2003 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
12
Owner Complaints
5
Recalls
5
Service Bulletins
1
Investigation
Overview of the 2003 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA
The 2003 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA has received a total of 12 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 5 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EQUIPMENT, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:CHECK VALVE, SEATS. 5 technical service bulletins have been issued by FREIGHTLINER LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System (3 complaints), Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Control (2 complaints), and Engine And Engine Coolingengine (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 2003 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA
NHTSA has recorded 5 recalls for the 2003 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA, potentially affecting up to 116,030 vehicles.
Recall 17V810000 — EQUIPMENT
| 24,860 vehicles affected
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...
Consequence: 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...
View full details →Recall 07V302000 — SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:CHECK VALVE
| 75,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
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...
View full details →Recall 05V001000 — SEATS
| 1,770 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SEATS BUILT BY GRA-MAG, THE SEAT PIVOT BOLTS CAN LOOSEN AND POSSIBLY FRACTURE OR DISLODGE, CAUSING THE SEAT BACK TO FAIL TO PROVIDE FULL SUPPORT TO THE DRIVER'S BACK.
Consequence: A POSSIBLE VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE SEAT FALL BACKWARDS DURING USE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
View full details →Recall 04V205000 — POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
| 14,000 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION, THE TAPERED JOINT THAT ATTACHES THE SHIFTER TO THE TRANSMISSION MAY BECOME LOOSE MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO GEAR.
Consequence: IF SHIFT LEVER DETACHMENT OCCURS, THA ABILITY RO ACCELERATE OT MAINTAIN SPEED WILL BE LOST, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-SECURE THE SHIFT LEVER TO THE TRANSMISSION USING THREADLOCK AND RE-TORQUING THE FASTENING BOLT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 21, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
View full details →Recall 03V500000 — SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
| 400 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AIR BRAKES, THE PLASTIC PUSH-TO-CONNECT AIR LINE FITTING CARTRIDGE COULD BE IMPROPERLY WELDED INTO THE NYLON JUNCTION BLOCK HOUSING ALLOWING AN AIR LINE TO BECOME DISCONNECTED.
Consequence: THIS COULD LEAD TO REDUCED BRAKE CONTROL, LOSS OF SERVICE BRAKE CONTROL, OR THE EMERGENCY BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY APPLYING, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW CAB AIR MANIFOLD. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON JANUARY 21, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2003 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA
12 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Control | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingengine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lightingfog Lights | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lightingheadlights | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainmanual Transmission | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebodydoorhinge And Attachments | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Structurebodyhatchbackliftgatesupport Devicestrut | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
2005 FREIGHTLINER CONVENTIONAL, UNIT 1 AND 2 WAS TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE, WHEN UNIT 1 RIGHT SIDE TRAILER TIRE BLEW CAUSING TIRE DEBRIS TO STRIKE UNIT 2. *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT# 10-0163-89)*JB
EXHAUST FUMES COMING INTO CAB, CAUSING DIZZINESS, BURNING EYES, AND STUFFY AND BURNING SENSATION IN NOSE AND ON SKIN. I HAVE HAD ALL EXHAUST MANIFOLDS AND GASKETS REPLACED AND I STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM. I FINALLY WENT TO THE INTERNET TO SEE IF THERE WAS SOMETHING I COULD DO TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND FOUND OUT THAT OTHER DRIVERS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE. THE TRUCK THAT I OWN AND DRIVE IS A FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA WITH SERIES 60 DETROIT ENGINE. I AM GOING TO TAKE A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR ALONG ON MY NEXT TRIP TO SEE IF THERE IS A PROBLEM. *TR
THERE ARE NO HAND HOLDS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE EXTERIOR OR INTERIOR TO AID IN ENTERING OR EXITING THE TRUCK. I WAS INJURED BECAUSE OF THIS FAILURE TO PROVIDE HANDHOLDS WHEN I SLIPPED OF THE TOP STEP WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. I HAVE UNDER GONE SURGERY ON MY LEFT KNEE FROM WHICH I HAVE NOT RECOVERED, AND WILL IN THE NEAR FUTURE UNDERGO SURGERY ON MY RIGHT ELBOW AS A RESULT OF THIS FAILURE TO PROVIDE A SAFE WAY TO ENTER OR EXIT THE TRUCK. THERE ARE NO FMCSA REGULATIONS IN REGARDS TO THIS. *TR
THERE ARE NO HAND HOLDS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE EXTERIOR OR INTERIOR TO AID IN ENTERING OR EXITING THE TRUCK. I WAS INJURED BECAUSE OF THIS FAILURE TO PROVIDE HANDHOLDS WHEN I SLIPPED OF THE TOP STEP WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. I HAVE UNDER GONE SURGERY ON MY LEFT KNEE FROM WHICH I HAVE NOT RECOVERED, AND WILL IN THE NEAR FUTURE UNDERGO SURGERY ON MY RIGHT ELBOW AS A RESULT OF THIS FAILURE TO PROVIDE A SAFE WAY TO ENTER OR EXIT THE TRUCK. THERE ARE NO FMCSA REGULATIONS IN REGARDS TO THIS. *TR
WHILE DRIVING CAN SMELL EXHAUST FUMES FUMES COMING INTO CAB THROUGH AIR VENTS,WIFE GETTING ILL AN BURNING EYES, HARD TO BREATH,HEADACHES,TIRED ALL THE TIME, ALSO OTHER DRIVER GETTING ILL, ONLY BEEN IN THIS FREIGHTLINER 2 MONTHS, WITH DETROIT. AFTER 10 TO 12 HRS OF SLEEPING, IT ONLY TAKES ABOUT 4 HRS BEHIND THE WHEEL START GETTING TIRED AGAIN, SOMETHINGS NOT RIGHT, THIS ISN'T SAFE, HOW COME DRIVERS AREN'T BEING TOLD ABOUT THIS. *NM
View all Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System complaints →
Safety Rating for the 2003 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA
FREIGHTLINER LLC has issued 5 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2003 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
TechTalk566576K — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Tech Talk discussion on Prototype or pre production DPF Penske wanted to share.
sb54311 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Service Bulletin- sb54311 ICU Odometer Programming
sb54251 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES
sb54251 Condensation and Possible Water Entry Points in Headlamp Assemblies
sb0002 — EQUIPMENT
Technical Publications Ordering
8833 — STRUCTURE:BODY
BUG SCREEN REINFORCEMENT ON CENTURY CLASS CONVENTIONAL AND THE COLUMBIA. THE CLIPS ON THE BUG REINFORCEMENT MAY CAUSE ABRASIONS TO THE SCREEN MATERIAL. FREIGHTLINER. *KB
NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 2003 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA.
Investigation PE04036 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL Closed
Opened:
DIESEL EXHAUST GAS INTRUSION
Other Model Years of the FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA
- 1998 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA — 0 complaints
- 1999 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA — 0 complaints
- 2000 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA — 1 complaint
- 2001 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA — 4 complaints
- 2002 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA — 2 complaints
- 2003 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA (current)
- 2004 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA — 14 complaints
- 2005 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA — 44 complaints
- 2006 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA — 16 complaints
- 2007 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA — 12 complaints
- 2008 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA — 1 complaint
Other FREIGHTLINER Models
- FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA — 396 total complaints
- FREIGHTLINER FREIGHTLINER — 188 total complaints
- FREIGHTLINER CONVENTIONAL — 117 total complaints
- FREIGHTLINER CENTURY — 76 total complaints
- FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER 2500 — 64 total complaints
- FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2 — 62 total complaints
- FREIGHTLINER FL-70 — 50 total complaints
- FREIGHTLINER MT — 39 total complaints