Total Complaints
14 filings
FREIGHTLINER FS-65 · model year
2001 FREIGHTLINER FS-65
14 NHTSA complaints, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2001FREIGHTLINERFS-65 carries 14 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 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 2001 FS-65 is fuel system, diesel with 8 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (3) and electrical system:starter assembly (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 4 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 2001 FS-65. 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.
14
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL | 8 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS | 1 |
Recalls (4)
05V20500027/04/2005
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
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 PUM
01V21500026/06/2001
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BUS CHASSIS VEHICLES. AN ELECTRICAL PASS-THROUGH CONNECTOR MAY NOT FIT IN THE FIREWALL MOUNTING HOLE CORRECTLY, RESULTING IN THE CONNECTOR DISLODGING AND AN ELECTRICAL TERMINAL CONTACTING THE FIREWALL.
04V34300012/07/2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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.
02V08400002/04/2002
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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.
Recent Complaints
20060414SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AT 35 MPH, THE PEDAL WOULD NOT COMPLETELY DEPRESS. THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT AS IF IT WAS "ROCK-HARD". THE BRAKES DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THREE YEARS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT A RECALL NOTIFICATION LETTER REGARDING THE ROTORS WAS RECEIVED FOR THIS VEHICLE AND THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED. HOWEVER, THE RECALL WORK DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE FREIGHTLINER RECALL #SF 258A-D. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT OFFER A SECOND REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE UNDER THE RECALL. UPDATED 07/25/06. *JB
Mileage: 64,934
20050728FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
DT:EDTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FREIGHTLINER. CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GET RECALL REPAIR WORK WORK ON FUEL SYSTEM DONE BECAUSE THE MANUFACTUREE WILL NOT PAY THE DEALERSHIP ENOUGH TO DO THE REPAIR WORK. HAD 20 OF THESE VEHICLES, 2000-2001 YEAR MODELS. COULD DO THE REPAIRS THEMSELVES, BUT THEY COULD NOT DO FAST ENOUGH FOR THE VEHICLES TO BE DONE BEFORE SCHOOL STARTED. THE DEALER WILL NOT LET ANY OF OTHER PERSON HELP HIM TO GET THE REPAIR WORK DONE. THE COMPANY WAS COMMUNITY BUS SERVICES.*AK
20050728FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
DT: CONTACT OWNED A 2000 FREIGHTLINER. CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GET THE RECALL WORK DON ON FUEL SYSTEM BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT PAY THE DEALERSHIP ENOUGH TO DO THE REPAIR WORK. HAD 20 OF THESE VEHICLES, 2000-2001 YEAR MODELS. COULD DO THE REPAIRS THEMSELVES, BUT THEY COULD NOT T DO FAST ENOUGH FOR THE VEHICLES TO BE DONE BEFORE SCHOOL STARTED. . THE DEALER WILL NOT LET ANY OTHER PERSON HELP HIM TO GET THE REPAIR WORK DONE. THE COMPANY WAS COMMUNITY BUS SERVICES.*AK
20050728FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 FREIGHTLINER. CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GET RECALL REPAIR WORK DON EON FUEL SYSTEM BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT PAY THE DEALERSHIP ENOUGH TO DO THE REPAIR WORK. HAD 20 OF THESE VEHICLES, 2000-2001 YEAR MODELS. COULD DO THE REPAIRS THEMSELVES, BUT THEY COULD NOT DO FAST ENOUGH FOR THE VEHICLES TO BE DONE BEFORE SCHOOL STARTED. THE DEALER WILL NOT LET ANY OTHER PERSON TO HELP HIM TO GET THE REPAIR WORK DONE. THE COMPANY WAS COMMUNITY BUS SERVICES.*AK
20050728FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 FREIGHTLINER. CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GET RECALL REPAIR WORK ON FUEL SYSTEM DONE. HAD 20 OF THESE VEHICLES, 2000-2001 YEAR MODELS. COULD DO THE REPAIRS THEMSELVES, BUT THEY COULD NOT DO FAST ENOUGH FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE DONE BEFORE SCHOOL STARTED. THE DEALER WILL NOT LET ANY OTHER PERSON HELP HIM TO GET THE REPAIR WORK DONE. THE COMPANY WAS COMMUNITY BUS SERVICES.*AK
