VehicleVerdict

2001 Freightliner Century problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 4 complaints on file for the 2001 Freightliner Century — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

4

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

2

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Century years?

Century NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 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, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Century years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Freightliner Century problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension250%
Engine125%
Tires & Wheels125%

Does the 2001 Freightliner Century have recalls?

4 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.

02V087000Electrical SystemMarch 20, 2002 · 30,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, A CAPACITOR IN THE POWER LINE CONTROL (PLC) FILTER COULD OVERHEAT AND/OR IGNITE WHEN SUBJECTED TO REVERSE POLARITY ELECTRICAL SPIKES.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE AREA OF THE PLC FILTER WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL DISCONNECT AND SECURE THE PLC FILTER GROUND WIRE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 20, 2002. 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.

02V018002BrakesJanuary 22, 2002 · 5,176 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR WABCO PNEUMATIC ANITLOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) VALVE PACKAGES, THE ASSEMBLY BOLTS ON THESE VALVE PACKAGES WERE NOT TIGHTENED CORRECTLY.

Consequence

BOLTS TORQUED BELOW SPECIFICATION WILL NOT RELIABLY PREVENT AIR LEAKAGE AT THE AFFECTED ABS VALVE PACKAGE INTERFACE JOINTS ONCE THE COMPONENT BEGINS NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION. IF AIR LEAKS DEVELOP AT ANY OF THE ABS VALVE PACKAGE INTERFACE JOINTS, BRAKE SYSTEM PRESSURE REDUCTIONS COULD OCCUR DURING BRAKING OR NORMAL OPERATION WITH UNITS EQUIPPED WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL OPTION, POTENTIALLY EXTENDING STOPPING DISTANCES, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE FASTENERS TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 4, 2002. 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“GOT IN THIS CENTURY , FREIGHTLINER APRIL OF 2006, BEEN EXPERIENCING HEADACHES,BURNING EYES, TIRED ALL THE TIME. CAN SMELL FUMES COMING IN THROUGH AIR VENTS. WAKE UP WITH HEADACHES, A DRIVER USED A CO READER TODAY IN MY CAB WAS GETTING ILL. IT SEEMS THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A WHILE, AN THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 12, 2006

“BOUGHT 2 R287 BRIDGESTONE TIRES ON MAY 11,2006 295/75 22.5 HAVE PUT ABOUT 60,000 MILES ON THE STEER TIRES. THE RIGHT FRONT HAS STRIPS OF RUBBER COMING OFF OF IT. SOUTHERN TIRE MART IN LONGVIEW, TX INSIST I PAY FULL PRICE FOR ONE R280 WHICH IS VERY UNSAFE AND WILL NOT PRORATE OR ADJUST EITHER TIRE.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · October 16, 2006

2001 Freightliner Century — common questions

Is the 2001 Freightliner Century reliable?

The record is thin — 4 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2001 Freightliner Century have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Freightliner Century. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 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.