2006 Freightliner Century Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Century years
- Not enough data 3rd of 19 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 8 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Freightliner Century. That ranks 3rd out of 19 Century model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (4 complaints, 67%), typically at around 91,500 miles. Complaints mention 3 injuries. There are 8 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 4 defect investigations involving it.
- 6owner complaints
- 8safety recalls
- 4NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2006 Freightliner Century problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 4 | 67% | 91,500 | — | — |
| Steering | 2 | 33% | 497,500 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 1 | 17% | 28,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 1 | 17% | 850,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2006 Freightliner Century recalls (8)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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 pinion
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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)
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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 cooling
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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 fittings
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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 pinion
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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:hub
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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 assembly
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Daimler Trucks North America Recalls (AQ18002) — opened Apr 23, 2018, closed Jul 11, 2024.
- Rack and pinion failure (PE09040) — opened Aug 31, 2009, closed Nov 19, 2009, led to recall 09V357000.
- Insecure fifth wheel latching (PE07047) — opened Sep 14, 2007, closed Nov 19, 2007, led to recall 07V530000.
- Steering column weld cracks (EA07002) — opened Jan 30, 2007, closed Jul 12, 2007, led to recall 07V289000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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…
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…
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
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…
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…
Other Freightliner Century years
← 2005 Century · 2007 Century →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Century | 0 | 1 |
| 2012 Century | 0 | 2 |
| 2011 Century | 0 | 9 |
| 2010 Century | 0 | 11 |
| 2009 Century | 0 | 12 |
| 2008 Century | 1 | 9 |
| 2007 Century | 0 | 9 |
| 2006 | 6 | 8 |
| 2005 Century | 2 | 2 |
| 2004 Century | 2 | 3 |
| 2003 Century | 4 | 2 |
| 2002 Century | 0 | 1 |
| 2001 Century | 4 | 4 |
| 2000 Century | 15 | 6 |
| 1999 Century | 6 | 7 |
| 1998 Century | 9 | 5 |
| 1997 Century | 4 | 4 |
| 1996 Century | 0 | 7 |
| 1995 Century | 0 | 2 |
See all Freightliner Century problems by year, every Freightliner model, or the VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Freightliner Century?
Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, steering, air bags problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 4 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2006 Freightliner Century?
Yes, 8 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2006 Freightliner Century a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Century model years, the 2006 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.