VehicleVerdict

2000 Freightliner Century problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 19 complaints on file for the 2000 Freightliner Century — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 6 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

19

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

2

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other Century years?

Century NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted21 complaints1995: 0 complaints1996: 0 complaints1997: 5 complaints1998: 21 complaints1999: 10 complaints2000: 19 complaints2001: 4 complaints2002: 0 complaints2003: 4 complaints2004: 2 complaints2005: 2 complaints2006: 8 complaints2007: 0 complaints2008: 1 complaints2009: 0 complaints2010: 0 complaints2011: 0 complaints2012: 0 complaints2013: 0 complaints
Century NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Century years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Freightliner Century problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension842%
Body & Structure316%
Engine316%
Tires & Wheels211%
Visibility & Wipers15%
Seats15%
Steering15%

Does the 2000 Freightliner Century have recalls?

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

03V112000SuspensionMarch 21, 2003 · 5,716 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

SEIZURE OF THE BEARINGS CAN CAUSE WHEEL SEPARATION OR WHEEL END FIRE.

Remedy

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.

01V140007SteeringSeptember 17, 2001 · 75,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

01V189001BrakesJune 14, 2001 · 4,400 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

00V232002BrakesAugust 7, 2000 · 35,405 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS ECU.

00V131004TransmissionMay 30, 2000 · 1,700 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF AN INAPPROPRIATE GEAR IS SELECTED WITHOUT THE DRIVER'S KNOWLEDGE, THE VEHICLE WILL REACT DIFFERENTLY THAN EXPECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURY OR CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOSHIFT TRANSMISSIONS.

00V081000SuspensionMarch 17, 2000 · 13,545 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF UNDETECTED, THE REAR END OF THE SPRING COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSING A HAZARDOUS ROAD DEBRIS SITUATION.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · June 5, 2009

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · October 12, 2004

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 16, 2008

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · April 10, 2000

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · September 24, 2004

2000 Freightliner Century — common questions

Is the 2000 Freightliner Century reliable?

The record is thin — 19 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 6 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2000 Century problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (8 complaints), body & structure (3 complaints), engine (3 complaints).

Does the 2000 Freightliner Century have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Freightliner Century. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2000 Freightliner Century under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Related

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.