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Vehicle safety record

2000 Freightliner Century Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 15 complaints about the 2000 Freightliner Century with NHTSA, most often about the suspension (8) and the body, doors & structure (2). Those complaints describe 2 injuries. It is covered by 6 recalls, the latest in March 2003 for the hub. For comparison, the 1999 has 6 and the 2001 has 4.

NHTSA data checked

DMore problems than a typical Century year, for its age

#173 most complained-about 2000 vehicle

Complaints
15
Recalls
6
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
2
Deaths
0

Most common 2000 Freightliner Century problems

Share of all 15 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

2000 Freightliner Century recalls 6

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Suspension: hub

03V1120005,716 vehicles affected

The problem
On certain trucks equipped with truck hub units manufactured by skf exclusively for use on arvinmeritor's ff98x series non-drive steer axles, the hub unit bearings can wear prematurely.
The risk
Seizure of the bearings can cause wheel separation or wheel end fire.
The fix
Dealers will replace both front hubs. Owner notification is expected to begin on or before september 20, 2003. 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 1-800-547-0712.

Steering: tie rod assembly

01V14000775,000 vehicles affected

The problem
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with trw tie rod ends on certain meritor axles. The tie rod and drag link ball stud ends contain bearings that are below the specified case depth and/or hardness.
The risk
This can lead to premature wear with possible separation of the ball stud from the socket, increasing the risk of loss of control of the vehicle.
The fix
Dealers will remove and replace all affected tie rods and drag links with different designed ends. Owner notification began november 8, 2001. 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 1-800-547-0712.

Service brakes: controls, pedals and linkages

01V1890014,400 vehicles affected

The problem
Vehicle description: vehicles equipped with certain haldex brake system two and four port relay valves. The valve may stick open when a high-pressure application is released.
The risk
When the valve sticks open, it can result in a total loss of air from either the service or the park brake system. The driver may lose braking ability under a service application, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix
Dealers will replace these valves. Owner notification began october 17, 2001. 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 1-800-547-0712.

Service brakes: antilock

00V23200235,405 vehicles affected

The problem
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks and school bus chassis built with bendix air abs with an ec-17 1030r electronic control unit (ecu), there have been reports of unwanted abs activation at low speeds caused by 1) chafed abs wheel speed sensor wires on rotating parts or 2) a damaged component at the wheel end that generates a certain type of erratic sensor signal.
The risk
This condition could cause the abs ecu to exhaust the air at the air brake modulators for one or more of the wheels. This could result in extended braking distances and a possible crash.
The fix
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS ECU.

Power train: automatic transmission

00V1310041,700 vehicles affected

The problem
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with eaton autoshift gen ii transmission assemblies. Due to a software problem in the transmission assemblies, the transmission will select the wrong gear.
The risk
If an inappropriate gear is selected without the driver's knowledge, the vehicle will react differently than expected, possibly resulting in injury or crash.
The fix
Dealers will replace the autoshift transmissions.

Suspension: air suspension system

00V08100013,545 vehicles affected

The problem
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks built with dual leaf spring type air ride suspensions and vehicles built with single leaf spring type air ride suspensions. Rear suspension springs can fracture through the center bolt hole after vehicle assembly.
The risk
If undetected, the rear end of the spring could separate from the vehicle causing a hazardous road debris situation.
The fix
For vehicles equipped with single leaf springs, dealers will remove and replace all springs. For vehicles equipped with dual leaf springs, dealers will inspect for cracked springs and replace if cracked.

What owners say

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15 complaints about the 2000 Freightliner Century

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Suspension

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 freightliner century truck. While driving approximately 55 mph, the driver felt a rumble and thump coming from the vehicle. He attempted to pull the vehicle over, but the wheel bearings became loose. As a result, the wheel was hanging on the steering spindle, the brakes were hanging in pieces, and the air line failed. In addition, the plastic access panel failed. There were no injuries. Roadside assistance was called and it was discovered that the entire wheel assembly was...

