2006 Freightliner Century Class problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 2 complaints on file for the 2006 Freightliner Century Class — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Century Class years?

Century Class NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Century Class years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Freightliner Century Class problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Steering	1	50%	new
Transmission	1	50%	new

Does the 2006 Freightliner Century Class have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V214000LightingApril 14, 2020 · 63,175 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

The vehicle's rearward visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. DTNA's number for this recall is FL848.

17V810000OtherDecember 15, 2017 · 24,860 units

Defect

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

Consequence

In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

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. 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.

09V366000EngineSeptember 23, 2009 · 25,362 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

AN OIL LEAK MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.

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 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.

08V113000Fuel SystemMarch 11, 2008 · 62,000 units

Defect

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 62,000 MY 2005-2007 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS, CENTURY CLASS, COLUMBIA, CORONADO, FLD, CLASSIC, STERLING A-LINE, L-LINE, AND WESTERN STAR 4900 TRUCKS. A FRACTURED FUEL LINE COULD LEAK DIESEL FUEL.

Consequence

IF A LEAK CONTINUES UNDETECTED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, FUEL MAY IGNITE AT A HOT ENGINE SURFACE AND/OR FUEL MAY BE SPILLED ON THE ROAD SURFACE.

Remedy

HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINES AND TRANSFER TUBES WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED FREE OF CHARGED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 9, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.

06V190000Electrical SystemJune 5, 2006 · 61,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE PROTECTIVE COVER FOR THE CAB POWER DISTRIBUTION MODEL (PDM) MAY BE MISSING OR IMPROPERLY INSTALLED.

Consequence

IF THE PROTECTIVE COVER IS MISSING OR NOT POSITIONED CORRECTLY, ANY WATER INTRUSION FROM AN OPEN WINDOW OR WINDSHIELD LEAK MAY SEEP THROUGH THE UPPER DASH COVER SEAM AND DRIP ONTO THE PDM. WATER ON THE PDM CIRCUITS MAY CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT RESULTING IN A FIRE THAT COULD CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“NORMAL DRIVING EXPERIENCE TRAVELING ON A DIVIDED HIGHWAY W/ TRAFFIC LIGHTS, GOING APPROX 25-30 MPH, THEN THE TRUCK WOULD NOT UP OR DOWN SHIFT, AND BEGAN UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION, 30 MPH OR SO, GOT THE TRUCK OFF TO THE SIDE OF ROAD AND SHUT IT DOWN. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. *TR”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 21, 2010

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FREIGHTLINER CENTURY CLASS. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION SEPARATED. THE ENGINE SIZE AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 7, 2007

2006 Freightliner Century Class — common questions

Is the 2006 Freightliner Century Class reliable?

The record is thin — 2 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2006 Freightliner Century Class have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Freightliner Century Class. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2006 Freightliner Century Class under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 2006 compare to other Century Class years?

What are the most common 2006 Freightliner Century Class problems?

Does the 2006 Freightliner Century Class have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2006 Freightliner Century Class — common questions

Is the 2006 Freightliner Century Class reliable?

Does the 2006 Freightliner Century Class have recalls?

Is the 2006 Freightliner Century Class under NHTSA investigation?

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