2003 Freightliner Business Class recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Suspension
What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. ON CERTAIN TRUCKS BUILT WITH 8,000 OR 6,000 POUND FRONT AXLES AND FOUR-PIECE SPINDLE NUT SETS, PREMATURE FRONT ,WHEEL BEARING WEAR MAY BE CAUSED BY INCONSISTENT BEARING ENDPLAY ADJUSTMENT.
What could happen: IF ALLOWED TO PROGRESS, THE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The fix: THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AXLE OIL SEALS AND HUB CAP GASKETS ON BOTH SIDES. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2003 BUSINESS CLASS.
- Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 04V272000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-547-0712.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
Summary: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS BUILT WITH 8,000 OR 6,000 POUND FRONT AXLES AND FOUR-PIECE SPINDLE NUT SETS, PREMATURE FRONT ,WHEEL BEARING WEAR MAY BE CAUSED BY INCONSISTENT BEARING ENDPLAY ADJUSTMENT.
Consequence: IF ALLOWED TO PROGRESS, THE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AXLE OIL SEALS AND HUB CAP GASKETS ON BOTH SIDES. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
Notes: FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO. FL-424. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Digital tire pressure gauge
- 2003 Freightliner Business Class owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Wheels / tires (2), Engine (2), Fuel system (1), Diesel (1), Unknown Or Other (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (7)
02/04/2015 · Wheels / tires · crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS EQUIPPED WITH KELLY CHARGER HPT TIRES, SIZE 275/70R/24.5 (NA). THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE TWO FRONT TIRES BLEW OUT. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A WALL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500,000…
08/02/2013 · Fuel system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FREIGHT LINER M2 BUSINESS CLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, GASOLINE LEAKED FROM THE TRUCK AND ONTO THE UNDER CARRIAGE. THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE HIGHER PRESSURE FUEL LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TRUCK WAS REPAIRED BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER…
07/06/2010 · Engine
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BUSINESS CLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPAIR FOR THE NHTSA RECALL, CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V418000, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS PERFORMED ON HIS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE EGR ASSEMBLY WAS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED WHEN THE RECALL REPAIR WAS DONE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT…
06/22/2010 · Unknown Or Other
DAIMLER VANS, LLC SAFETY RECALL 2010-040002 CALLED FREIGHTLINER DEALER IN OAK CREEK, WI (TRUCK COUNTRY, INC.) THEY HAVE NO INFORMATION AND CANNOT DO THE REPAIR ACCORDING TO THE SAFETY RECALL. I TRIED CALLING DAIMLER AND LISTENED TO MUSIC ON HOLD FOR 40 MINUTES. I GOT NOWHERE WITH THEM! *TR
07/13/2007 · Engine
WHILE DRIVING 2003 FRIEGHTLINER SPRINTER ON TWO OCCASIONS WAS OVERCOME WITH NOXIOUS FUMES, RESULTING IN CARBON MONOXIDE POSIONING THAT REQURIED A EMERGENCY VISIT TO THE HOSPITAL. VAN HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE AND CONTINUES TO HAVE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A COMPANY VAN .
06/03/2005 · Body / structure
CONTACT STATES: THAT DOOR BLEW OPEN WHILE DRIVING. ELECTRIC DOOR FOR PASSENGERS FREIGHT LINER SPRINTER 2003. BRAUN CONVERSION FOR WHEELS CHAIRS. HAS ELECTRIC DOOR THAT HAS NO LATCH TO CLOSE AND THERE IS GAP IN THE DOOR,1/2 INCH. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DODGE DEALER THAT IT IS WAS THE CONVERSION PART FOR BRAUN THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. AND TO TAKE IT TO A P…
05/03/2005 · Wheels / tires
CONTACT STATES: JULY 27,2004, HAD A TIRE BLOW OUT ON THE REAR TIRE ON THE VAN. THE MUD FLAP BLEW OFF AND THERE WAS DAMAGE DONE TO THE WHEEL WELL. TOOK VEHICLE TO BARNETTE TIRE SERVICE, AND THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BLOW OUT WAS DUE TO THE TIRE VALVE. NOW THERE HAS BEEN TIRE VALVE RECALL. *AK