2002 Freightliner FS-65 Problems
- Complaints
- 5filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 95,869miles, 5 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Freightliner FS-65 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2002 Freightliner FS-65. The part named most often is body and structure, with 4 complaints (80% of the total), followed by fuel system (1). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 95,869 miles. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign 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.
- Body and structure4 80%
- Fuel system1 20%
Example complaints
Body and structure: “The contact owns a 2002 Freightliner fs65 school bus. The contact stated that after completing a routine maintenance on the vehicle they noticed that the cross member frame was crack. The manufacturer was notified of the failure who stated they will reimburse for the parts but not for the labor. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 71,525.”
NHTSA complaint #10476809, filed 2012-09, 71,525 milesFuel system: “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 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 71,525 and 129,210 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.
Recall details for the 2002 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 2002 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 2002 Freightliner FS-65 have?
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2002 Freightliner FS-65 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2002 Freightliner FS-65 is reported most often?
Body and structure is named most often, in 4 complaints (80% of the total), followed by fuel system with 1.
Has the 2002 Freightliner FS-65 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 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 2002 Freightliner FS-65 reported?
Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 95,869 miles and the middle half falls between 71,525 and 129,210 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 28, 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.