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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2002 Freightliner Columbia Recalls & Complaints

The 2002 Freightliner Columbia has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 2 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Freightliner dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2002 Freightliner Columbia. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2002 Freightliner Columbia owner complaints

Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Freightliner Columbia, describing incidents dated November 26, 2002 to July 10, 2006.

Most-cited components

  • Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint
  • Steering 1 complaint

Of the 2 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash and 1 a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #10166921 · Filed

    2002 FREIGHTLINER LEAKED DIESEL FUEL DUE TO A BROKEN FUEL LINE. *TS *JB

  • ODI #770204 · Filed

    PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED REPORT ON A TOTAL OF 5 FAILURES, ODI NUMBER 762991 ON 6/12/2002. SINCE THAT POINT WE HAVE HAD AN ADDITIONAL 14 FAILURES, AND 1 MORE ACCIDENT. TRW THE MANUFACTURER OF THE STEERING GEAR BOX HAS NOT MADE ANY EFFORT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE. PROFESSIONAL…

Read all 2 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2002 Freightliner Columbia in 2 investigations. Audit Queries and Equipment Queries are administrative investigations: they look at whether companies complied with federal vehicle safety requirements, such as reporting, recall and certification rules, not at a possible vehicle defect. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Fire Extinguisher May Be Clogged or Inoperable

NHTSA #17V810000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice

Reported December 15, 2017 · Daimler Trucks North America LLC

Potentially affected: 24,860 vehicles

Repair completion: 0.92% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign FL-759 · Owners notified April 11, 2018 · Vehicles built July 11, 2001 – August 19, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

SEATS/GRA-MAG

NHTSA #05V001000 · Seats · NHTSA notice

Reported January 3, 2005 · FREIGHTLINER LLC

Potentially affected: 1,770 vehicles

Freightliner campaign FL-438 · Owners notified April 20, 2005 · Vehicles built August 1, 2002 – September 30, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SEATS BUILT BY GRA-MAG, THE SEAT PIVOT BOLTS CAN LOOSEN AND POSSIBLY FRACTURE OR DISLODGE, CAUSING THE SEAT BACK TO FAIL TO PROVIDE FULL SUPPORT TO THE DRIVER'S BACK.

Safety consequence

A POSSIBLE VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE SEAT FALL BACKWARDS DURING USE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Notes

FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO. FL-438.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

FREIGHTLINER/MANIFOLD DASH VALVES

NHTSA #02V321001 · Service Brakes, Air · NHTSA notice

Reported December 2, 2002 · FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION

Potentially affected: 427 vehicles

Freightliner campaign FL403 · Owners notified February 21, 2003 · Vehicles built May 2, 2002 – September 21, 2002 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANIFOLD DASH VALVES WITH PUSH TO CONNECT FITTINGS USED TO CONTROL THE PARK BRAKE FUNCTION ON TRUCKS AND TRAILERS WITH AIR BRAKES, THE PARK KNOB CAN POP OUT UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THIS WILL EXHAUST THE AIR FROM THE PARK BRAKE SYSTEM ON THE TRAILER AND APPLY THE PARKING BRAKES.

Safety consequence

IF THIS CONDITION IS NOT NOTICED, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

HALDEX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE THE VALVE INSPECTED AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 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 HALDEX BRAKE SYSTEMS AT 816-801-2641 OR FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Notes

ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Other Freightliner Columbia model years

Check your 2002 Freightliner Columbia VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Freightliner Columbia at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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