Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2002 Freightliner Columbia
NHTSA data on file today
The 2002 Freightliner Columbia has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 2 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #17V810000 Fire Extinguisher May Be Clogged or Inoperable NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #05V001000 SEATS/GRA-MAG NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #02V321001 FREIGHTLINER/MANIFOLD DASH VALVES NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Fuel System, Other 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).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $15,000–$25,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2002 Freightliner Columbia has a moderate recall history with notable issues related to equipment, seats, and air brakes. Its owner complaints are minimal, indicating no prevalent systemic issues. Thus, it reflects an average reliability rating.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| air brakes | 100,000–150,000 miles | $500–$1,500 | common |
| seat hardware | 75,000–125,000 miles | $200–$600 | occasional |
| steering system | 100,000–150,000 miles | $300–$900 | rare |
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 change
- Brake inspection and servicing
- Transmission fluid replacement
- Coolant flush and refill
- Air filter replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Park brake system issues
- Seat back support failure
- Steering responsiveness
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2002 Freightliner Columbia at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.