Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2006 Freightliner Century
NHTSA data on file today
The 2006 Freightliner Century has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns and 6 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #12V074000 HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #11V514000 RACK AND PINION BEARING CORROSION NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #11V465000 ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #11V146000 GRID HEATER/POSSIBLE FIRE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09V391000 PLASTIC LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINES LEAKS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09V357000 RACK AND PINION STEERING NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07V169000 SPINDLE NUT ADJUSTMENT/ARVINMERITOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #05V551000 FRONT AXLE I-BEAM NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 4 complaints
- Steering 2 complaints
- Air Bags 1 complaint
- Suspension 1 complaint
Together, the 6 complaints on file report 3 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $9,000–$14,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2006 Freightliner CENTURY shows a below-average reliability due to multiple recalls, particularly in engine cooling, steering, and suspension. Frequent engine and cooling issues, along with a corrosion-prone steering system, contribute to high repair needs.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Cooling | 60,000–100,000 miles | $1,500–$3,000 | common |
| Steering | 70,000–120,000 miles | $1,000–$2,500 | common |
| Fuel System | 80,000–130,000 miles | $500–$1,500 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Engine coolant replacement
- Brake system inspection and service
- Steering system lubrication
- Fuel filter replacement
- Transmission fluid change
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Steering fluid leaks
- Unstable steering
- Engine overheating
- Fuel system odors
- Unusual engine noises
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2006 Freightliner Century at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.