2006 Freightliner Century

Routine

Owners filed 6 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine and engine cooling › cooling system. It has been recalled 8 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Steering › Rack and Pinion1
000
Steering1
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe1
001
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control1
001
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System1
001
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module1
000

8 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Diesel12V074000
Filed Feb 28, 2012103,437 vehiclesDaimler Trucks North America

Defect. DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2013 FREIGHTLINER, STERLING, AND WESTERN STAR VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH DETROIT DIESEL EPA07 AND EPA10, DD13 AND DD15/16 ENGINES, MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 20, 2006, THROUGH FEBRUARY 20, 2012. THE PUMP TO RAIL HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE SUPPORT SYSTEM USED ON THESE ENGINES IS SENSITIVE TO ASSEMBLY TORQUE AND MAY BE DAMAGED DURING SERVICE WORK. AS A RESULT OF OTHER REPAIRS, THE LINE SUPPORTS MAY LOOSEN, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO FUEL LINE CRACKING AND A FUEL LEAK.

Risk. A FUEL LEAK COULD CREATE A ROAD HAZARD, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. ALSO A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DTNA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND WHERE NECESSARY, THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE SUPPORT SYSTEM WILL BE REPLACED BY DTNA AUTHORIZED SERVICE FACILITIES, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DTNA AT 1-800-547-0712.

Steering › Rack and Pinion11V514000
Filed Oct 13, 20119,689 vehiclesDaimler Trucks North America

Defect. DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA, COLUMBIA, CENTURY, CORONADO, AND CLASSIC XL TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 1, 2004, THROUGH JUNE 15, 2010 FOR THE RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM. THE LOWER PINION BEARING MAY CORRODE AND FAIL. A FAILED BEARING MAY LEAD TO DAMAGE OF THE SPOOL VALVE SEALS. A DAMAGE SPOOL VALVE SEAL MAY ALLOW HYDRAULIC FLUID TO FLOW TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT TURN PORT INSTEAD OF FLOWING TO THE RETURN PORT.

Risk. THE STEERING COULD UNEXPECTEDLY TURN LEFT OR RIGHT, MAKING THE VEHICLE MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL INSPECT THE LOWER BEARING FOR CORROSION. IF CORROSION IS FOUND, THE RACK AND PINION SYSTEM WILL BE REPLACED. IF NO CORROSION IS FOUND, ON THE BEARING, THE BEARING WILL BE PACKED WITH GREASE AND THE RUBBER BELLOWS WILL BE REPLACED WITH SEALANT ADDED BETWEEN THE BELLOWS AND THE RACK HOUSING. AN INTERIM LETTER WAS MAILED IN DECEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-547-0712.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)11V465000
Filed Sep 8, 20114,444 vehiclesDaimler Trucks North America

Defect. DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2012 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2, CASCADIA, CENTURY, COLUMBIA, CORONADO AND STERLING A-LINE VEHICLES BUILT WITH MERITOR WABCO ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) SYSTEM MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 15, 2005 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1, 2011. UNDER CERTAIN ROAD AND DRIVING CONDITIONS, VEHICLE BODY ROLL AND ROAD INCLINATION CHARACTERISTICS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT THE SLIP ANGLE CALCULATION OF THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) SYSTEM. THIS MIGHT CAUSE THE ESC TO PERCEIVE AN OVER STEERING SITUATION AND THEREFORE APPLY THE OUTER WHEEL BRAKE ON THE FRONT AXLE UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS PERCEIVED TO BE STABLE.

Risk. IF THE DRIVER IS SLOW TO REACT DURING THIS ESC INTERVENTION, THE VEHICLE MAY DEVIATE FROM THE INTENDED LINE OF TRAVEL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ESC MODULE WITH THE APPROPRIATE SOFTWARE VERSION AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE MAILED ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 21, 2011. THE DATE FOR AVAILABILITY OF THE FINAL REMEDY IS SUBJECT TO VALIDATION TESTING AND PARTS AVAILABILITY. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 28, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-547-0712.

