2008 Freightliner Classic XL Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Problem: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2006-2020 Freightliner Columbia, 2006-2021 Freightliner Business Class M2, 2007-2020 Freightliner Coronado, 2014-2021 Freightliner 122 SD, 2007 Sterling A 9500, 2006 Freightliner Argosy, 2006-2007 Sterling AT9500, 2008-2021 Freightliner Cascadia, 2006-2008 Freightliner Classic, 2006-2011 Freightliner Century Class, 2006-2010 Freightliner FLD, and 2017 Western Star 5700 vehicles. The rear reflective tape may be partially covered by the mudflap hanger bracket, which may reduce the vehicle's visibility to other drivers on the road. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: The vehicle's rearward visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and reposition the reflective tape to ensure that it is completely visible, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 29, 2020. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL848.

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.

Problem: On certain trucks, the jam nuts on the brake pushrod between the pedal and the brake valve may not have been tightened. These nuts secure the adjustment of the brake pedal pushrod.

Risk: This could result in a gradual loss in braking performance leading to a possible vehicle crash without prior warning.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and correct the brake pedal pushrod assembly. The recall began on february 19, 2008. Owners may contact dtna at 1-800-547-0712.

Problem: On certain trucks equipped with trw steering gears, models tas85 and rcs85, these steering gears contain potentially defective sector shafts with an incorrect gear tooth which may interfere with the rack-piston teeth, resulting in a stick or bind condition.

Risk: This condition has the potential to cause the steering gear to stall and restrict the steering turning angle of the vehicle which could result in a vehicle crash.

Fix: Freightliner is working with trw to replace the defective steering gear (please see 07e101). The recall began on april 18, 2008. Owners may contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.

Problem: On certain truck-tractors equipped with holland simplex se or se ii fifth wheels, the latch lever pivot bolt assembly may have been over-tightened which could distort the pivot bolt spacer sleeve. Corrosion or contaminates in the pivot may cause it to bind and prevent the fifth wheel jaw from latching securely around the trailer king pin.

Risk: There is a possibility that the fifth wheel may fail to latch without the driver's knowledge. When the occurs, the driver could drive away and the trailer could become disengaged increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the pivot bolt and sleeve with a hex head shoulder bolt and washer. The recall began on january 3, 2008. Owners may contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.

Problem: On certain trucks equipped with rack and pinion steering, the ball socket assembly at the inner end of the driver side tie rod may be damaged in a sharp turn. Excessive tie rod angles may loosen the tie rod in the ball socket or damage the threaded tie rod socket attachment to the steering rack on the driver side. The threaded end of the ball socket assembly may fracture and separate.

Risk: A fractured tie rod assembly will make the vehicle more difficult to control at higher speeds and a crash may occur.

Fix: Dealers will change the front axle steering stops to prevent interference in the tie rod ball socket assembly and steering components will be replaced free of charge. The recall began on july 8, 2008, and will be mailed in phases through december 31, 2008. Owners may contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.

Problem: On certain trucks equipped with rack and pinion steering, the tie rod arms may have been incorrectly installed. The threaded end of the ball socket assembly may fracture and separate.

Risk: A fractured tie rod assembly will make the vehicle more difficult to control at higher speeds and a crash may occur.

Fix: Dealers will inspect for installation of the steering arms. Steering components will be replaced on trucks that have incorrectly installed tie rod arms. The recall began on may 1, 2008. Owner may contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.

Problem: On certain trucks, a manufacturing error in the fuel-water separator preheater thermoswitch may prevent the fuel preheater from turning off if the ignition is left on. If the ignition switch is left on when fuel is added to the fuel- water separator at the factory or during a filter element change, a small flame may occur inside the filter cover.

Risk: The potential exists for the flame to spread resulting in possible personal injury.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the fuel filter date code and thermoswitch lot code to determine if they contain the suspect component free of charge. The recall began on october 4, 2007. Owners may contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.

Problem: Freightliner is recalling certain school bus chassis, heavy trucks, van chassis, rv motorhome chassis manufactured from january 5 to may 17, 2007, equipped with axle alliance company (aac) front axles. During the front axle assembly, the fasteners that attach the steering arm or tie rod arms to the spindle may be over or under tightened.

Risk: Incorrectly tightened steering arm fasteners may fatigue and fracture which could cause a crash without warning.

Fix: Thomas built will notify owners, inspect the fasteners, and replace the steering arm if necessary. The recall began on december 21, 2007. Owners can contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.

Problem: 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 can become lodged inside the sr-7 spring brake modulating valve, potentially causing either leakage out of the sr-7 valve or preventing air from properly exhausting from the sr-7 valve. Also, due to a manufacturing defect in the internal rubber check valve inside the sr-7 spring brake modulating valves, the valves can become deformed and not seat properly.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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 1-800-547-0712.