2011 Freightliner Columbia Glider Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Problem: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Cascadia, Business Class M2, Coronado, and Columbia Glider vehicles manufactured April 5, 2010, to June 15, 2013. The affected trucks are equipped with Fontaine Ultra LT Fifth Wheel connectors, which, due to cumulative damage to the fifth wheel and its locking mechanism, have a locking mechanism that may fail to operate or to properly engage.

Risk: If the fifth wheel and locking mechanism are sufficiently damaged, the locking mechanism may fail to operate as intended and the trailer may unexpectedly detach from the tractor, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: DTNA will notify owners, and DTNA authorized service facilities will replace the fifth wheel with an Ultra NT model fifth wheel, free of charge. The recall began on November 20, 2015. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-692.

Problem: Dtna is recalling certain model year 2011 freightliner cascadia, columbia glider kit, coronado, m2, and western star4900 heavy trucks manufactured from october 16, 2010, through march 9, 2011, equipped with gunite automatic slack adjusters manufactured from october 15, 2010, through january 31, 2011. Due to an incomplete "knitting" of the iron at the time of casting, inadequate structural integrity of the slack adjuster housing can occur, which could cause the housing to break at the handle under normal operating loads.

Risk: If the slack adjuster housing were to break, the wheel brake to which the slack adjuster is attached would no longer function, causing the vehicle to have reduced braking capacity and, if mounted on the steer axle, the vehicle could pull to one side, possibly resulting in a crash.

Fix: Dtna will notify owners and dealers will replace any affected slack adjusters free of charge. The safety recall began on july 5, 2011. Owners may contact dtna at 1-800-547-0712.