Engine and Engine Cooling11V146000
Filed Mar 3, 20112,073 vehiclesDaimler Trucks North America

Defect. DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2011 FREIGHTLINER, CASCADIA, CENTURY, COLUMBIA FLD, AND M2, STERLING 9500, AND WESTERN STAR 4900 HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 20, 2006, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH SPECIFIC MBE4000 EPA07 MODEL ENGINES. THE INTAKE AIR GRID HEATER MAY SHORT CIRCUIT AND FAIL DUE TO EXCESSIVE INTERNAL TEMPERATURES.

Risk. A SHORT CIRCUITED GRID HEATER COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE AND INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy. DTNA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE RECALL DURING MARCH 2011. ANOTHER NOTIFICATION WILL BE ISSUED ONCE THE REMEDY IS RELEASED. DTNA EXPECTS THE REMEDY TO BE AVAILABLE BY DECEMBER 1, 2011. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY DTNA DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DTNA TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-547-0712. THIS RECALL IS ASSCOCIATED WITH A PREVIOUS RECALL, CAMPAIGN NUMBER 10V-341.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings09V391000
Filed Oct 6, 200910,185 vehiclesDaimler Trucks North America

Defect. DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2010 HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 17, 2006 AND MARCH 31, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH EPA07 MODEL MBE4000 ENGINES BUILT WITH PLASTIC LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINES. THE PLASTIC LINES MAY EXPERIENCE LEAKS DUE TO FATIGUE CRACKS CAUSED BY STRESS AND VIBRATION COMBINED WITH HIGH INTERNAL PRESSURE.

Risk. IF A DIESEL FUEL LEAK CONTINUES UNDETECTED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS FUEL MAY IGNITE ON A HOT ENGINE SURFACE AND/OR FUEL MAY SPILL ON THE ROAD INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED BY DETROIT DIESEL CORPORATION AUTHORIZED REPAIR FACILITIES AND DIRECT WARRANTY CUSTOMERS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 7, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.

Steering › Rack and Pinion09V357000
Filed Sep 16, 20098,882 vehiclesDaimler Trucks North America

Defect. DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 29, 2005 THROUGH JULY 3, 2009. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITION, THE LEFT HAND INNER TIE ROD END MAY LOOSEN OVER TIME AND IF NOT CORRECTED, POTENTIALLY SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING RACK.

Risk. A SEPARATED TIE ROD ASSEMBLY CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE VEHICLES WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-547-0712.

Suspension › Front › Hub07V169000
Filed Apr 12, 2007219 vehiclesFreightliner Llc

Defect. ON CERTAIN TRUCKS BUILT WITH FRONT AXLES ASSEMBLED BY ARVINMERITOR, THE FRONT SPINDLE NUT MAY BE OVER-TIGHTENED CAUSING PRELOAD ON THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WHICH COULD LEAD TO PREMATURE BEARING WEAR.

Risk. IF RAPID BEARING WEAR IS ALLOWED TO PROGRESS, THE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT HUB INSTALLATION FOR CORRECT BEARING ADJUSTMENT. IF THE BEARING ADJUSTMENT IS INCORRECT, THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WILL BE REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 28, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-385-4357.

Power Train › Axle Assembly05V551000
Filed Dec 6, 2005500 vehiclesFreightliner Llc

Defect. ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND MOTOR HOME CHASSIS, THE TOP FLANGE OF THE FRONT AXLE I-BEAM MAY FATIGUE AND FRACTURE.

Risk. DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2006, FOR PHASE I. PHASE 2 WILL BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2006. THIS RECALL IS BEING CONDUCTED IN TWO PHASES. PHASE I WILL REPLACE THE COMPLETE AXLE ASSEMBLY; AND PHASE II WILL REPLACE THE AXLE BEAM AND STEERING KNUCKLES. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Steering
Filed Dec 19, 2014850,000 milesGA

I PURCHASED TRUCK 11/2010 TRUCK DROVE FINE FOR THE FIRST YR. PULLING VERY LIGHT FREIGHT ALWAYS THE TRUCK BECAME VERY HARD TO CONTROL. TRUCK DANCES, HOPS, BOUNCE ETC. I HAVE HAD SUSPENSION WORK DONE AND THE PROB HAS NOT IMPROVED. I DON'T GET IRREGULAR TIRE WEAR NO PHYSICAL SIGNS THAT CAN BE SEEN, JUST POOR PERFORMANCE. I WOULD NOT BUY ANOTHER ONE. THE ENGINE/ TRANS, NO COMPLAINTS, ONLY THE DRIVABILITY. *TR

