The 2003 Freightliner Business Class has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 9,602 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SUSPENSION04V2720002004-06-079,602 affected
Defect
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS BUILT WITH 8,000 OR 6,000 POUND FRONT AXLES AND FOUR-PIECE SPINDLE NUT SETS, PREMATURE FRONT ,WHEEL BEARING WEAR MAY BE CAUSED BY INCONSISTENT BEARING ENDPLAY ADJUSTMENT.
Consequence
IF ALLOWED TO PROGRESS, THE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy
THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AXLE OIL SEALS AND HUB CAP GASKETS ON BOTH SIDES. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
Complaints by component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
1
1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
1
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
1
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
1
TIRES
1
1crashes
TIRES:VALVE
1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1
Total complaints7
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 freightliner business class equipped with kelly charger hpt tires, size 275/70r/24.5 (na). The dot number was unavailable. While driving approximately 70 mph, the two front tires blew out. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a wall. A police report was filed and there…”
“Daimler vans, llc safety recall 2010-040002 called freightliner dealer in oak creek, wi (truck country, inc.) they have no information and cannot do the repair according to the safety recall. I tried calling daimler and listened to music on hold for 40 minutes. I got nowhere with them! *tr”
“Tl*the contact owns a 2003 mercedes business class. The contact stated that the repair for the nhtsa recall, campaign id number: 09v418000, engine and engine cooling, exhaust system was performed on his vehicle. The contact also stated that the egr assembly was defective and should have been…”
“While driving 2003 frieghtliner sprinter on two occasions was overcome with noxious fumes, resulting in carbon monoxide posioning that requried a emergency visit to the hospital. Van has been in for service and continues to have same problem. This is a company van .”
“Contact states: that door blew open while driving. Electric door for passengers freight liner sprinter 2003. Braun conversion for wheels chairs. Has electric door that has no latch to close and there is gap in the door,1/2 inch. The consumer was told by the dodge dealer that it is was the…”
“Contact states: july 27,2004, had a tire blow out on the rear tire on the van. The mud flap blew off and there was damage done to the wheel well. Took vehicle to barnette tire service, and the tire was replaced. The mechanic stated that the blow out was due to the tire valve. Now there has been…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 freight liner m2 business class. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, gasoline leaked from the truck and onto the under carriage. The truck was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where it was stated that the higher pressure fuel line needed to be replaced. The…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2003 Freightliner Business Class as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.