2001 Freightliner FS-65 Problems
- Complaints
- 12filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 38,730miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 4campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2001 Freightliner FS-65 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2001 Freightliner FS-65. The part named most often is fuel system, with 8 complaints (67% of the total), followed by brakes (3) and electrical system (2). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 38,730 miles. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the hoses, lines/piping, and fittings and 1 NHTSA investigation 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.
- Fuel system8 67%
- Brakes3 25%
- Electrical system2 17%
- Body and structure1 8.3%
Example complaints
Fuel system: “Dt: the contact owned a 2000 Freightliner. Contact was unable to get recall repair work on fuel system done. Had 20 of these vehicles, 2000-2001 year models. Could do the repairs themselves, but they could not do fast enough for the vehicle 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 #10130472, filed 2005-07Brakes: “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 milesMileage when problems were reported
50% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 20,879 and 56,581 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 05V205000Apr 27, 2005Fuel system, dieselCovers: Freightliner FS-65 1998–2002, Thomas MVP EF 1998–2003, MVP ER 1998–2003 +1 more
Certain 1998-2003 my freightliner fs-65 school bus chassis and mb-45, mb-55, and xb shuttle bus chassis, and thomas built bus: mvp-er and mvp-ef school bus and non-school bus models equipped with cummins isb diesel engines and equipped with federal-mogal 12…
- 04V343000Jul 12, 2004Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Freightliner FS-65 1996–2002
On certain school buses chassis equipped with caterpillar engines and hydraulic brakes. A braided ground strap for the starter may rub on a steel chassis brake line potentially causing a fluid leak.
- 02V084000Apr 2, 2002Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Freightliner FS-65 1999–2002
On certain school buses, the brake hoses from the chassis to front brake chambers could develop leaks due to the hose routing that could overstress the hose during sharp turns.
- 01V215000Jun 26, 2001Electrical system › WiringCovers: Freightliner FS-65 2000–2001
Vehicle description: bus chassis vehicles. An electrical pass-through connector may not fit in the firewall mounting hole correctly, resulting in the connector dislodging and an electrical terminal contacting the firewall.
Recall details for the 2001 Freightliner FS-65 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE02024Front air brake hose leakageClosed · Feb 22, 2002
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 2001 Freightliner FS-65.
Other model years of the Freightliner FS-65
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 5 | 95,869 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 12 | 38,730 | 4 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 12 | — | 6 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Freightliner FS-65 model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001 Freightliner FS-65 have?
NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2001 Freightliner FS-65 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2001 Freightliner FS-65 is reported most often?
Fuel system is named most often, in 8 complaints (67% of the total), followed by brakes with 3.
Has the 2001 Freightliner FS-65 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 4 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 2001 Freightliner FS-65 reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 38,730 miles and the middle half falls between 20,879 and 56,581 miles; 50% 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.