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defective. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer and repaired at the contact's expense. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign id number 03v112000. The current mileage was approximately 910,000 and failure mileage was approximately 900,000. Updated 07/14/09.*Lj the consumer was informed he missed the recall by 4 weeks and a couple of days. The consumer stated he has the same hub unit that was recalled and is requesting reimbursement. Updated 07/16/09.*Jb

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 10275837
Engine & cooling

Came across this site by word of mouth. Noticed that I've got soot residue in my vents. I've been having a flu like system that my dr couldn't diagnosis and claimed it might be allergies. My blood pressure has been going up and we've been adjusting the meds more frequently since I've been in this truck. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10224765
Engine & cooling1 injury

Don't smoke, coughing, waking up with headaches, pastout while in truck ,vomiting, tired all the time, what's going on here. I am in my 30's, this isn't right. I also have a family to take care of, will this cause me problems in the future (health wise). *Nm

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10179259
Body, doors & structure

When it rains water comes in on the passenger's side. The water comes in through the drip pan, per a glass company. Dealer stated it was not covered under a warranty.*Ak

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 10106956
SteeringSuspension

Tractor failure, tie rod and king pins and bearings were all in poor condition. *Bf *jb

Filed Incident Steering · SuspensionNHTSA 10099495
Seats & seat belts

The driver side seat was altered by the manufacturer who disabled the full recline. As a result there was a greater chance of whiplash, spinal injury or driver ejection from the vehicle. The consumer has concerns about executive orders dealing with ergonomic workplace safety. Please provide additional information. *Jb

Filed Incident SeatsNHTSA 10096825
Visibility & wipers

The intake for the heater/ac,is under the hood and is suppose to be sealed from the rest of the engine by a rubber gasket wich fits poorly and there are drain tubes that allow foul air from undder the hood (crankcase blowby,external oil leak burnoff) to be sucked into the cab,i have it happen almost every day with this truck sometimes the smoke is actualy visable in the cab,there is no evidence of exhaust leaking so it has to be blow by or fuel puddling in turbo at idle and being pushed out turbo seal and burrning...

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off then by poor location of hvac intake gets sucked into pass. Compartment. This is not my truck I am just the driver and I have brought this to freightliners att. And I might as well talk to a wall they said some of the trucks do that but we don't know why

Filed VisibilityNHTSA 755876
Suspension

The left front spring hanger is loose, causing the axle to shift. *Slc

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 558099
Suspension

Front spring hanger is loose on the frame, this is causing the axle to shift. *Slc

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 557386
Suspension

Front spring hanger is loose, this is causing the axle to shift. *Slc

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 557382
Suspension

Left front spring hanger is loose, bottom bolts turn by hand. Nlm

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 557103
Suspension

LEFT FRONT SPRING HANGER IS LOOSE. NLM

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 557101
Suspension

Axle #1, left side front spring hanger is loose on frame causing axle to shift back and forth. Nlm

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 557091
Body, doors & structure1 injury

There are no grab rails to use when exiting drivers side of cab, this has resulted in several injuries, rails are only located on passenger side. Nlm

Filed StructureNHTSA 550932
Wheels & tires

Took vehicle to dealer they urged consumer to take vehicle to tire company. Took it there, and they told consumer to take vehicle back to the dealer. Also, consumer indicated that tires did not fit the hubs. This caused a rough ride. Consumer had to have both hubs replaced. *Ak *ml

Filed Incident WheelsNHTSA 859999

Freightliner Century: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20042300Engine & coolingB
20034201Wheels & tiresB
20020100-A
20014400SuspensionC
200015600SuspensionD
19996701Electrical systemD
19989500Engine & coolingC
19974400Engine & coolingC
19960700-C
All Century years

2000 Freightliner Century vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 2000 Freightliner Century

Does the 2000 Freightliner Century have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2000 Freightliner Century: hub (March 2003); tie rod assembly (September 2001); controls, pedals and linkages (June 2001); antilock (August 2000) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 2000 Freightliner Century?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the suspension (8), body, doors & structure (2), engine & cooling (2).

How many complaints has the 2000 Freightliner Century had?

15 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on April 10, 2000 and the latest on July 6, 2009. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 2 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 2000 Freightliner Century a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 30 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Freightliner Century year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Freightliner Century years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 2000 Freightliner Century has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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