FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA · model year

2005 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA

44 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 14 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2005FREIGHTLINERCOLUMBIA carries 44 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 2 fires, 12 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 COLUMBIA is power train:clutch assembly with 17 filings, followed by power train:clutch assembly:bell housing (7) and tires (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 14 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 38 investigation files overlapping the 2005 COLUMBIA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

44
Complaints
1
Crashes
2
Fires
12
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

44 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY17
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:BELL HOUSING7
TIRES2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS2
STRUCTURE1
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL1
WHEELS:RIM1
SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB1
WHEELS:HUB1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1

Recalls (14)

05V18500027/04/2005

WHEELS

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH ACCURIDE ALUMINUM WHEELS, THE WHEELS WERE NOT PROPERLY PRE-STRESSED. THIS ALLOWS CRACKS TO DEVELOP OVER TIME.

09V36600023/09/2009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR C15 ENGINE. THE VARIABLE VALVE ACTUATION OIL LINE MAY RUB AGAINST THE P-CLIPS RETAINING THE OIL LINE, CAUSING AN OIL LEAK.

11V47800016/09/2011

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2008 HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 11, 2003, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 28, 2007, EQUIPPED WITH EPA04 MODEL MBE4000 ENGINES BUILT WITH PLASTIC LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINES AND FUEL FILTERS MOUNTED NEAR THE CENTER OF THE ENGINE ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE

07V30200016/07/2007

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:CHECK VALVE

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 SPRI

17V81000015/12/2017

EQUIPMENT

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 tha

19V37000014/05/2019

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:RESERVOIR/TANK

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2004-2019 Freightliner 108SD, 114SD, 122SD, Cascadia, Columbia, Classic, FL80, FLD 120SD, Business Class M2, Western Star 4700, 4900, 6900, Sterling Acterra, L7500, LT7500, L8500, LT8500, L9500, and LT9500 vehicles. The vehicles may have

11V51400013/10/2011

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA, COLUMBIA, CENTURY, CORONADO, AND CLASSIC XL TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 1, 2004, THROUGH JUNE 15, 2010 FOR THE RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM. THE LOWER PINION BEARING MAY CORRODE AND FAIL. A FAILED BEARING MAY

08V11300011/03/2008

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 62,000 MY 2005-2007 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS, CENTURY CLASS, COLUMBIA, CORONADO, FLD, CLASSIC, STERLING A-LINE, L-LINE, AND WESTERN STAR 4900 TRUCKS. A FRACTURED FUEL LINE COULD LEAK DIESEL FUEL.

06V03000008/02/2006

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR DIESEL ENGINES, THE VARIABLE VALVE ACTUATION OIL LINE MAY WEAR AGAINST THE SHARP EDGE OF THE CYLINDER HEAD IF NOT POSITIONED CORRECTLY.

07V40300006/09/2007

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH RACK AND PINION STEERING, THE BALL SOCKET ASSEMBLY AT THE INNER END OF THE DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD MAY BE DAMAGED IN A SHARP TURN. EXCESSIVE TIE ROD ANGLES MAY LOOSEN THE TIE ROD IN THE BALL SOCKET OR DAMAGE THE THREADED TIE ROD SOCKET ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING RACK ON

05V46700005/10/2005

SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE

CERTAIN 2005 THOMAS BUILT FS-65 AND C-2 SCHOOL BUSES AND 2005 FREIGHTLINER ARGOSY, COLUMBIA, CENTURY ST, AND M2 BUSINESS CLASS TRUCKS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 4 AND JULY 8, 2005. THE SPINDLES IN THE REAR AXLE HOUSING WERE OVERHEATED DURING THE HEAT TREATMENT PROCESS. INCORRECTLY HEAT TREATED SPIN

07V40000005/09/2007

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH RACK AND PINION STEERING, THE TIE ROD ARMS MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY INSTALLED. THE THREADED END OF THE BALL SOCKET ASSEMBLY MAY FRACTURE AND SEPARATE.

06V19000005/06/2006

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE PROTECTIVE COVER FOR THE CAB POWER DISTRIBUTION MODEL (PDM) MAY BE MISSING OR IMPROPERLY INSTALLED.

07V28900003/07/2007

STEERING:COLUMN

CERTAIN FREIGHTLINER SCHOOL BUSES AND TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 23, 2004, TO MARCH 21, 2006. DURING THE STEERING COLUMN MANUFACTURING PROCESS TWO WELDS MAY HAVE BEEN MISSING.

