How many recalls does the 2003 Unimog U500 have?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2003 Unimog U500 as of October 16, 2026. Each includes the defect description, safety consequence, and the remedy Unimog will perform. New recalls can be issued at any time; this page is refreshed from NHTSA daily.

How do I tell if my 2003 Unimog U500 is affected by a recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN — stamped at the base of the windshield on the driver side and on the door jamb sticker — at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's VIN lookup shows whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall; the list on this page covers every campaign for the 2003 Unimog U500.

Are recall repairs on a 2003 Unimog U500 free?

Usually. Federal law requires Unimog to remedy recalls on the 2003 U500 free of charge at an authorized Unimog dealer, regardless of how many owners the vehicle has had or how many miles are on the odometer — unless it was first sold more than 15 years before the recall was issued (5 years for tires).

Does a recall on the 2003 Unimog U500 affect resale value?

An open recall can reduce resale value; a recall that has been repaired (documented in the vehicle history report) generally does not. Before you buy or sell a used 2003 Unimog U500, check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm every recall has been remedied.

How many owner complaints are on file for the 2003 Unimog U500?

No owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA on the 2003 Unimog U500.

NHTSA vehicle safety data

2003 Unimog U500 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2003 Unimog U500 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 0 owner complaints on file as of October 16, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Unimog dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2003 Unimog U500. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

NHTSA #06V457000

Reported November 30, 2006 · FREIGHTLINER LLC

Potentially affected: 80 vehicles

Defect description

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE EAS TRANSMISSION OPTION, A PROGRAMMING LOGIC ERROR IN THE TRANSMISSION AUTOMATIC SHIFT SYSTEM MAY PREVENT THE VEHICLE'S CLUTCH FROM DISENGAGING WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN WORKING GROUP OR CRAWLER GEAR RANGE (LOW-LOW RANGE).

Safety consequence

THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS NOT CAPABLE OF OVERCOMING THE ENGINE TORQUE TRANSMITTED TO THE WHEEL ENDS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN WORKING GROUP OR CRAWLER GEAR RANGE. IF THE CLUTCH FAILS TO DISENGAGE THE ENGINE MUST BE SHUT-DOWN IN ORDER TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH OR PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE AUTOMATIC SHIFT SYSTEM TO PROVIDE REDUCED ENGINE TORQUE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN WORKING GROUP OR CRAWLER GEAR RANGE. THE GEAR SHIFT ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT WILL BE REPLACED AND TWO RELAYS WILL BE ADDED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 28, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Notes

FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO. FL-486.CUSTOMERS CAN 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.

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

NHTSA #06V237000

Reported July 3, 2006 · FREIGHTLINER LLC

Potentially affected: 54 vehicles

Defect description

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC SHIFT, AIR MAY LEAK INTO THE CLUTCH HYDRAULIC SYSTEM AT THE CENTRAL RELEASE BEARING SEAL PREVENTING THE CLUTCH FROM OPENING COMPLETELY AND POTENTIALLY PREVENTING THE TRANSMISSION FROM SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL.

Safety consequence

FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH TO OPEN COMPLETELY OR THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL COULD MAKE THE VEHICLE DIFFICULTY TO BRING TO A COMPLETE STOP OR CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL FORWARD WHILE STOPPED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CENTRAL RELEASE BEARING AND UPDATE THE CLUTCH ACTUATION ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 24, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Notes

FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO. FL-478.CUSTOMERS CAN 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.

TIRES

NHTSA #04V537000

Reported November 8, 2004 · FREIGHTLINER LLC

Potentially affected: 45 vehicles

Defect description

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN 365/85 R20 TIRES, THE TIRES MAY NOT BE COMPATIBLE WITH THE MAXIMUM LOAD AND MAXIMUM SPEED RATINGS.

Safety consequence

VEHICLE OVER-LOADING AND TIRE UNDER-INFLATION WILL RESULT IN VEHICLE ROLLOVER AND INJURY TO OCCUPANT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIRES WITH MICHELIN 395/85 R20, AND AN UPDATED GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS (GAWR) CERTIFICATION LABEL WILL BE AFFIXED TO THE VEHICLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 3, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Notes

FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO.FL-434.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

NHTSA #03V163000

Reported May 1, 2003 · FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION

Potentially affected: 28 vehicles

Defect description

CERTAIN TRUCKS DO NOT COMPLY WITH SEVERAL FEDERAL STANDARDS: (1) THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABELS, PART 567, "CERTIFICATION;" (2) TIRE LABELS, FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NO. 120, "IRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS;" (3) INCOMPLETE VEHICLE DOCUMENT, PART 568, "VEHICLES MANUFACTURED IN TWO OR MORE STAGES;" (4) FRONT SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT;" (5) LIGHTING FUNCTIONALITY, PART 393; (6) DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS ARE NOT SUFFICIENT TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS;" AND NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES;" AND (7) SEAT BELT LATCHES ON TWIN PASSENGER SEAT DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 209, "SEATING SYSTEMS."

Manufacturer remedy

ONLY TWO OF THESE VEHICLES HAD BEEN SOLD TO CONSUMERS AND BOTH VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REMEDIED. THE REMAINING VEHICLES ARE AT DEALERSHIPS AND WILL BE REPAIRED AT THOSE LOCATIONS. NO OWNER NOTIFICATION IS NECESSARY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN.

Notes

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

Other Unimog U500 model years

Check your 2003 Unimog U500 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Unimog U500 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Unimog VIN