2003 Freightliner Columbia Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Columbia years
- Far more complaints than other years 5th of 25 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 5 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Freightliner Columbia. That ranks 5th out of 25 Columbia model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (6 complaints, 60%), typically at around 331,731 miles. Complaints mention 3 injuries. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.
- 10owner complaints
- 5safety recalls
- 2NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2003 Freightliner Columbia 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 | 6 | 60% | 331,731 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 10% | 42,136 | — | — |
| Power Train | 1 | 10% | — | — | — |
| Structure | 1 | 10% | — | — | — |
| Tires | 1 | 10% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2003 Freightliner Columbia recalls (5)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Equipment
Problem: 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 the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-759.
Service brakes, air:supply:check valve
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.
Seats
Problem: 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.
Risk: A possible vehicle crash could occur should the seat fall backwards during use.
Fix: Dealers will repair these vehicles. The recall began on april 20, 2005. Owners may contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.
Power train:manual transmission
Problem: 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.
Risk: If shift lever detachment occurs, tha ability ro accelerate ot maintain speed will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service brakes, air
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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 within a reasonable time should contact freightliner at 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.
- Diesel exhaust gas intrusion (PE04036) — opened Apr 12, 2004, closed Dec 6, 2004.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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…
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…
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…
Dt: fumes coming inside equipment through air vents of truck. The truck was taken to the dealer 3-4 different times and the problem was never fixed. These fumes caused headaches, nausea,burning eyes, and high blood pressure. Now, diagnosed with copd. Have talked to other drivers and same problems…
Other Freightliner Columbia years
← 2002 Columbia · 2004 Columbia →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 Columbia | 0 | 1 |
| 2020 Columbia | 0 | 2 |
| 2019 Columbia | 0 | 3 |
| 2018 Columbia | 0 | 2 |
| 2017 Columbia | 0 | 3 |
| 2016 Columbia | 0 | 3 |
| 2015 Columbia | 0 | 3 |
| 2014 Columbia | 0 | 5 |
| 2013 Columbia | 0 | 5 |
| 2012 Columbia | 0 | 6 |
| 2011 Columbia | 0 | 13 |
| 2010 Columbia | 1 | 18 |
| 2009 Columbia | 2 | 20 |
| 2008 Columbia | 1 | 30 |
| 2007 Columbia | 11 | 27 |
| 2006 Columbia | 14 | 21 |
| 2005 Columbia | 38 | 14 |
| 2004 Columbia | 13 | 10 |
| 2003 | 10 | 5 |
| 2002 Columbia | 2 | 3 |
| 2001 Columbia | 3 | 1 |
| 2000 Columbia | 1 | 3 |
| 1999 Columbia | 0 | 2 |
| 1998 Columbia | 0 | 2 |
| 1997 Columbia | 0 | 1 |
See all Freightliner Columbia problems by year, every Freightliner model, or the VIN decoder.
Similar Freightliner models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Freightliner Columbia?
Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, exterior lighting, power train problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 6 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Freightliner Columbia?
Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2003 Freightliner Columbia a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Columbia model years, the 2003 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.