Recent Complaints

20120625SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. A LOCAL MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE MEHCANIC STATED THAT THE BRAKE VALVE FAILED AND WAS ALLOWING AIR TO ESCAPE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 106,222.

Mileage: 106,222

20111202FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

LOW PRESSURE, ERG VALVE, LEAKAGE, AND THE LOST OF POWER THAT THE TRUNK CANT BE CONTROLLED. *TR

20111202SUSPENSION

LOW PRESSURE, ERG VALVE, LEAKAGE, AND THE LOST OF POWER THAT THE TRUNK CANT BE CONTROLLED. *TR

20111202ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

LOW PRESSURE, ERG VALVE, LEAKAGE, AND THE LOST OF POWER THAT THE TRUNK CANT BE CONTROLLED. *TR

20110629TIRES

1990 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA, UNIT 1 WAS TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE IN THE RIGHT LANE WHEN THE RIGHT TIRE OF THE TRAILER SUDDENLY CAME OFF THE RIM OF THE TRAILER. UNIT 1 CAME TO FINAL REST ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE ROAD. *BF THE DRIVER STATED EVER SINCE THE COMPANY SWITCHED TO SUPER SINGLE TIRES, EVERYONE HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING SOME TYPE OF TIRE FAILURE. THE RIM WAS DAMAGED. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0336-90)*JB UPDATED 8/30/11 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRE BLOW OUT OCCURRED ON THE TRACTOR, NOT THE TRAILER.

20110601FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2005 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA, UNIT 1 NOTICED SMOKE FROM HIS TRAILER AS HE PULLED AWAY FROM THE BOOTH AT EXIT 142. UNIT 1 PULLED TO THE BERM ON THE ON THE RAMP AND FOUND THE TRAILER WAS ON FIRE. THE TRACTOR WAS DISCONNECTED FROM THE TRAILER AND PULLED AHEAD . *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0264-90)

20100830WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

2005 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA , SUFFERED A MECHANICAL FAILURE WITH LEFT REAR DRIVE AXLE DUAL ASSEMBLY. *BF THE ASSEMBLY DETACHED FROM THE SEMI AND CROSSED INTO THE EASTBOUND LANES. THE BOLTS HOLDING THE TIRE ON HAD COMPLETELY SHEARED OFF. (OHO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0316-89) *JB UPDATED 09/13/10*BF

20090917WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

2005 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA WAS STOPPING FOR A TOLL BOOTH WHEN BOTH REAR RIGHT WHEELS DETACHED FROM THE SECOND REAR AXLE. ONE TIRE BROKE THE WINDOW OF THE TOLL BUILDING. *KB THE LUG NUTS BROKE OFF ON THE RIGHT SIDE SECOND TO THE REAR AXLE. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0752-91.

20071024FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2005 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA CAUGHT FIRE IN THE DASHBOARD DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL DEFECT. *KB (OHIIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT)*JB

Mileage: 193,000

20060918ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING EYES START TO BURN, STARTED GETTING TIRED AFTER 4 HOURS, FUMES COMING FROM AIR CONDITION VENTS, WHILE AIR CONDITION WAS ON, ALSO FILM ON WINDOWS. I DON'T SMOKE. SUSPECT EXHAUST FUMES. ALSO WITH COTTON SWAB COULD PICK UP SOOT DEPOSITS ON AIR VENTS. *JB

20060918ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

WHILE DRIVING EYES START TO BURN, STARTED GETTING TIRED AFTER 4 HOURS, FUMES COMING FROM AIR CONDITION VENTS, WHILE AIR CONDITION WAS ON, ALSO FILM ON WINDOWS. I DON'T SMOKE. SUSPECT EXHAUST FUMES. ALSO WITH COTTON SWAB COULD PICK UP SOOT DEPOSITS ON AIR VENTS. *JB

20060530ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

I TOOK POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE IN JANUARY 06 AND HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN THE SHOP 4 TIMES FOR APRROX 2 WEEKS EACH TIME FOR AN EXHAUST LEAK IN THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE AND IN THE SLEEPING AREA THE MANUFACTURER OF THE VEHICLE STATED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT DID NOT HAVE A 100% FIX FOR IT AND THE PARTS THEY WERE TRYING WERE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GET.. ON MAY 25 2006 THE PROBLEM HAD GOT TO A POINT THAT IT PUT ME IN THE ER WITH CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. *JB

