2008 Freightliner Fld recalls & complaints

1. Trailer Hitches

What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. ON CERTAIN TRUCK-TRACTORS EQUIPPED WITH HOLLAND SIMPLEX SE OR SE II FIFTH WHEELS, THE LATCH LEVER PIVOT BOLT ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN OVER-TIGHTENED WHICH COULD DISTORT THE PIVOT BOLT SPACER SLEEVE. CORROSION OR CONTAMINATES IN THE PIVOT MAY CAUSE IT TO BIND AND PREVENT THE FIFTH WHEEL JAW FROM LATCHING SECURELY AROUND THE TRAILER KING PIN.

What could happen: THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE FIFTH WHEEL MAY FAIL TO LATCH WITHOUT THE DRIVER'S KNOWLEDGE. WHEN THE OCCURS, THE DRIVER COULD DRIVE AWAY AND THE TRAILER COULD BECOME DISENGAGED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PIVOT BOLT AND SLEEVE WITH A HEX HEAD SHOULDER BOLT AND WASHER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 3, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2008 FLD.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 07V530000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-547-0712.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

2. Steering

What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRW STEERING GEARS, MODELS TAS85 AND RCS85, THESE STEERING GEARS CONTAIN POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE SECTOR SHAFTS WITH AN INCORRECT GEAR TOOTH WHICH MAY INTERFERE WITH THE RACK-PISTON TEETH, RESULTING IN A STICK OR BIND CONDITION.

What could happen: THIS CONDITION HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE THE STEERING GEAR TO STALL AND RESTRICT THE STEERING TURNING ANGLE OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

The fix: FREIGHTLINER IS WORKING WITH TRW TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING GEAR (PLEASE SEE 07E101). THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2008 FLD.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 07V592000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-547-0712.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

3. Lights

What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. The rear reflective tape may be partially covered by the mudflap hanger bracket, which may reduce the vehicle's visibility to other drivers on the road. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

What could happen: The vehicle's rearward visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and reposition the reflective tape to ensure that it is completely visible, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 29, 2020. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL848.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2008 FLD.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 20V214000 (manufacturer code FL848).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-547-0712.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

4. Fuel system

What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. THE PLASTIC LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINE BETWEEN ENGINE MOUNTED FUEL FILTER AND ENGINE BLOCK MAY DEVELOP A SUBSTANTIAL DIESEL FUEL LEAK.

What could happen: THIS COULD CREATE A ROAD HAZARD INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

The fix: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED BY DETROIT DIESEL CORPORATION AUTHORIZED REPAIR FACILITIES. VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND THE PLASTIC LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A STEEL LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM LETTER WAS…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2008 FLD.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 11V478000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-547-0712.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

5. Engine

What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. THE INTAKE AIR GRID HEATER MAY SHORT CIRCUIT AND FAIL DUE TO EXCESSIVE INTERNAL TEMPERATURES.

What could happen: A SHORT CIRCUITED GRID HEATER COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE AND INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

The fix: DTNA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE RECALL DURING MARCH 2011. ANOTHER NOTIFICATION WILL BE ISSUED ONCE THE REMEDY IS RELEASED. DTNA EXPECTS THE REMEDY TO BE AVAILABLE BY DECEMBER 1, 2011. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY DTNA DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DTNA TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-547-0712. THIS RECALL IS ASSCO…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2008 FLD.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 11V146000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-547-0712.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

6. Engine

What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. THE VARIABLE VALVE ACTUATION OIL LINE MAY RUB AGAINST THE P-CLIPS RETAINING THE OIL LINE, CAUSING AN OIL LEAK.

What could happen: AN OIL LEAK MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.

The fix: DAIMLER TRUCKS IS WORKING WITH CATERPILLAR TO REMEDY THESE VEHICLES. PLEASE SEE CATERPILLAR'S DEFECT REPORT 09E-020. CATERPILLAR WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 5, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CATERPILLAR TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-447-4986 OR DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-54…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2008 FLD.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 09V366000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-447-4986.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

7. Fuel system

What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. THE PLASTIC LINES MAY EXPERIENCE LEAKS DUE TO FATIGUE CRACKS CAUSED BY STRESS AND VIBRATION COMBINED WITH HIGH INTERNAL PRESSURE.

What could happen: IF A DIESEL FUEL LEAK CONTINUES UNDETECTED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS FUEL MAY IGNITE ON A HOT ENGINE SURFACE AND/OR FUEL MAY SPILL ON THE ROAD INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

The fix: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED BY DETROIT DIESEL CORPORATION AUTHORIZED REPAIR FACILITIES AND DIRECT WARRANTY CUSTOMERS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 7, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2008 FLD.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 09V391000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-547-0712.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

8. Engine

What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. THE INTAKE AIR GRID HEATER MAY SHORT CIRCUIT AND FAIL DUE TO EXCESSIVE INTERNAL TEMPERATURES.

What could happen: A SHORT CIRCUITED GRID HEATER COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE AND INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

The fix: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY DETROIT DIESEL CORPORATION AUTHORIZED REPAIR FACILITIES. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JULY 29, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-547-0712.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2008 FLD.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 10V341000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-547-0712.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

9. Fuel system

What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, A MANUFACTURING ERROR IN THE FUEL-WATER SEPARATOR PREHEATER THERMOSWITCH MAY PREVENT THE FUEL PREHEATER FROM TURNING OFF IF THE IGNITION IS LEFT ON. IF THE IGNITION SWITCH IS LEFT ON WHEN FUEL IS ADDED TO THE FUEL- WATER SEPARATOR AT THE FACTORY OR DURING A FILTER ELEMENT CHANGE, A SMALL FLAME MAY OCCUR INSIDE THE FILTER COVER.

What could happen: THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR THE FLAME TO SPREAD RESULTING IN POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL FILTER DATE CODE AND THERMOSWITCH LOT CODE TO DETERMINE IF THEY CONTAIN THE SUSPECT COMPONENT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 4, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2008 FLD.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 07V335000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-547-0712.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

10. Engine

What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. DAIMLER TRUCKS HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA, FLD, STERLING 9500 AND WESTERN STAR 4900 EMERGENCY VEHICLES. THE ENGINE MAY SHUT DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN A DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER OVER TEMPERATURE CONDITION IS DETECTED.

What could happen: UNEXPECTED EMERGENCY VEHICLE ENGINE SHUTDOWN UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD HAMPER RESCUE OPERATIONS AND PLACE THE PUBLIC AT RISK.

The fix: THE ENGINE CONTROL LOGIC WILL BE REPROGRAMMED TO ILLUMINATE A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT WITHOUT REQUESTING ENGINE SHUTDOWN. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY DETROIT DIESEL. PLEASE SEE DAIMLER TRUCKS DEFECT REPORT 10E-005. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 17, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DETROIT DIESEL AT 1-313-592-5800 OR…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2008 FLD.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 10V112000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-313-592-5800.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Most complained-about parts: Unknown Or Other (1).

Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.