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2004 Freightliner Columbia recalls

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

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

For the 2004 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.

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.

2004 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

September 16, 2011NHTSA 11V47800073,500 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel system, diesel

Summary
Daimler trucks is recalling certain model year 2004 through 2008 heavy trucks manufactured from July 11, 2003, through September 28, 2007, equipped with EPA04 model MBE4000 engines built with plastic low pressure fuel lines and fuel filters mounted near the center of the engine on the left-hand side. The plastic low pressure fuel line between engine mounted fuel filter and engine block may develop a substantial diesel fuel leak.
Consequence
This could create a road hazard increasing the risk of a crash. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Remedy
Daimler trucks will notify owners and the remedy will be performed by detroit diesel corporation authorized repair facilities. Vehicles will be inspected and the plastic low pressure fuel line will be replaced with a steel low pressure fuel line. This service will be performed free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on October 28, 2011. The safety recall began on February 21, 2012. Owners may contact daimler trucks at 1-800-547-0712.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

September 23, 2009NHTSA 09V36600025,362 vehicles potentially affected

Engine and engine cooling

Summary
Daimler trucks is recalling model year 2004-2010 trucks equipped with caterpillar C15 engine. The variable valve actuation oil line may rub against the p-clips retaining the oil line, causing an oil leak.
Consequence
An oil leak may result in a fire.
Remedy
Daimler trucks is working with caterpillar to remedy these vehicles. Please see caterpillar's defect report 09E-020. Caterpillar will inspect and repair the necessary components free of charge. The recall began on may 5, 2009. Owners may contact caterpillar toll-free at 1-800-447-4986 or daimler trucks at 1-800-547-0712.

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

February 8, 2006NHTSA 06V0300005,771 vehicles potentially affected

Engine and engine cooling

Summary
On 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 positioned correctly.
Consequence
The oil line may be cut on the cylinder head causing an oil leak and a possible fire.
Remedy
Caterpillar, in conjunction with freightliner, will be conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign free of charge. Owners may call caterpillar at 309-675-6496, or freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

September 13, 2005NHTSA 05V40800037,029 vehicles potentially affected

Steering › Linkages

Summary
On certain truck and motor home chassis equipped with i-shafts supplied by zf heavy duty steering, there is a potential for a failure of the fork/shaft connection.
Consequence
If this occurs, the vehicle could suffer a loss of steering ability, which could result in a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and attach a tension collar to the steering shaft to secure the connection to the yoke. The recall began on November 16, 2005. Owners may contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

June 14, 2005NHTSA 05V2850001,786 vehicles potentially affected

Wheels › Hub

Summary
On certain trucks equipped with 3rd generation conmet aluminum wheels, the drum mounting flange on the conmet truturn brake drum may have been manufactured with a taper from the pilot hole to the barrel of the drum.
Consequence
This taper may cause cracking or fractures of the front hub. This could cause a crash without prior warning.
Remedy
After further investigation and testing, freightliner has revised the population and the remedy (December 22, 2005). Therefore, the recall began on March 15, 2006. Owners may 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

December 15, 2004NHTSA 04V5900001,095 vehicles potentially affected

Power train › Driveline

Summary
On certain vehicles, there is a defect in the interaxle driveline yokes. The bolt holes located on the earwork of the male shaft yokes were manufactured with an oversized minor thread diameter.
Consequence
This condition allows the bolts used in the holes to become detached which could result in a driveline separation. Driveline separation could result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the suspect male shaft yokes. The recall began on April 4, 2005. Owners should 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

Owner complaints

Owners have filed 13 complaints about the 2004 Freightliner Columbia with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public; NHTSA uses them to decide what to investigate.

Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
6
Deaths reported
2

Most complained-about components

  1. Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system7
  2. Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe2
  3. Power train › Clutch assembly2
  4. Electrical system › Wiring1
  5. Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv)1

Other Freightliner Columbia years

Other 2004 Freightliner models

Most recalled 2004 vehicles

  1. 2004 Honda Accord (22 recalls)
  2. 2004 Ford E-250 (18 recalls)
  3. 2004 Blue Bird Vision (17 recalls)
  4. 2004 Ford F-150 (16 recalls)
  5. 2004 Chevrolet Silverado (15 recalls)
All of 2004’s most recalled vehicles

Questions

Does the 2004 Freightliner Columbia have any recalls?
10 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: equipment, fuel system, diesel, engine and engine cooling, service brakes, air, steering, wheels. 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 2004 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 2004 Freightliner Columbia?
13 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.