- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- If this occurs, the vehicle could suffer a loss of steering ability, which could result in a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2004 Freightliner Century Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 2004 Freightliner Century with NHTSA, most often about the engine & cooling (1). It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in September 2005 for the linkages. For comparison, the 2003 has 4 and the 2005 has 2.
NHTSA data checked
BFewer problems than a typical Century year, for its age
#364 most complained-about 2004 vehicle
- Complaints
- 2
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2004 Freightliner Century problems
Share of all 2 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2004 Freightliner Century recalls 3
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
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the suspect male shaft yokes. The recall began on april 4, 2005. Owners should contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- If shift lever detachment occurs, tha ability ro accelerate ot maintain speed will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
What owners say
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2 complaints about the 2004 Freightliner Century
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Fumes coming into cab, making me sick, headache, burning eyes, disoriented. Tired, fatigue, last eight days this started. *Jb
My name is [[redacted]]and I am a driver for arnold transportation. On 12/21/2005, at approx. 1500 Hrs, I attempted to quit arnolds trucking because the company constantly put me in positions whereas I have to run illegally to make some of my deliveries on time. When I compliant about it, I am harassed, required to have my log book inspected and beeped during my 10 hour break. I was also told to log loading time as off duty so that it doesn't affect my 7 day hos. When I refused to run outside of dot regulations...
Read the full complaint
and tried to quit, I was told that I had two options and those options were "work or be terminated", I was never told what I would be terminated for, nor did I ask. When I tried to quit, I was in camp hill, pa, 700 miles from home. They offer me a bus ticket and I told them I had to much equipment in the truck and it could not be secured on a bus. I ask that I be routed home and I was willing to pick up a load that was going to atlanta. I don't know what to do, but I am being forced to work or be terminated and they know I will not risk being terminated because it would make it difficult to get another job. They won't even allow me to go thru atlanta to check my mail. They did say they would allow me some home time at the end of the month, but I want out now. In some cases I have run as much as 98 hours in 7 days, I log in my log book, but they just continue to run me and I don't want to do it any longer and as I said earlier, I really don't know what to do. *Jb information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6). *Tr
Freightliner Century: every year compared
All Century years2004 Freightliner Century vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 Freightliner Century | 2 | 3 | B | |
| 2004 Freightliner Columbia | 13 | 10 | F | Compare |
| 2004 Freightliner Business Class M2 | 8 | 10 | C | Compare |
| 2004 Freightliner Acterra | 1 | 0 | - | Compare |
| 2004 Freightliner Century Class | 1 | 2 | D | Compare |
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.
Questions about the 2004 Freightliner Century
Does the 2004 Freightliner Century have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2004 Freightliner Century: linkages (September 2005); driveline (December 2004); manual transmission (May 2004). 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 2004 Freightliner Century?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the engine & cooling (1).
How many complaints has the 2004 Freightliner Century had?
2 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on December 23, 2005 and the latest on September 17, 2006. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2004 Freightliner Century a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 73 out of 100 (grade B: fewer 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?
2000 (15), 1998 (9), 1999 (6). See every Freightliner Century year compared.
What should I do if my 2004 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