2006 Freightliner Columbia Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 43%of 14 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 49,255miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2006 Freightliner Columbia, 43% of the 14 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 49,255 miles. 4 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“I am a company driver, got in this truck in feb of 2006, can smell fumes coming into cab, air cond vents, having headaches, eyes burning, went to doctor in june of 2006, he said my blood pressure was 200/110. Never have had problems before. Don't smoke or drink. When I get out of truck for a few days start to feel better, but when I get back in, the same thing all over again. I am now spitting up a little bit of flem. Why are the fumes coming into my cab, thru the air cond vents, have talked to other drivers with same problem. Why aren't drivers told about this? This is dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #10177205, filed 2006-12, 49,255 miles“Been driving this truck now almost 3 months, getting burning eyes, headaches, tired all the time,blood pressure going up, joint problems, vomiting. Put face up to air condition vent makes me dizzy, eyes burning, fumes coming through the air condition vents. Having problems with memory, having problems waking up, never had these problems before.”
NHTSA complaint #10174572, filed 2006-11, 60,694 miles“My company has taken delivery of 3 of 10 new 2006 Columbia Freightliner tractors with 70 inch sleepers. All are equipped with mbe 4000 engines with EGR. All 3 the drivers have complained of exhaust fumes in the cab at various times. One driver started his truck and went inside the office to do some paperwork he returned approx 20 mins later climbed into his truck and he noticed a slight smell of exhaust in the cab. He turned on his heater and was overcome with exhaust fumes that lead to his emergency room visit for co poisoning. …”
NHTSA complaint #10146240, filed 2005-12, 1,500 miles“The contact owns a 2006 Freightliner Columbia. Prior to driving the vehicle, the contact discovered an oil leak, coolant leak, intake manifold leak, and exhaust manifold gasket leak. The vehicle was taken to the dealer approximately 15 times for engine failure due to leaks and other engine work. The dealer replaced the exhaust manifold gasket twice, the acm screw, the head gasket four times, the EGR valve, and the intake manifold. The VIN was unknown. The current mileage was 357,000 and failure mileage was 26,014.”
NHTSA complaint #10235968, filed 2008-07, 26,014 milesRelated recalls
- 12V074000Feb 28, 2012Daimler trucks (dtna) is recalling certain model year 2006-2013 freightliner, sterling, and western star vehicles, equipped with detroit diesel epa07 and…Covers: Freightliner Columbia 2006–2013, Business Class M2 2006–2013, Century 2006–2013 +7 more
- 11V146000Mar 3, 2011Daimler trucks (dtna) is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2011 freightliner, cascadia, century, columbia fld, and m2, sterling 9500, and western star…Covers: Freightliner Columbia 2006–2011, Century 2006–2011, Western Star 4900 2006–2011 +4 more
- 09V366000Sep 23, 2009Daimler trucks is recalling model year 2004-2010 trucks equipped with caterpillar c15 engine. The variable valve actuation oil line may rub against the…Covers: Freightliner Columbia 2004–2010, FLD 2004–2010, Western Star 4900 2004–2010 +6 more
- 06V030000Feb 8, 2006On 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…Covers: Freightliner Columbia 2004–2006, Western Star 4900 2004–2006, Sterling L-Line 2004–2006 +4 more
Related service bulletins
- 10187830Feb 19, 2021Revised 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…
- 10170603Jan 21, 2020Technical 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…
- 10141707Feb 26, 2018sb2069 Kysor Fan Clutch Sticking
- 10141706Feb 26, 2018sb2068 Conventional Fully-Formulated Coolant with SCA Color Change
- 10141702Feb 26, 2018sb2063 Coolant Filter Inspection Procedure, DD13 DD15 DD16 Only
- 10141700Feb 26, 2018sb2061 Replacement Shunt Tube, EPA07 Caterpillar C13 and C15 Engines
- 10141699Feb 26, 2018sb2059 Replacing Push-to-Connect Air Line Fittings with Brass Compression Fittings
- 10141698Feb 26, 2018sb2058 Early EPA07 QLD Radiator Replacement
- 10141694Feb 26, 2018sb2053 New Stainless Steel Lower Radiator Tubes
- 10141693Feb 26, 2018sb2052 Horton Drivemaster Fan Clutch Hub Bearings
Engine cooling: other model years
Other parts of the 2006 Freightliner Columbia
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Freightliner Columbia
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology