2008 Freightliner Columbia
Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 10 |
| 2004 | 13 |
| 2005 | 38 |
| 2006 | 14 |
| 2007 | 11 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 0 |
| 2012 | 0 |
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Only 1 complaint on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
1 of 1 total report mentions: engine and engine cooling.
Show complaint excerpts
2008 CAT C15 ACERT ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. WE HAVE 3 OF THESE UNITS IN CLASS 8 TRUCKS ALL HAVE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE EXHAUST TREATMENT SYSTEM ALL HAVE BEEN IN FOR REPAIR MANY TIMES.
NHTSA ODI report, 20100809
SAFETY TIMELINE
INSECURE FIFTH WHEEL LATCHING
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, A MANUFACTURING ERROR IN THE FUEL-WATER SEPARATOR PREHEATER THERMOSWITCH MAY PREVENT THE FUEL PREHEATER FROM TURNING OFF IF THE IGNITION IS LEFT ON. IF THE IGNITION SWITCH IS LEF
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL FILTER DATE CODE AND THERMOSWITCH LOT CODE TO DETERMINE IF THEY CONTAIN THE SUSPECT COMPONENT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 4, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT F
Campaign 07V335000 — check if this car was fixed
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS BUILT WITH A TRW GLOBAL ADJUSTABLE UPPER STEERING COLUMN, TWO UPPER TILT PLATE BOLTS MAY LOOSEN WITH USE AND FALL OUT. THESE FASTENERS HOLD THE UPPER COLUMN ASSEMBLY IN PLACE. THE
Remedy: THE TILT PLATE BOLTS WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 23, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
Campaign 07V357000 — check if this car was fixed
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TUFTRAC REAR SUSPENSIONS, THE CENTER CASTING BRACKETS MAY BE OUT OF SPECIFICATION. AN OUT OF SQUARE CASTING MAY HAVE UNACCEPTABLE STRESS IN THE BRACKET WHEN IT IS INS
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND CASTINGS THAT ARE OUT OF SPECIFICATION WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 12, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
Campaign 07V316000 — check if this car was fixed
FREIGHTLINER IS RECALLING CERTAIN SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS, HEAVY TRUCKS, VAN CHASSIS, RV MOTORHOME CHASSIS MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 5 TO MAY 17, 2007, EQUIPPED WITH AXLE ALLIANCE COMPANY (AAC) FRONT AXLES
Remedy: THOMAS BUILT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, INSPECT THE FASTENERS, AND REPLACE THE STEERING ARM IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 21, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
Campaign 07V306000 — check if this car was fixed
ON CERTAIN TRUCK-TRACTORS EQUIPPED WITH HOLLAND SIMPLEX SE OR SE II FIFTH WHEELS, THE LATCH LEVER PIVOT BOLT ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN OVER-TIGHTENED WHICH COULD DISTORT THE PIVOT BOLT SPACER SLEEVE. CO
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PIVOT BOLT AND SLEEVE WITH A HEX HEAD SHOULDER BOLT AND WASHER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 3, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
Campaign 07V530000 — check if this car was fixed
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
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 OWN
Campaign 07V302000 — check if this car was fixed
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRW STEERING GEARS, MODELS TAS85 AND RCS85, THESE STEERING GEARS CONTAIN POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE SECTOR SHAFTS WITH AN INCORRECT GEAR TOOTH WHICH MAY INTERFERE WITH THE
Remedy: FREIGHTLINER IS WORKING WITH TRW TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING GEAR (PLEASE SEE 07E101). THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
Campaign 07V592000 — check if this car was fixed
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH RACK AND PINION STEERING, THE TIE ROD ARMS MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY INSTALLED. THE THREADED END OF THE BALL SOCKET ASSEMBLY MAY FRACTURE AND SEPARATE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR INSTALLATION OF THE STEERING ARMS. STEERING COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACED ON TRUCKS THAT HAVE INCORRECTLY INSTALLED TIE ROD ARMS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 1, 2008. OWNER MAY
Campaign 07V400000 — check if this car was fixed
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE WIPER MOTOR GROUND WIRE WAS OMITTED IN A NEW HARNESS DESIGN. THE WIPER MOTOR MAY NOT OPERATE OR MAY FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A GROUND WIRE TO THE WIPER MOTOR HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 13, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
Campaign 07V532000 — check if this car was fixed
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, INCORRECT FASTENERS MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE CLAMPING FORCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE CALIPER AND BRAKE ANCHOR PLATE POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKE EFFECTIVE
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES TO DETERMINE IF INCORRECT BOLTS WERE USED. IF INCORRECT BOLTS ARE FOUND, VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED FOR POSSIBLE ADDITIONAL DAMAGE AND REPAIRED AS REQUIRED. THE REC
Campaign 08V029000 — check if this car was fixed
