- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- AN OIL LEAK MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
- The fix
- 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.
Engine & cooling
2004 Freightliner Columbia Engine problems
Owners have filed 9 complaints about the 2004 Freightliner Columbia's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 69% of all its complaints, most recently on October 7, 2008. They describe 1 crash, 1 fire and 6 injuries. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.
- Complaints
- 9
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 6
- Deaths
- 2
Engine recalls for the 2004 Freightliner Columbia
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- The oil line may be cut on the cylinder head causing an oil leak and a possible fire.
- The fix
- 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.
Engine complaints
Personal friend/truck driver was driving 2004 freightliner columbia with mercedes engine on interstate highway. Other motorist saw him driving erratically, and called police. Dash camera records him weaving in the road and finally veering into oncoming lane, crashing into concrete barrier. Impact with the wall causes fuel tank to separate from cab, causing small fire which did not burn driver or cab. Driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Autopsy revealed significantly high level of co in blood (61-65 %),...
Read the full complaint
but no heart attack or stroke or any other natural cause. Death is ruled accidental. Fortunately, there were no other serious injuries, but many others could have been killed. There is apparently a problem with the exhaust system on this vehicle, and others will die unless this problem is corrected. *Tr
I have a freightliner columbia with a mbe 4000 mercedes engine. This is the second time I had to put the truck in a shop for an exhaust leak. This time the exhaust manifold was leaking fumes into the cab and made me sick with carbon monoxide. Took truck to penn detroit diesel in york haven,pa. They found that the exhaust manifold was off on port #1 and #2 by 1/16 inch there by allowing exhaust fumes to escape and enter the cab through the fresh air vent that is under the hood of the truck. They checked for...
Read the full complaint
exhaust leaks after the work was done and said it was fixed. I then hooked up to my trailer and did my walk around and smelled a strong odor of exhaust coming from the front of the truck. I when back in and reported this and they said that it was the oil burning off the manifold. I am still getting co in the truck. Will this end when I die or kill someone else??Any help on this matter would be grateful!!!! *Nm
Have freightliner columbia with an mbe 4000 mercedes. Had flex pipe that was cracked letting in co fumes. Had this replaced but am still getting low levels of carbon monoxide in truck. It seams to be coming in through the air conditioning and heater vents. Jfb. *Nm
Having health issues, headaches, blurred vision, infection in eye, fatigue, hard breathing, chest pains, did test for carbon monoxide levels of 31,j ust sitting, no other vehicles around while testing. Been ill for a long time. Can taste the fumes coming in. These fumes coming through the air condition vents. Mercedes engine. *Jb
Suspect carbon monoxide entering through vents making me ill having headaches ,eye infections and chest pains shortness of breath, fatigue blurred vision. Checked levels of carbon monoxide up to 31, coming through air vents. *Jb
Carbon monoxide leakage into cab from heater/air conditioning system on freightliner columbia trucks with detroit egr (epa compliant) engines about 2003 and newer. Carbon monoxide resulted in elevated blood pressure, nausea, flu like symptoms, headaches, tiredness, etc.. Truck has been worked on 5 times for this problem, numerous parts have been replaced. Has not corrected the problem, or only for a short while. Problem exists in several areas and is not readily apparent when doing in shop testing, repair and replacement. Some problems are related to freightliner and some to detroit diesel. Have been advised is not uncommon. *Jb
Our company has a fleet of 2004 freightliners columbia cabs semi-tractors, while I was in our repair shop this last weekend, they had a truck isolated, because a driver had died in it. Cod has not been determined at this point. We have had several rollover accidents in these trucks, and I have talked to numerous drivers about exhaust leaks. Our company is now in the process of installing carbon monocide detectors in these new trucks. My concern is, how many unexplainable accidents are we goning to have before these...
Read the full complaint
problems are resolved. I do not know if freightliner is moving fast enough to prevent future deaths and endangerment to the general public. I hope the nhtsa is already aware of this problem and working with them to resolve or remove these vehicles from operations, until the unsafe conditions are corrected.*Ak
Consumer complained of exhaust fumes entering cab on a regular basis which was causing illness.*Ak
Exhaust fumes coming in to the cab through the heater air condition vents. This seems to be a problem with all the freightliner colombia model trucks with the detroit diesel engine that walmart owns. One driver said that he put a co detector in his truck and it went off more than once. I put one in my truck, but it did not go off. We have had one driver run off the road. He said that he got so tired that he could hardly keep his eyes open. He was checked for heart attack and stroke and nothing was found. Nobody ever checked him for co. *Jb
Freightliner Columbia engine complaints by year
Columbia engine problems, every yearSource: 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