- The problem
- 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, 2006-2007 Sterling AT9500, 2008-2021 Freightliner Cascadia, 2006-2008 Freightliner Classic, 2006-2011 Freightliner Century Class, 2006-2010 Freightliner FLD, and 2017 Western Star 5700 vehicles. The rear reflective tape may be partially covered by the mudflap hanger bracket, which may reduce the vehicle's visibility to other drivers on the road. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- The risk
- The vehicle's rearward visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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. DTNA's number for this recall is FL848.
Vehicle safety record
2012 Freightliner Columbia Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 2012 Freightliner Columbia have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 6 recalls, the latest in April 2020 for the exterior lighting.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical Columbia year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
2012 Freightliner Columbia 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
- The problem
- 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
- The risk
- In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2010-2017 Freightliner M2 Business Class, 108SD, 114SD, and Columbia trucks manufactured from January 6, 2010, through February 29, 2016, equipped with certain Bendix rear disk brakes and spring suspensions. The rear disk brake caliper may have been installed incorrectly, thus allowing the caliper to contact the suspension.
- The risk
- Caliper contact with the spring suspension may reduce the braking effectiveness, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will correct the orientation of the rear brake calipers, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 8, 2016. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's recall number for this campaign is FL-705.
- The problem
- 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 from january 20, 2006, through february 20, 2012. The pump to rail high pressure fuel line support system used on these engines is sensitive to assembly torque and may be damaged during service work. As a result of other repairs, the line supports may loosen, potentially leading to fuel line cracking and a fuel leak.
- The risk
- A fuel leak could create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. Also a fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.
- The fix
- 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, 2012. Owners may contact dtna at 1-800-547-0712.
- The problem
- 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 stability control (esc) system manufactured from september 15, 2005 through september 1, 2011. Under certain road and driving conditions, vehicle body roll and road inclination characteristics may adversely affect the slip angle calculation of the electronic stability control (esc) system. This might cause the esc to perceive an over steering situation and therefore apply the outer wheel brake on the front axle until the vehicle is perceived to be stable.
- The risk
- If the driver is slow to react during this esc intervention, the vehicle may deviate from the intended line of travel increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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 november 21, 2011. The date for availability of the final remedy is subject to validation testing and parts availability. The safety recall began on march 28, 2012. Owners may contact daimler trucks toll-free at 1-800-547-0712.
- The problem
- 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 western star constellation vehicles, manufactured from january 14, 2008, through june 15, 2011, built with detroit diesel 15 or 16 engines. The bolt attaching a rubber isolator to a support bracket may become loose and back out, potentially contacting an un-fused starter cable and creating a short circuit.
- The risk
- A short circuit between an un-fused battery cable and chassis ground could result in a vehicle fire.
- The fix
- 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.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 2012 Freightliner Columbia yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Freightliner Columbia: every year compared
All Columbia years2012 Freightliner Columbia vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Freightliner Columbia | 0 | 6 | C | |
| 2012 Freightliner Cascadia | 17 | 19 | C | Compare |
| 2012 Freightliner Business Class M2 | 4 | 12 | C | Compare |
| 2012 Freightliner M2 | 2 | 9 | D | Compare |
| 2012 Freightliner 114SD | 2 | 8 | C | Compare |
| 2012 Freightliner B2 Bus Chassis | 2 | 0 | - | 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 2012 Freightliner Columbia
Does the 2012 Freightliner Columbia have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2012 Freightliner Columbia: exterior lighting (April 2020); equipment (December 2017); caliper (April 2016); diesel (February 2012) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 2012 Freightliner Columbia had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 2012 Freightliner Columbia a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 43 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Freightliner Columbia 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 Columbia years have the most complaints?
2005 (38), 2006 (14), 2004 (13). See every Freightliner Columbia year compared.
What should I do if my 2012 Freightliner Columbia 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