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH RACK AND PINION STEERING, THE BALL SOCKET ASSEMBLY AT THE INNER END OF THE DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD MAY BE DAMAGED IN A SHARP TURN. EXCESSIVE TIE ROD ANGLES MAY LOOSEN THE
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHANGE THE FRONT AXLE STEERING STOPS TO PREVENT INTERFERENCE IN THE TIE ROD BALL SOCKET ASSEMBLY AND STEERING COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 8, 2008
Campaign 07V403000 — check if this car was fixed
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 900 MY 2008 FREIGHTLINER ARGOSY, ARGOSY RHD, CASCADIA, COLUMBIA, CENTURY ST, CORONADO, STERLING ACTERRA, L-LINE AND WESTERN STAR 4900 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX MV-3 DASH
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MV-3 DASH VALVE FOR THE PRODUCTION DATE CODE. VALVES IN THE AFFECTED PRODUCTION LOTS WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 9, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT
Campaign 08V159000 — check if this car was fixed
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 2 MY 2008-2009 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA AND STERLING L-LINE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR C7, C9, C13 AND C15 DIESEL ENGINES. INADEQUATE STIFFNESS OF THE DIESEL PARTICULAT
Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS IS WORKING WITH CATERPILLAR (PLEASE SEE 08E041). OWNERS MAY CONTACT CATERPILLAR AT-1-800-447-4986 OR DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.
Campaign 09V086000 — check if this car was fixed
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
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
Campaign 09V366000 — check if this car was fixed
RACK AND PINION FAILURE
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 FREIGHTLINER, STERLING AND WESTERN STAR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DETROIT DIESEL DD15 EPA07 ENGINES WHICH WERE MANUFACTURED WITH GRID HEATERS. INCREASED
Remedy: THE ENGINE CONTROL LOGIC WILL BE REPROGRAMMED FREE OF CHARGE BY DETROIT DIESEL AUTHORIZED REPAIR FACILITIES AND DIRECT WARRANTY CUSTOMERS TO PROVIDE COLD WEATHER STARTING WITHOUT THE NEED OF A GRID HE
Campaign 09V400000 — check if this car was fixed
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 29, 2005 THROUGH JULY 3, 2009. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITION, THE LEFT HAND INNER TIE ROD END MA
Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE VEHICLES WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-547-0712.
Campaign 09V357000 — check if this car was fixed
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2010 HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 17, 2006 AND MARCH 31, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH EPA07 MODEL MBE4000 ENGINES BUILT WITH PLASTIC LOW
Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED BY DETROIT DIESEL CORPORATION AUTHORIZED REPAIR FACILITIES AND DIRECT WARRANTY CUSTOMERS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 7, 2010. O
Campaign 09V391000 — check if this car was fixed
DAIMLER TRUCKS HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA, FLD, STERLING 9500 AND WESTERN STAR 4900 EMERGENCY VEHICLES. THE ENGINE MAY SHUT DOWN UNEX
Remedy: THE ENGINE CONTROL LOGIC WILL BE REPROGRAMMED TO ILLUMINATE A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT WITHOUT REQUESTING ENGINE SHUTDOWN. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY DETROIT DIESEL. PLEASE SEE DAIMLER TRUCKS D
Campaign 10V112000 — check if this car was fixed
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA, CASCADIA, CORONADO, CENTURY, M2, STERLING 9500, AND WESTERN STAR 4900 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DD 13 AND DD15/DD1
Remedy: THE LOW PRESSURE FUEL FLANGE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A MORE ROBUST COMPONENT. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER
Campaign 10V189000 — check if this car was fixed
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2011 FREIGHTLINER, FCCC, STERLING, AND WESTERN STAR HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2006, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH S
Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY DETROIT DIESEL CORPORATION AUTHORIZED REPAIR FACILITIES. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTE
Campaign 10V341000 — check if this car was fixed
DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2011 FREIGHTLINER, CASCADIA, CENTURY, COLUMBIA FLD, AND M2, STERLING 9500, AND WESTERN STAR 4900 HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH
Remedy: DTNA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE RECALL DURING MARCH 2011. ANOTHER NOTIFICATION WILL BE ISSUED ONCE THE REMEDY IS RELEASED. DTNA EXPECTS THE REMEDY TO BE AVAILABLE BY DECEMBER 1, 2011. REPAIRS WILL B
Campaign 11V146000 — check if this car was fixed
DTNA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2012 FREIGHTLINER; CASCADIA, CENTURY CLASS, COLUMBIA, AND CORONADO, CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 STERLING; A-LINE AND L-LINE AND CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2012
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW BOLT AND ISOLATOR AND REPAIR THE RECREATIONAL VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 21, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DTNA AT 1-800-547-0712.
