Freightliner FS-65 Problems by Year
Freightliner FS-65 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical FS-65 year: 2000, 2001. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2001 FS-65: 12 complaints, 4 recalls
- 2000 FS-65: 12 complaints, 6 recalls
- 2002 FS-65: 5 complaints, 3 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 1998 FS-65: 1 complaint, 4 recalls
- 2005 FS-65: 1 complaint, 1 recall
- 1999 FS-65: 2 complaints, 7 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 FS-65 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Diesel | 21 | 3 | 0 |
| Structure | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Freightliner FS-65 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 FS-65 | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2005 FS-65 | 1 | 1 | — | Seats | |
| 2002 FS-65 | 5 | 3 | — | Structure | |
| 2001 FS-65 | 12 | 4 | — | Fuel System, Diesel | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2000 FS-65 | 12 | 6 | — | Fuel System, Diesel | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1999 FS-65 | 2 | 7 | — | Fuel System, Diesel | |
| 1998 FS-65 | 1 | 4 | — | Electrical System | |
| 1997 FS-65 | 0 | 3 | — | — | |
| 1996 FS-65 | 0 | 2 | — | — |
More from Freightliner: all Freightliner models · VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Freightliner FS-65 years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2000 (12), 2001 (12) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical FS-65 year. 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 FS-65?
Fuel System, Diesel, with 21 complaints across 3 model years.
How many recalls does the Freightliner FS-65 have?
11 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.