20050728FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 FREIGHTLINER. CONTACT WAS IS UNABLE TO GET RECALL REPAIR WORK DONE ON FUEL SYSTEM BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT PAY THE DEALERSHIP ENOUGH TO DO THE REPAIR WORK. HAD 20 OF THESE VEHICLES, 2000-2001 YEAR MODELS. COULD DO THE REPAIRS THEMSELVES, BUT THEY COULD NOT DO FAST ENOUGH FOR THE VEHICLES TO BE DONE BEFORE SCHOOL STARTED. THE DEALER WILL NOT LET ANY OF OTHER PERSON HELP HIM TO GET THE REPAIR WORK DONE. THE COMPANY WAS COMMUNITY BUS SERVICES.*AK
20050728FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 FREIGHTLINER. HE STATED WAS UNABLE TO GET THE RECALL REPAIR WORK DONE ON FUEL SYSTEM BECAUSE THE MANUFACTUREE WILL NOT PAY THE DEALERSHIP ENOUGH TO DO THE REPAIR WORK. HAD 20 OF THESE VEHICLES, 2000-2001 YEAR MODELS. COULD DO THE REPAIRS THEMSELVES, BUT THEY COULD NOT DO FAST ENOUGH FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE DONE BEFORE SCHOOL STARTED. THE DEALER WILL NOT LET ANY OF OTHER PERSON HELP HIM TO GET THE REPAIR WORK DONE. THE COMPANY WA SCOMMUNITY BUS SERVICES.*AK
20050728FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 FREIGHTLINER. CONTACT STATED THAT WAS UNABLE TO GET RECALL REPAIR WORK DONE ON FUEL SYSTEM BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT PAY THE DEALERSHIP ENOUGH TO DO THE REPAIR WORK. HA D 20 OF THESE VEHICLES 2000-2001 YEAR MODELS. COULD DO THE REPAIRS THEMSELVES, BUT THEY COULD DO FAST ENOUGH FOR THE VEHICLES TO BE DONE BEFORE SCHOOL STARTED. THE DEALER WILL NOT LET ANY OF OTHER PEOPLE HELP HIM TO GET THE REPAIR WORK DONE. THE COMPANY WAS COMMUNITY BUS SERVICES.
20050728FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 FREIGHTLINER. CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GET RECALL REPAIR WORK BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT PAY THE DEALERSHIP ENOUGH TO DO THE REPAIR WORK. DEALER HAD 20 OF THESE VEHICLES 2000-2001 MODELS. COULD DO THESE REPAIRS THEMSELVES, BUT THEY COULD NOT DO FAST ENOUGH FOR THE VEHICLES TO BE READY BEFORE SCHOOL STARTED. THE DEALER WILL NOT LET ANY OF OTHER PERSON HELP HIM TO GET THE REPAIR WORK DONE. THE COMPANY WAS COMMUNITY BUS SERVICES.
20031215ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
STARTER GROUND STRAP RUBBED HOLE IN STEEL BRAKE LINE LOCATED NEAR THE STARTER. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE PRESSURE. *AK
Mileage: 56,581
20031215SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
STARTER GROUND STRAP RUBBED HOLE IN STEEL BRAKE LINE LOCATED NEAR THE STARTER. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE PRESSURE. *AK
Mileage: 56,581
20031215ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
STARTER GROUND STRAP RUBBED HOLE IN STEEL BRAKE LINE LOCATED NEAR THE STARTER. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE PRESSURE. *AK
Mileage: 20,879
20031215SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
STARTER GROUND STRAP RUBBED HOLE IN STEEL BRAKE LINE LOCATED NEAR THE STARTER. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE PRESSURE. *AK
Mileage: 20,879
20030114STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
CONSUMER STATED THE ROOF LEAKS AND CAUSES UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE ROOF LEAKS WHEN IT RAINS. THE WATER DROPS INTO THE INTERIOR, ONTO THE DRIVERS CLOTHES, SEAT, STEERING WHEEL, AND VISION, MAKING IT WET AND IMPAIRED. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO SEEK HELP FROM THE DEALER/MANUFACTURER WITHOUT SUCCESS, AND BELIEVES THE ROOFING SYSTEM IS UNFIT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO BE REPAIRED. SCC *JB
Mileage: 65
Compare 2001FREIGHTLINERFS-65 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
PE24032Preliminary EvaluationClosed
EVDM connector plate separation
PE21006Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Halogen Headlights May Cause Fires
PE21002Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Trolley bus circuit breaker fires
PE20014Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Failure
PE20006Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Intermittent Loss of Power Steering Assist
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2001 FREIGHTLINER FS-65 have?▼
The 2001 FREIGHTLINER FS-65 has 14 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2001 FREIGHTLINER FS-65?▼
Yes, the 2001 FREIGHTLINER FS-65 has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 FREIGHTLINER FS-65?▼
The most-complained component for the 2001 FREIGHTLINER FS-65 is FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL with 8 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY.
Is the 2001 FREIGHTLINER FS-65 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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.