Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2008 Freightliner Century
NHTSA data on file today
The 2008 Freightliner Century has 9 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint 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 #10V341000 GRID HEATER/POSSIBLE FIRE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #10V189000 LOW PRESSURE FUEL FLANGE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09V400000 GRID HEATER/DETROIT DIESEL DD15 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09V391000 PLASTIC LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINES LEAKS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09V357000 RACK AND PINION STEERING NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Power Train 1 complaint
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $12,000–$18,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2008 Freightliner Century has a below-average rating due to several recalls, primarily associated with engine and cooling issues, steering defects, and fuel system problems. These issues can lead to costly repairs and safety concerns. The recurring problems with the diesel engine, steering, and fuel systems significantly affect its reliability and, consequently, its long-term ownership costs.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| fuel system | 50,000–80,000 miles | $400–$1,000 | very common |
| engine cooling | 40,000–70,000 miles | $600–$1,200 | common |
| steering system | 60,000–90,000 miles | $800–$1,500 | common |
| ESC system | 70,000–100,000 miles | $500–$900 | occasional |
| air grid heater | 40,000–60,000 miles | $300–$600 | 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 change every 10,000 miles
- Replace air filter every 30,000 miles
- Brake inspection every 20,000 miles
- Tire rotation every 10,000 miles
- Coolant flush every 60,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Unusual steering noise
- Sudden loss of power
- Increased engine temperature
- Fuel leaks under vehicle
- ESC warning light on
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2008 Freightliner Century at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.