR. *JB

5 of 5 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2005
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20170100Routine
20160100Routine
20150100Routine
20140100Routine
20130100Routine
20120200Routine
20110300Routine
20100400Routine
20090400Routine
20080500Routine
20070400Routine
20062500Routine
2005 — this page5410Routine
20041210Routine
20032100Routine
20020100Routine
20011000Routine
20001000Routine
19991000Routine
19981000Routine

Compare every Century Class year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Dec 15, 2017. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.