2001 Freightliner Mt-45 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Equipment
What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the vehicle. CERTAIN VAN CHASSIS WITH SINGLE REAR TIRES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS." THE REAR TIRE RATING WAS INCORRECTLY ENTERED IN THE GAWR/GVWR CALCULATION PROGRAM ON CERTAIN SINGLE REAR TIRES. THE REAR GAWR AND GVWR WILL BE INCORRECT WHEN THE GAWR IS LIMITED BY THE TIRE CAPACITY ON CHASSIS WITH TH…
What could happen: THIS COULD CAUSE PREMATURE TIRE TREAD WEAR OR TIRE FAILURE DURING NORMAL DRIVING WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL MAIL NEW CHASSIS IDENTIFICATION LABELS WITH THE CORRECT GAWR, GVWR, AND TIRE INFORMATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2005. OWNERS MAY 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 2001 MT-45.
- Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 05V138000.
- 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: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Summary: CERTAIN VAN CHASSIS WITH SINGLE REAR TIRES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS." THE REAR TIRE RATING WAS INCORRECTLY ENTERED IN THE GAWR/GVWR CALCULATION PROGRAM ON CERTAIN SINGLE REAR TIRES. THE REAR GAWR AND GVWR WILL BE INCORRECT WHEN THE GAWR IS LIMITED BY THE TIRE CAPACITY ON CHASSIS WITH THESE TIRES.
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE PREMATURE TIRE TREAD WEAR OR TIRE FAILURE DURING NORMAL DRIVING WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL NEW CHASSIS IDENTIFICATION LABELS WITH THE CORRECT GAWR, GVWR, AND TIRE INFORMATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
Notes: FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO. FL-444. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236.
2. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: STEP VANS. THE BACK-UP BRAKE PUMP WAS WIRED TO A 25 AMP FUSED CIRCUIT INSTEAD OF THE REQUIRED 50 AMP FUSED CIRCUIT. IF THE BACK-UP HYDRAULIC BRAKE PUMP WERE TO ENGAGE DUE TO A FAILURE IN THE PRIMARY BRAKE ASSIST SYSTEM OR THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE FUSE COULD BLOW.
What could happen: THIS RESULTS IN A LOSS OF POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKE SYSTEM, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REWIRE THE BACK-UP BRAKE PUMP CIRCUIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 23, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME 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 2001 MT-45.
- Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 01V117000.
- 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: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: STEP VANS. THE BACK-UP BRAKE PUMP WAS WIRED TO A 25 AMP FUSED CIRCUIT INSTEAD OF THE REQUIRED 50 AMP FUSED CIRCUIT. IF THE BACK-UP HYDRAULIC BRAKE PUMP WERE TO ENGAGE DUE TO A FAILURE IN THE PRIMARY BRAKE ASSIST SYSTEM OR THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE FUSE COULD BLOW.
Consequence: THIS RESULTS IN A LOSS OF POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKE SYSTEM, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REWIRE THE BACK-UP BRAKE PUMP CIRCUIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 23, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
Notes: ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
3. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: STEP VANS. WATER COULD ENTER THE ELECTRICAL RELAYS RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
What could happen: THIS COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW SEALED RELAY AND FUSE BOX WITH SEALED RELAYS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 23, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME 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 2001 MT-45.
- Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 01V116000.
- 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: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: STEP VANS. WATER COULD ENTER THE ELECTRICAL RELAYS RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
Consequence: THIS COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW SEALED RELAY AND FUSE BOX WITH SEALED RELAYS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 23, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
Notes: 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
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- Portable jump starter
- 2001 Freightliner Mt-45 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Fuel system (1), Gasoline (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (1)
06/20/2008 · Fuel system
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FREIGHTLINER MT-45. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE FUEL LIFT PUMP FAILED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL. THE CONTACT CALLED A REPAIR CENTER AND WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05E054000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE CONTACT WOU…