RECALLS — FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA
Freightliner Columbia recalls
Freightliner Columbia model years 2010–2021 covered by at least one recall campaign. Pick a year to see the Canadian and U.S. campaigns side by side.
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U.S. NHTSA campaigns are listed on each year page, where they are queried live by model year. The Canadian list below covers every year together.
Transport Canada recalls
16- Steering#2023083
3,460 units affected
Issue: On certain trucks, the joint connecting the steering arm to the drag link may not have been properly tightened. As a result, the joint could loosen and separate, causing a loss of steering control. Safety Risk: A loss of steering control could create the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your truck to a DTNA authorized service facility to inspect the castle nut on the drag link taper joint. The nut will be checked for the correct torque, and tightened or repaired, as necessary.
- Lights And Instruments#2020158
873 units affected
Issue: On certain trucks equipped with "Fleet Engineer" mud flaps, the bracket for the mud flaps may partially cover the rear reflective tape. Canadian regulations require that reflective tape must be visible on the rear of the truck. Safety Risk: Reflective tape that is covered may make the truck less visible to others and could create an increased risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Daimler Trucks of North America (DTNA) will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your truck to an authorized DTNA Service Facility to inspect the reflective tape. It will be moved as necessary to meet the regulations.
- Brakes#2020086
231 units affected
Issue: On certain trucks equipped with air disc brakes, the brake caliper mounting bolts may not be properly tightened. This could cause the caliper bolts to loosen and result in reduced brake effectiveness. Safety Risk: Reduced brake effectiveness could cause an increase in stopping distance and create the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their truck to an authorized Daimler Trucks of North America Service Facility to inspect and replace the brake caliper bolts as necessary.
- Brakes#2019237
110 units affected
Issue: Certain trucks were built with air reservoir tanks that are too small in relation to the size of the air brake chambers. Canadian regulations require enough air reservoir capacity to ensure the brakes work even with heavy use or when there is a partial loss of the air system. Safety Risk: Reduced braking could cause extended stopping distances and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their truck to a Daimler Trucks North America authorized service facility to modify the truck to ensure it meets Canadian regulations.
- Steering#2012193
44 units affected
On certain trucks, the front axle knuckles may have been manufactured incorrectly, which could lead to shorter than expected bearing and knuckle life. In some instances, this could result in separation of the wheel from the axle. A wheel separating from the vehicle could cause a loss of control and a crash. In addition, the errant wheel assembly could strike a vehicle, stationary object or a bystander. These issues could result in property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the front axle knuckles.
- Brakes#2012139
179 units affected
On certain trucks, the quick release valve (QRV) cover may not have been welded correctly during manufacturing process and may become loose or separate from the valve body. If this occurs, air pressure may not be supplied to the front brakes during brake application. The rear brakes will continue to function. Reduction in braking efficiency could increase stopping distances, possibly resulting in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Daimler authorized repair facilities will inspect and if necessary replace the quick release valve.
- Fuel System#2012080
11,923 units affected
On certain trucks equipped with a Detroit Diesel DD13, DD15 or DD16 engine, the support system for the high pressure fuel line (between the fuel pump and the fuel delivery rail) may be damaged during a service repair procedure. Incorrect torque applied to the dampener "P" clip fasteners may damage the fasteners, which could allow the clips to loosen. This could result in a cracked fuel line and a diesel fuel leak. Diesel fuel leakage may ignite on a hot engine surface and cause a fire. As well, diesel fuel spilt on the roadway could endanger other road users by making the roadway unexpectedly slippery. These issues could result in property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the high pressure fuel line and install a more robust fuel line support system.
- Other#2011411
1,412 units affected
On certain vehicles equipped with an MBE4000 (EPA07) engine, the intake air grid heater may short circuit and fail. This could result in a vehicle fire causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will install an additional external relay to prevent battery connection to the grid heater when the vehicle is not running and when grid heater control signal is absent.
- Steering#2011367
1,457 units affected
On certain trucks equipped with a rack & pinion steering system, the lower pinion bearing may corrode and fail. As a result, the vehicle may require additional steering input while driving in a straight line. This could also cause a loss of steering power assist. These issues could ultimately result in property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect the rack and pinion gear assembly. If it passes the inspection, new bellows will be installed and grease added to the bottom pinion bearing. A steering gear that fails the inspection will be replaced.
- Other#2011346
1,027 units affected
On certain vehicles, specific operating conditions (such as tight, successive, highly banked curves in opposite directions), could trigger unintended Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system intervention. As a result, the ESC may unnecessarily apply one of the front brakes in order to correct the perceived oversteer condition. This may cause the vehicle to deviate from the intended path, thereby increasing the risk of a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the ESC module.
- Electrical#2011236
5,924 units affected
On certain trucks equipped with a DD15 or DD16 engine, the bolt attaching a rubber isolator to a support bracket may become loose, back out, and contact the starter cable. This could cause an electrical short, which could result in a fire causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will install a new bolt and isolator, and apply thread-locking fluid to the fastener.
- Fuel System#2010144
3,194 units affected
On certain vehicles, should the fuel filter become restricted, the low pressure fuel flange may develop a crack resulting in a fuel leak. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire causing property damage, personal injury or death. Correction: Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel flange with a more robust component.
- Engine#2009294
1,802 units affected
On certain vehicles, the engine grid heater may fail, which could result in a vehicle fire causing property damage, personal injury or death. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the engine control logic to provide cold weather starting without the need of a grid heater. Wiring to the grid heater will be removed.
- Fuel System#2009287
3,080 units affected
On certain trucks, the plastic low-pressure fuel line may fatigue crack and leak. Diesel fuel leakage may ignite on a hot engine surface and cause a fire, which could result in property damage, personal injury or death. As well, diesel fuel spilt on the roadway could endanger other road users. Correction: Dealers will replace the plastic low-pressure fuel line with a steel low-pressure line.
- Engine#2009270
5,647 units affected
On certain vehicles equipped with a Caterpillar C15 engine, the Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) oil line may wear against the P-clip retaining the oil line. An oil leak could result in a vehicle fire causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Caterpillar dealers will replace the VVA oil line with an updated version.
- Steering#2009259
1,117 units affected
On certain trucks, the left inner tie rod end may loosen and eventually separate from the steering rack. Tie rod failure could result in a loss of steering control and a crash, causing personal injury or death. Correction: Dealers will remove and inspect the left inner tie rod. Damaged steering racks will be replaced.
Canadian data updated August 24, 2026
Does this recall apply to my vehicle?
Matched by make, model, and model year. Many recalls affect only specific VIN ranges — confirm with your dealer using your full VIN.
What to do
Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer in both countries. To confirm a recall applies to your specific vehicle, contact your manufacturer or dealer with your full VIN, or use the official channel:
- NHTSA recall lookup (search by VIN) — U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Defects and recalls database — Transport Canada