RecallRepo

2001 Freightliner Columbia Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2001 Freightliner Columbia has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 5,716 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes, air. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

SUSPENSION 03V112000 2003-03-21 5,716 affected
Defect

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRUCK HUB UNITS MANUFACTURED BY SKF EXCLUSIVELY FOR USE ON ARVINMERITOR'S FF98X SERIES NON-DRIVE STEER AXLES, THE HUB UNIT BEARINGS CAN WEAR PREMATURELY.

Consequence

SEIZURE OF THE BEARINGS CAN CAUSE WHEEL SEPARATION OR WHEEL END FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT HUBS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 20, 2003. 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.

Complaints by component

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
1
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
1
1crashes2injuries
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:HANGER/BRACKET
1
TRAILER HITCHES
1
1crashes
Total complaints4

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“2001 freightliner columbia class, unit 1 trailer became disconnected. Unit 1 trailer struck the power unit while attempting to stop. Unit 1 power unit and trailer came to rest in the right lane. *bf updated 03/21/11 *bf (ohio traffic crash report # 10-0047-90) *jb”

TRAILER HITCHES · reported 2011-01-23

“We have experienced 5 similar steering gear box failures on our 2001 freightliner columbia trucks. In each failure the truck would not turn. No accidents occurred in failures #2 - #5.on 12/20/01 our 2nd failure, [xxx] at 170780 miles, unit 3657.on 04/01/02 our 3rd failure, [xxx] at 238661 miles,…”

STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) · reported 2000-11-28

“Defective brake (axle five left side, push rod travel is 1/4 inch), brake shoes faile to move. Nlm”

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK · reported 2000-10-26

“Front spring hanger loose on frame axle #1, causing axle to shift. Nlm”

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:HANGER/BRACKET · reported 2000-10-26

Defect investigations

Investigation PE02088 Opened 2002-11-22 · closed 2003-05-01

INTEGRAL HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY

FREIGHTLINER SUBMITTED A DEFECT REPORT ON MARCH 21, 2003 IN WHICH THEY IDENTIFIED APPROXIMATELY 5000 TRUCKS AS POSSIBLY BEINGAFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM.ARVINMERITOR (FRONT AXLE MFR) SUBMITTED A DEFECT REPORT ONAPRIL 16, 2003, WHICH IDENTIFIES 6098 FREIGHTLINER TRUCKS ASBEING AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL AND 1191 AXLES SOLD…

Investigation PE02088 Opened 2002-11-22 · closed 2003-05-01

INTEGRAL HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY

FREIGHTLINER SUBMITTED A DEFECT REPORT ON MARCH 21, 2003 IN WHICH THEY IDENTIFIED APPROXIMATELY 5000 TRUCKS AS POSSIBLY BEINGAFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM.ARVINMERITOR (FRONT AXLE MFR) SUBMITTED A DEFECT REPORT ONAPRIL 16, 2003, WHICH IDENTIFIES 6098 FREIGHTLINER TRUCKS ASBEING AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL AND 1191 AXLES SOLD…

Investigation PE02088 Opened 2002-11-22 · closed 2003-05-01

INTEGRAL HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY

FREIGHTLINER SUBMITTED A DEFECT REPORT ON MARCH 21, 2003 IN WHICH THEY IDENTIFIED APPROXIMATELY 5000 TRUCKS AS POSSIBLY BEINGAFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM.ARVINMERITOR (FRONT AXLE MFR) SUBMITTED A DEFECT REPORT ONAPRIL 16, 2003, WHICH IDENTIFIES 6098 FREIGHTLINER TRUCKS ASBEING AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL AND 1191 AXLES SOLD…

Investigation PE03005 Opened 2003-02-07 · closed 2003-08-22

FRONT BRAKE AIR HOSE LEAKS

CERTAIN 1998-2001 FREIGHTLINER CENTURY AND COLUMBIA VEHICLES EXHIBIT A HIGHER RATE OF FRONT BRAKE AIR HOSE LEAKS THAN EARLIER VINTAGE FREIGHTLINER VEHICLES.THE LEAKS HAVE BEEN FREQUENTLY DISCOVERED AT FMCSA ROADSIDE INSPECTIONS SINCE THESE INSPECTIONS ARE CONDUCTED WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED (PRESSURIZING THE AIR HOSE)…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2001 Freightliner Columbia as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.