Freightliner Business Class Problems by Year
NHTSA has 13 owner complaints and 18 safety recalls on file for the Freightliner Business Class, across 9 model years (1995–2003). The 2003 model year has the most complaints (7). The most reported problem area overall is engine and engine cooling.
Freightliner Business Class years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
No Business Class model year stands out with more than twice the complaints of a typical year.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2003 Business Class: 7 complaints, 1 recall
- 1997 Business Class: 2 complaints, 6 recalls
- 1995 Business Class: 2 complaints, 4 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Freightliner Business Class problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Power Train | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 1 | 1 |
All Freightliner Business Class model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Business Class | 7 | 1 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2002 Business Class | 0 | 5 | — | — | |
| 2001 Business Class | 0 | 6 | — | — | |
| 2000 Business Class | 1 | 9 | — | Wheels | |
| 1999 Business Class | 1 | 5 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1998 Business Class | 0 | 5 | — | — | |
| 1997 Business Class | 2 | 6 | — | Parking Brake | |
| 1996 Business Class | 0 | 5 | — | — | |
| 1995 Business Class | 2 | 4 | — | Electrical System |
More from Freightliner: all Freightliner models · VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Freightliner Business Class years should you stay away from?
No year stands out at twice the typical count; the most complaints are for 2003 (7), 1997 (2), 1995 (2). Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Freightliner Business Class?
Engine and Engine Cooling, with 3 complaints across 2 model years.
How many recalls does the Freightliner Business Class have?
18 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.