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Jul 28, 2010145,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FREIGHTLINER CENTURY. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR AN UNRELATED FAILURE WHEN THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN TWO RECALLS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 07V473000: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: COOLING SYSTEM: RADIATOR ASSEMBLY AND 09V357000: STEERING: RACK AND PINION). THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE PARTS NEEDED TO MAKE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO OBTAIN ANY INFORMATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER AS TO WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME READILY AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 145,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control1 injured
Filed Nov 25, 2007257,000 milesMI

BEEN IN THIS FREIGHTLINER,CENTURY, WITH DETROIT POWER, HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING HEADACHES(SEVERE) SINUS ISSUES,CAN SMELL EXHAUST IN TRUCK,TIRED ALL THE TIME,EYES BOTHERING ME, DRY THROAT,BEEN THIS TRUCK FOR 3 MONTHS NOW. SUSPECT FUMES COMING FROM AIR VENTS, CANT SHUT IT OFF. *TR

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Apr 30, 200728,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FREIGHTLINER. IN SEPTEMBER 2006 THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SRS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE FAILURE WAS A COMPUTER GLITCH, AND REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER. THE SRS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN IN DECEMBER 2006. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE TENSIONER AND THE AIR BAGS. IN FEBRUARY 2007 THE FAILURE RECURRED ONCE AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE CLOCK SPRING/STEERING SENSOR WAS REPLACED. IN MARCH 2007 THE FAILURE RECURRED, AND THE DEALER PERFORMED A SERVICE INVOLVING THE AIR BAG MODULE/OCCUPANT RESTRAINT. THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AT 33,500 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER, WHO REPAIRED THE CLOCK SPRING/STEERING SENSOR AGAIN. ON APRIL 23, 2007 THE FAILURE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT DUE TO THE ONGOING FAILURES CHRYSLER AGREED TO PAY FOR THE PARTS, AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC. HE WAS ISSUED REFERENCE # 16231713 BY CHRYSLER, AND STATED THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY PROBLEM BECAUSE THE AIR BAGS MAY MALFUNCTION IN A CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER SENT HIM TO GOSSET MOTORS IN MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, WHERE THEY DETERMINED THAT A SHORTAGE SQUIB OCCURRED IN BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT AIR BAGS, BUT FOUND NOTHING THAT COULD BE REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THEY RESET THE SRS LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD. THE MANUFACTURER CLAIMED THAT THEY WOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 36,809, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STILL IS YET TO B

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe1 injured
Filed Jun 1, 200638,000 milesNY

FREIGHTLINER CENTURY WITH 14L 60 SERIES ENGINE HAS HAD EXHAUST MANIFOLD REPLACED TWICE. BOTH NEW MANIFOLDS STILL LEAKING EXHAUST. CANNOT CLOSE VENTS IN TRUCK. NO OPTION TO CLOSE VENTS ON SWITCH PANEL. EXHAUST COMING INTO CAB. CLEAN AIR INTAKE FOR CAB IS UNDER THE HOOD IN THE DIRECT LINE OF MANIFOLD LEAKAGE. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System1 injured
Filed May 21, 200623 milesNY

JUST GOT A 2006 FREIGHTLINER CENTURY WITH 14L 60 SERIES DETRIOT, TURBO CLAMP WAS LOOSE, BOTH FLEX PIPES LEAKED WITHIN 2 MONTHS, EXHAUST MANIFOLD ON ENGINE WOULD NOT SEAL, CLAMPS ON INTAKE ON LEFT SIDE OF ENGINE WERE LOOSE CREATING EXHAUST LEAK. NEW MANIFOLD WILL NOT SEAL. *NM

6 of 6 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2000
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20130100Routine
20120200Routine
20110900Routine
201001100Routine
200901200Routine
20081900Routine
20070900Routine
2006 — this page6800Routine
20052200Routine
20042300Routine
20034210Routine
20020100Routine
20014400Routine
200015600Routine
19996710Routine
19989500Routine
19974400Routine
19960700Routine
19950200Routine

Compare every Century 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: Feb 28, 2012. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.