2004 Freightliner Columbia Problems
- Complaints
- 13filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 287,737miles, 7 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 10campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 Freightliner Columbia (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 2004 Freightliner Columbia. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 9 complaints (69% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (2) and electrical system (1). 7 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 287,737 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 6 an injury, 2 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns and 36 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns and 7 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns and 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling9 69%
- Electrical system1 7.7%
- Tires1 7.7%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “I have a Freightliner Columbia with a mbe 4000 mercedes engine. This is the second time I had to put the truck in a shop for an exhaust leak. This time the exhaust manifold was leaking fumes into the cab and made me sick with carbon monoxide. Took truck to penn detroit diesel in york haven,pa. They found that the exhaust manifold was off on port #1 and #2 by 1/16 inch there by allowing exhaust fumes to escape and enter the cab through the fresh air vent that is under the hood of the truck. They checked for exhaust leaks after the work was done and said it was fixed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10173131, filed 2006-11, 295,400 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “Clutch explode going down the highway and locked truck in gear and fragments went thought the bell housing. Could have hit other autos on hghway or could have sent fragment into cab of truck and injured or killed driver.”
NHTSA complaint #10129598, filed 2005-07, 206,407 milesElectrical system: “2004 Freightliner Columbia caught fire under the hood. According to the report, the fire started due to a possible short in the wring. Ohio traffic crash report”
NHTSA complaint #10201486, filed 2007-08Tires: “2004 Freightliner Columbia conventional tire blow out. Consumer stated that when the tire blew out it caused the second trailer to hit a guardrail in two locations. Ohio traffic crash report # 10-0013-89.”
NHTSA complaint #10218370, filed 2008-02Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 7 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 206,407 and 295,400 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 17V810000Dec 15, 2017EquipmentCovers: Freightliner Columbia 2002–2017, Western Star 4900 2002–2017, Freightliner Century Class 2002–2017 +5 more
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…
- 11V478000Sep 16, 2011Fuel system, dieselCovers: Freightliner Columbia 2004–2008, Business Class M2 2004–2008, FLD 2004–2008 +4 more
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…
- 09V366000Sep 23, 2009Engine and engine coolingCovers: Freightliner Columbia 2004–2010, FLD 2004–2010, Western Star 4900 2004–2010 +6 more
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.
- 07V302000Jul 16, 2007Service brakes, air › Supply › Check valveCovers: Freightliner Columbia 2003–2008, Business Class M2 2003–2008, Sterling L-Line 2003–2008 +15 more
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…
- 06V030000Feb 8, 2006Engine and engine coolingCovers: Freightliner Columbia 2004–2006, Western Star 4900 2004–2006, Sterling L-Line 2004–2006 +4 more
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.
- 05V408000Sep 13, 2005Steering › LinkagesCovers: Freightliner Columbia 2004, XC Motorhome Chassis 2004, FLD 2004 +2 more
On certain truck and motor home chassis equipped with I-shafts supplied by zf heavy duty steering, there is a potential for a failure of the fork/shaft connection.
See all 10 recalls for the 2004 Freightliner Columbia → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 36 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10187830Feb 19, 2021Engine cooling. Revised Technical Service Letter for Series 60 and Series 50 Camshaft Timing Specifications. Camshaft timing, valve lash, injector height, and Jake Brake lash are all very important specifications…
- 10188112Feb 15, 2021Engine cooling. Tech Talk discussion on Hard Cold Start.
- 10184785Dec 23, 2020Transmission and drivetrain. Revised Freightliner Service Bulletin for Axle Flange Gasket Replaced with O-Ring. Revision removed steps instructing removal and installation of wheels. Daimler Trucks North America has released a…
- 10181759Oct 27, 2020Electrical system, Equipment. Updated Freightliner Service Bulletin for Powernet Troubleshooting Guide - Batteries, Path, Alternator, and Starter. This bulletin replaces the version dated 5/31/2017. Information is added about…
- 10181049Oct 7, 2020Transmission and drivetrain, Equipment. Freightliner Service Bulletin for Axle Flange Gasket Replaced with O-Ring. Daimler Trucks North America has released a new axle shaft to hub rubber O-ring (part number 11-30728-000) as a replacement…
- 10170603Jan 21, 2020Engine cooling, Equipment. Technical Service Letter for DDC Series 60 engines concerning Series 60 Cylinder Head Resurfacing/Finish. Detroit Diesel does not recommend third party resurfacing of Series 60 cylinder heads…
- 10151600Sep 30, 2018Equipment. Service information Bulletin
- 10151510Jul 23, 2018Equipment. Operating Hours for the Customer Assistance Center
- 10195478Jun 28, 2018Electrical system. SS 1033638 - Power Window Express Down Module Discontinued
- 10141700Feb 26, 2018Engine cooling. sb2061 Replacement Shunt Tube, EPA07 Caterpillar C13 and C15 Engines
Other model years of the Freightliner Columbia
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 11 | 25,412 | 27 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2006 | 14 | 49,255 | 21 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 38 | 173,036 | 14 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 13 | 287,737 | 10 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 10 | 36,068 | 5 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Freightliner Columbia model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004 Freightliner Columbia have?
NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 2004 Freightliner Columbia as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2004 Freightliner Columbia is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 9 complaints (69% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 2.
Has the 2004 Freightliner Columbia been recalled?
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2004 Freightliner Columbia reported?
Among the 7 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 287,737 miles and the middle half falls between 206,407 and 295,400 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.