Freightliner FS-65 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints across the 3 model years of the Freightliner FS-65 (2000–2002) that have at least 5 complaints. 2001 has the most, with 12. Across all years, the part named most often is fuel system (21 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All FS-65 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 5 | 95,869 | 3 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 12 | 38,730 | 4 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 12 | — | 6 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Fuel system21 68%
- Body and structure5 16%
- Brakes3 9.7%
- Electrical system2 6.5%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2002: “Roseau school district operates a fleet of 26 buses covering approx. 1000 square miles in area. In 1999 roseau schools began purchasing buses with the cummins isb engines (an all electronic engine replacing the older b engines). The district now has 8 units with this particular engine. The district has been experiencing too many problems with sensors, check engine lights coming on and power derating when operating these engines. A common problem is lift pump failure causing retoactive failure to the injection pump (cummins name for the injection pump is the vp44 pump). …”
NHTSA complaint #10105924, filed 2005-01, 55,028 miles2001: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10155354, filed 2006-04, 64,934 miles2000: “Dt: the contact owned a 2000 Freightliner. Contact unable to get the recall repair work on fuel system done 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 help him to get the repair work done. The company was community bus services.”
NHTSA complaint #10130455, filed 2005-07Other Freightliner models
245 complaintsFreightliner Freightliner
112 complaintsFreightliner Columbia
86 complaintsFreightliner Conventional
58 complaintsFreightliner Century
36 complaintsFreightliner Business Class M2
31 complaintsFreightliner FL-70
24 complaintsFreightliner FLD120
18 complaints
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. Methodology