Mileage: 76,454

20060323ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT'S EYES AND LUNGS BURNED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES AND IT WAS DETERMINED THE EXHAUST GAS WAS LEAKING. THE EXHAUST GASKET AND MANIFOLD BOLTS WERE REPLACED, BUT THIS HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 5/16/2006 - *NM

Mileage: 180,759

20060118CrashWHEELS:HUB

REGARDING O.D.I. #10136263 I HAVE FOLLOWED THE RECALL FREIGHTLINER FL451 RECALL#05V285000. I HAD A WHEEL OFF SEPARATION DUE TO THIS HUB!! FAILURE. I WAS INJURED SO BADLY, THAT I CANNOT GET INSURANCE AT ALL. I HAVE TALK AND SHOWED THIS HUB TO SOME WELL KNOWN PEOPLE ABOUT THIS. THE THEORY OF THE BRAKE DRUM CAUSING THE PROBLEM IS VERY! HARD TO BELIEVE. THE TRUTURN DRUM IS CONMETS. I HAVE X30 ARVIN MERITOR. WHY DID THEY TERMINATE THE HUB! THE HUB WEIGHTS IS ONLY LESS THAN 2LB. LIGHTER. WHEN MY TRUCK WAS WORKED ON THEY REFUSSED TO COVER IT UNDER WARRENTY. I HAVE REPLACED BOTH HUBS AT MY EXSPENSE BECAUSE, I COULD NOT PUT SOMETHING THAT DANGEROUS OUT THERE AFTER KNOWING WHAT I KNOW. CONMET TOLD FREIGHTLINER ABOUT THE PROBLEM IN NOVEMBER 2004. SO THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, YET STILL DID NOTHING, THEY HAD MY TRUCK ABOUT 16 DAYS, AND DID NOTHING IT TOOK OVER 2 MONTHS BEFORE ANYONE TRIED TO CONTACT ME I HIRED A LAWER. *JB

Mileage: 118,997

20050912SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB

DT: 2005 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA. THE FRONT HUB BROKE, THE CASTING CAME COMPLETELY APART. THE NEW HUB IS A DIFFERENT STYLE THAN THE ORIGINAL. THE CONSUMER BROKE A BONE IN HIS NECK, AND HAS TWO BAD DISCS IN BOTH SHOULDERS. THERE WAS NO WRECK WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. HE WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 50-55 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED ON JULY 19, 2005. HE COULD NOT GET AN ANSWER FROM FREIGHTLINER WHY THIS HAPPENED. THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW WHY THERE WAS A DIFFERENT HUB, AND IF HE SHOULD REPLACE THE OTHER ONE AS WELL. THE DOCTOR HAS YET TO RELEASE HIM FOR WORK. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT AXLE, BRAKE DRUM, WHEEL, TIRE, THE ABS VALVE, AND I-BEAM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS A RESULT OF THIS.*AK UPDATED

Mileage: 118,997

20050909POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

CLUTCH WOULD NOT RELEASE, HAD TOWED TO SHOP REPLACE CLUTCH. *NM

Mileage: 173,036

20050909POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

CLUTCH MAKING NOISE AND HARD TO GET TO RELEASE, REPLACE CLUTCH. *NM

Mileage: 97,543

20050909POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

CLUTCH MAKING NOISE AND HARD TO GET INTO GEAR, REPLACED CLUTCH. *NM

Mileage: 96,959

20050908POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

CLUCTH WOULD NOT RELEASE SOMETIMES, CHECK AND FOUND CLUTCH COMING APART. REPLACE CLUTCH. *NM

Mileage: 174,587

20050908POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT AT TIMES, HAS AUTO SHIFT TOP HOUSING, CHECK AND FOUND CLUTCH WOULD NOT RELEASE AT TIMES, REPLACE CLUTCH . WORKS FINE NOW. *NM

Mileage: 231,929

Compare 2005FREIGHTLINERCOLUMBIA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2005 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA have?
The 2005 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA has 44 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 2 fires, 12 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2005 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA?
Yes, the 2005 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA has 14 recall(s). The most common affected component is WHEELS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA?
The most-complained component for the 2005 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA is POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY with 17 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:BELL HOUSING and TIRES.
Is the 2005 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.