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Freightliner ColumbiaModel year report

2006 Freightliner Columbia Problems

Complaints
14filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
49,255miles, 7 complaints with mileage
Recalls
21campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2006 Freightliner Columbia (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2006 Freightliner Columbia. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 6 complaints (43% of the total), followed by brakes (2) and electrical system (1). 7 of the complaints include a mileage, and 57% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 49,255 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 5 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 21 recall campaigns and 213 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 4 recall campaigns covering the diesel and 30 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the reservoir/tank 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.

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “I have carbon monoxide in my 2006 Freightliner Columbia with a mercedes motor. I have black soot that is in my vents all the time, I have constant headaches when in the truck and am tired, along with other things.”

NHTSA complaint #10276952, filed 2009-07, 270,000 miles

Brakes: “The spring in the parking brake chamber failed, broke in 3 places. Then punctured the diaphragm causing a major air leak, the truck is equipped with four spring brake chambers, 3 out of the four springs were broken, the chamber that the spring was not broken was installed a few weeks prior to the incident. …”

NHTSA complaint #10443850, filed 2012-01, 273,886 miles

Electrical system: “The power wire coming from the alternator (approx. 4 gauge wire cable & encased in protective sleeve), wears thru by rubbing on the wires support assembly exposing the wire. The wire support assembly located on the trucks underside, there are (2) two individual wire supports, both of these assemblies are rubbing at both locations exposing the power wire in two places. Creating the potential for a fire hazard.”

NHTSA complaint #10514193, filed 2013-05

Equipment: “2006 Freightliner Columbia left front mudflap broke off vehicle and struck another vehicle. Ohio traffic crash report # 10-0023-90 updated letter 04/29/10”

NHTSA complaint #10312117, filed 2010-02

Mileage when problems were reported

57% of the 7 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 26,014 and 60,694 miles.

29%0–100%10–2529%25–5014%50–750%75–1000%100–15029%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (7 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 49,255 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2005200632007200820092010201220132014
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

See all 21 recalls for the 2006 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. 213 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 213 bulletins →

Other model years of the Freightliner Columbia

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20071125,41227———Not enough data
20061449,25521———Not enough data
200538173,03614——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200413287,73710———Not enough data
20031036,0685———Not enough data

All Freightliner Columbia model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006 Freightliner Columbia have?

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2006 Freightliner Columbia as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2006 Freightliner Columbia is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 6 complaints (43% of the total), followed by brakes with 2.

Has the 2006 Freightliner Columbia been recalled?

NHTSA lists 21 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 2006 Freightliner Columbia reported?

Among the 7 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 49,255 miles and the middle half falls between 26,014 and 60,694 miles; 57% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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.