Does the 2003 Freightliner Columbia have any recalls?

5 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: equipment, service brakes, air, seats, power train. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.

How do I check if my 2003 Freightliner Columbia recall has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Freightliner dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2003 Freightliner Columbia?

10 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.

2003 Freightliner Columbia recalls

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

5 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026

For the 2003 Freightliner Columbia. These apply to the model and year, not to one particular vehicle: check your VIN to see whether yours is included and whether it has been repaired.

Has your Freightliner been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

Check your VIN with NHTSA

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Freightliner dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.

2003 Freightliner Columbia recalls, newest first

December 15, 2017NHTSA 17V81000024,860 vehicles potentially affected

Equipment

Summary: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2002-2017 Freightliner Cascadia, Century Class, Columbia and Coronado trucks and Western Star 4700, 4900, 5700, 5900 and 6900 trucks. These vehicles are equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers that may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Consequence: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and instruct them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on April 11, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712, or contact Kidde customer service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-759.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

July 16, 2007NHTSA 07V30200075,000 vehicles potentially affected

Service brakes, air › Supply › Check valve

Summary: Certain freightliner school bus chassis, heavy trucks, and thomas built school buses manufactured between July 2002 and July 3, 2007, equipped with bendix SR-7 spring brake control valves. The parker scv brass 90 degree single check valves (scv) which attach to the supply port of a bendix SR-7 spring brake modulating valve can break apart. Pieces of the parker scv can become lodged inside the SR-7 spring brake modulating valve, potentially causing either leakage out of the SR-7 valve or preventing air from properly exhausting from the SR-7 valve. Also, due to a manufacturing defect in the internal rubber check valve inside the SR-7 spring brake modulating valves, the valves can become deformed and not seat properly.
Consequence: These conditions could either result in leakage and cause a delay in the application of the spring brake without warning or possibly lead to unintended vehicle rollaway or brake drag which could result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or death.
Remedy: Freightliner will notify owners and repair the vehicles free of charge. The recall began on January 11, 2008 to freightliner, sterling, and freightliner custom chassis owners; to thomas built bus owners on February 1, 2008. Owners can contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

January 3, 2005NHTSA 05V0010001,770 vehicles potentially affected

Seats

Summary: On certain trucks equipped with seats built by gra-mag, the seat pivot bolts can loosen and possibly fracture or dislodge, causing the seat back to fail to provide full support to the driver's back.
Consequence: A possible vehicle crash could occur should the seat fall backwards during use.
Remedy: Dealers will repair these vehicles. The recall began on April 20, 2005. Owners may contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

May 4, 2004NHTSA 04V20500014,000 vehicles potentially affected

Power train › Manual transmission

Summary: On certain trucks equipped with manual transmission, the tapered joint that attaches the shifter to the transmission may become loose making it difficult to put the transmission into gear.
Consequence: If shift lever detachment occurs, tha ability ro accelerate ot maintain speed will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will re-secure the shift lever to the transmission using threadlock and re-torquing the fastening bolt. Owner notification began on may 21, 2004. Owners should contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

December 4, 2003NHTSA 03V500000400 vehicles potentially affected

Service brakes, air

Summary: On certain trucks equipped with air brakes, the plastic push-to-connect air line fitting cartridge could be improperly welded into the nylon junction block housing allowing an air line to become disconnected.
Consequence: This could lead to reduced brake control, loss of service brake control, or the emergency brakes automatically applying, possibly resulting in a crash without prior warning.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new cab air manifold. Owner notification is expected to begin on January 21, 2004. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact freightliner at 800-547-0712.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

Owners have filed 10 complaints about the 2003 Freightliner Columbia with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public; NHTSA uses them to decide what to investigate.

Crashes reported: 0
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 3
Deaths reported: 0

Most complained-about components

Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system3
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control2
Engine and engine cooling › Engine1
Exterior lighting › Fog lights1
Exterior lighting › Headlights1

Other Freightliner Columbia years

Other 2003 Freightliner models

Most recalled 2003 vehicles

2003 Honda Accord (24 recalls)
2003 Honda Civic (24 recalls)
2003 Honda Odyssey (15 recalls)
2003 Subaru Outback (15 recalls)
2003 Subaru Legacy (15 recalls)

All of 2003’s most recalled vehicles

Questions

Does the 2003 Freightliner Columbia have any recalls?: 5 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: equipment, service brakes, air, seats, power train. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.
How do I check if my 2003 Freightliner Columbia recall has been fixed?: Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Freightliner dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2003 Freightliner Columbia?: 10 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.