Campaign 11V330000 — check if this car was fixed
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
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 B
Campaign 11V478000 — check if this car was fixed
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2012 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2, CASCADIA, CENTURY, COLUMBIA, CORONADO AND STERLING A-LINE VEHICLES BUILT WITH MERITOR WABCO ELECTRONIC STABILIT
Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ESC MODULE WITH THE APPROPRIATE SOFTWARE VERSION AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE MAILED ON OR ABOUT
Campaign 11V465000 — check if this car was fixed
DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2013 FREIGHTLINER, STERLING, AND WESTERN STAR VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH DETROIT DIESEL EPA07 AND EPA10, DD13 AND DD15/16 ENGINES, MANUFACTURED
Remedy: DTNA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND WHERE NECESSARY, THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE SUPPORT SYSTEM WILL BE REPLACED BY DTNA AUTHORIZED SERVICE FACILITIES, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2
Campaign 12V074000 — check if this car was fixed
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA, COLUMBIA, CENTURY, CORONADO, AND CLASSIC XL TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 1, 2004, THROUGH JUNE 15, 2010 FOR THE RAC
Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL INSPECT THE LOWER BEARING FOR CORROSION. IF CORROSION IS FOUND, THE RACK AND PINION SYSTEM WILL BE REPLACED. IF NO CORROSION IS FOUND, ON THE BEARING, THE BEARING WILL BE PACKED
Campaign 11V514000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 17V810000 — check if this car was fixed
Daimler Trucks North America Recalls
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2006-2020 Freightliner Columbia, 2006-2021 Freightliner Business Class M2, 2007-2020 Freightliner Coronado, 2014-2021 Freightliner 122 SD, 2007 Sterling A 9500, 2006 Freightliner Argosy,...
Remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and reposition the reflective tape to ensure that it is completely visible, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 29, 2020. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712.
Campaign 20V214000 — check if this car was fixed
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2004-2019 Freightliner 108SD, 114SD, 122SD, Cascadia, Columbia, Classic, FL80, FLD 120SD, Business Class M2, Western Star 4700, 4900, 6900, Sterling Acterra, L7500, LT7500, L8500, LT8500,...
Remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will add air reservoir capacity to the affected vehicles. Owner letters were mailed on November 29, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-815.
Campaign 19V370000 — check if this car was fixed
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR EPA07 C155 ENGINES, THE EXTENSION PIPES ATTACHED TO THE AFTERTREATMENT REGENERATION DEVICE MAY DEVELOP A CRACK OR HOLE AND HEAT OR FLAME MAY ESCAPE DURING A REGENERATION OF THE DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER.
Remedy: CATERPILLAR IS CONDUCTING THIS RECALL (PLEASE SEE 07E100). CATERPILLAR WILL REPAIR THE ENGINES FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CATERPILLAR AT 1-800-447-4986 OR FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
Campaign 07V598000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2008 Freightliner Columbia — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (1 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 07V598000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07V335000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07V357000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07V316000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07V306000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07V530000 (trailer hitches) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07V302000 (service brakes, air) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07V592000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07V400000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07V532000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 08V029000 (service brakes, air) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07V403000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 08V159000 (parking brake) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09V086000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09V366000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09V400000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09V357000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09V391000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10V112000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10V189000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10V341000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 11V146000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 11V330000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 11V478000 (fuel system, diesel) has been completed.
- Verify recall 11V465000 (electronic stability control (esc)) has been completed.
- Verify recall 12V074000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 11V514000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V810000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V214000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V370000 (service brakes, air) has been completed.
FAQ
Is the 2008 Freightliner Columbia reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Freightliner Columbia?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling:exhaust system, accounting for 100% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 Freightliner Columbia have?
30 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.