VehicleVerdict

2001 Freightliner Fs-65 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 14 complaints on file for the 2001 Freightliner Fs-65 — 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.

14

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Fs-65 years?

Fs-65 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted14 complaints1996: 0 complaints1997: 0 complaints1998: 2 complaints1999: 2 complaints2000: 12 complaints2001: 14 complaints2002: 5 complaints2005: 1 complaints2006: 0 complaints
Fs-65 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Fs-65 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Freightliner Fs-65 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System857%
Brakes321%
Electrical System214%
Body & Structure17%

Does the 2001 Freightliner Fs-65 have recalls?

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

05V205000Fuel SystemApril 27, 2005 · 16,000 units

Defect

CERTAIN 1998-2003 MY FREIGHTLINER FS-65 SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS AND MB-45, MB-55, AND XB SHUTTLE BUS CHASSIS, AND THOMAS BUILT BUS: MVP-ER AND MVP-EF SCHOOL BUS AND NON-SCHOOL BUS MODELS EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS ISB DIESEL ENGINES AND EQUIPPED WITH FEDERAL-MOGAL 12 AND 24 VOLT FUEL LIFT PUMPS. THE FUEL PUMP COULD FAIL TO TRANSFER FUEL APPROPRIATELY CREATING AN ENGINE STALL CONDITION.

Consequence

SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE, A POSSIBLE VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

CUMMINS WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS OF FREIGHTLINER AND THOMAS BUILT AND REPLACE THE FUEL LIFT PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-800-DIESELS.

04V343000BrakesJuly 12, 2004 · 3,200 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR ENGINES AND HYDRAULIC BRAKES. A BRAIDED GROUND STRAP FOR THE STARTER MAY RUB ON A STEEL CHASSIS BRAKE LINE POTENTIALLY CAUSING A FLUID LEAK.

Consequence

A BRAKE FLUID LEAK CAN REDUCE BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASE THE STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LINE AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY. THE BRAIDED GROUND STRAP WILL BE REPLACED WITH AN INSULATED CABLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 10, 2004. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

02V084000BrakesApril 2, 2002 · 16,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES, THE BRAKE HOSES FROM THE CHASSIS TO FRONT BRAKE CHAMBERS COULD DEVELOP LEAKS DUE TO THE HOSE ROUTING THAT COULD OVERSTRESS THE HOSE DURING SHARP TURNS.

Consequence

THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE REDUCED BRAKING CAPACITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR IMPROPER ROUTING. IF IMPROPER ROUTING IS FOUND, DEALERS WILL REPLACE AND CORRECT THE HOSE ROUTING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 29, 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.

01V215000Electrical SystemJune 26, 2001 · 8,753 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BUS CHASSIS VEHICLES. AN ELECTRICAL PASS-THROUGH CONNECTOR MAY NOT FIT IN THE FIREWALL MOUNTING HOLE CORRECTLY, RESULTING IN THE CONNECTOR DISLODGING AND AN ELECTRICAL TERMINAL CONTACTING THE FIREWALL.

Consequence

THIS CAN CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AND POTENTIAL FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT VEHICLES FOR PROPER MOUNTING OF THE ELECTRICAL PASS THROUGH AND CORRECT IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 9, 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.

“DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 FREIGHTLINER. CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GET RECALL REPAIR WORK ON FUEL SYSTEM DONE. HAD 20 OF THESE VEHICLES, 2000-2001 YEAR MODELS. COULD DO THE REPAIRS THEMSELVES, BUT THEY COULD NOT DO FAST ENOUGH FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE DONE BEFORE SCHOOL STARTED. THE DEALER WILL NOT LET…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 30, 2005

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AT 35 MPH, THE PEDAL WOULD NOT COMPLETELY DEPRESS. THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT AS IF IT WAS "ROCK-HARD". THE BRAKES DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THREE YEARS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT A RECALL NOTIFICATION LETTER REGARDING THE ROTORS WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 30, 2006

“STARTER GROUND STRAP RUBBED HOLE IN STEEL BRAKE LINE LOCATED NEAR THE STARTER. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE PRESSURE. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 17, 2002

“CONSUMER STATED THE ROOF LEAKS AND CAUSES UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE ROOF LEAKS WHEN IT RAINS. THE WATER DROPS INTO THE INTERIOR, ONTO THE DRIVERS CLOTHES, SEAT, STEERING WHEEL, AND VISION, MAKING IT WET AND IMPAIRED. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO SEEK HELP FROM THE DEALER/MANUFACTURER WITHOUT SUCCESS,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · February 28, 2000

2001 Freightliner Fs-65 — common questions

Is the 2001 Freightliner Fs-65 reliable?

The record is thin — 14 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2001 Fs-65 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (8 complaints), brakes (3 complaints), electrical system (2 complaints).

Does the 2001 Freightliner Fs-65 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Freightliner Fs-65. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 Freightliner Fs-65 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation 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.