2002 Freightliner FS-65 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other FS-65 years
- Not enough data 3rd of 9 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Freightliner FS-65. That ranks 3rd out of 9 FS-65 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is structure (4 complaints, 80%), typically at around 112,540 miles. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 5owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2002 Freightliner FS-65 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 4 | 80% | 112,540 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 20% | 55,028 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2002 Freightliner FS-65 recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Fuel system, diesel
Problem: Certain 1998-2003 my freightliner fs-65 school bus chassis and mb-45, mb-55, and xb shuttle bus chassis, and thomas built bus: mvp-er and mvp-ef school bus and non-school bus models equipped with cummins isb diesel engines and equipped with federal-mogal 12 and 24 volt fuel lift pumps. The fuel pump could fail to transfer fuel appropriately creating an engine stall condition.
Risk: Should the engine stall while the vehicle is in use, a possible vehicle crash could occur.
Fix: Cummins will notify the customers of freightliner and thomas built and replace the fuel lift pump free of charge. Owners may contact cummins at 1-800-diesels.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: On certain school buses chassis equipped with caterpillar engines and hydraulic brakes. A braided ground strap for the starter may rub on a steel chassis brake line potentially causing a fluid leak.
Risk: A brake fluid leak can reduce braking effectiveness and increase the stopping distance, which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the brake line and replace it, if necessary. The braided ground strap will be replaced with an insulated cable. The recall began on august 10, 2004. Owners may contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: On certain school buses, the brake hoses from the chassis to front brake chambers could develop leaks due to the hose routing that could overstress the hose during sharp turns.
Risk: The vehicle could have reduced braking capacity, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect for improper routing. If improper routing is found, dealers will replace and correct the hose routing. Owner notification began april 29, 2002. 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 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
- Front air brake hose leakage (PE02024) — opened Feb 22, 2002, closed Mar 25, 2002, led to recall 02V084000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Frame is cracked and nearly separated above rear axle. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 freight-liner fs65 school bus. The contact stated that after having routing maintenance done on the vehicle, he was notified that the cross member frame had developed a crack. The manufacturer was notified who stated that they would reimburse for the parts but not for…
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 freightliner fs65 school bus. The contact stated that the cross member frame was crack. The contact mentioned that the failure was found after a routine maintenance was completed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who offered to pay for the parts needed for…
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 freightliner fs65 school bus. The contact stated that after completing a routine maintenance on the vehicle they noticed that the cross member frame was crack. The manufacturer was notified of the failure who stated they will reimburse for the parts but not for the…
Roseau school district operates a fleet of 26 buses covering approx. 1000 square miles in area. In 1999 roseau schools began purchasing buses with the cummins isb engines (an all electronic engine replacing the older "b" engines). The district now has 8 units with this particular engine. The…
Other Freightliner FS-65 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 FS-65 | 0 | 1 |
| 2005 FS-65 | 1 | 1 |
| 2002 | 5 | 3 |
| 2001 FS-65 | 12 | 4 |
| 2000 FS-65 | 12 | 6 |
| 1999 FS-65 | 2 | 7 |
| 1998 FS-65 | 1 | 4 |
| 1997 FS-65 | 0 | 3 |
| 1996 FS-65 | 0 | 2 |
See all Freightliner FS-65 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 2002 Freightliner FS-65?
Owners most often report structure, fuel system, other problems. The top one, structure, accounts for 4 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Freightliner FS-65?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2002 Freightliner FS-65 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other FS-65 model years, the 2002 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.