Model year guide

2012 Freightliner Columbia

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2012 Freightliner Columbia is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

2012 Freightliner Columbia at a glance

Safety recalls6

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2012 Freightliner Columbia recalls 6

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #20V214000 · manufacturer #FL848 · 14/04/2020

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2006-2020 Freightliner Columbia, 2006-2021 Freightliner Business Class M2, 2007-2020 Freightliner Coronado, 2014-2021 Freightliner 122 SD, 2007 Sterling A 9500, 2006 Freightliner Argosy, 2006-2007 Sterling AT9500, 2008-2021 Freightliner Cascadia, 2006-2008 Freightliner Classic, 2006-2011 Freightliner Century Class, 2006-2010 Freightliner FLD, and 2017 West…

Fix: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and reposition the reflective tape to ensure that it is completely visible, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 29, 2020. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL848.

Equipment NHTSA Campaign #17V810000 · manufacturer #FL-759 · 15/12/2017

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2002-2017 Freightliner Cascadia, Century Class, Columbia and Coronado trucks and Western Star 4700, 4900, 5700, 5900 and 6900 trucks. These vehicles are equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers that may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activ…

Fix: DTNA will notify owners, and instruct them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on April 11, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712, or contact Kidde customer service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com …

Service Brakes, Air:disc:caliper NHTSA Campaign #16V206000 · manufacturer #FL-705 · 12/04/2016

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2010-2017 Freightliner M2 Business Class, 108SD, 114SD, and Columbia trucks manufactured from January 6, 2010, through February 29, 2016, equipped with certain Bendix rear disk brakes and spring suspensions. The rear disk brake caliper may have been installed incorrectly, thus allowing the caliper to contact the suspension.

Fix: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will correct the orientation of the rear brake calipers, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 8, 2016. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's recall number for this campaign is FL-705.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:diesel NHTSA Campaign #12V074000 · manufacturer #12C-2 · 28/02/2012

DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2013 FREIGHTLINER, STERLING, AND WESTERN STAR VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH DETROIT DIESEL EPA07 AND EPA10, DD13 AND DD15/16 ENGINES, MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 20, 2006, THROUGH FEBRUARY 20, 2012. THE PUMP TO RAIL HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE SUPPORT SYSTEM USED ON THESE ENGINES IS SENSITIVE TO ASSEMBLY TORQUE AND MAY BE DAMAGED DURING SERVICE WORK. AS A RESULT OF OTHE…

Fix: DTNA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND WHERE NECESSARY, THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE SUPPORT SYSTEM WILL BE REPLACED BY DTNA AUTHORIZED SERVICE FACILITIES, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DTNA AT 1-800-547-0712.

Electronic Stability Control (esc) NHTSA Campaign #11V465000 · manufacturer #FL-612 · 08/09/2011

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2012 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2, CASCADIA, CENTURY, COLUMBIA, CORONADO AND STERLING A-LINE VEHICLES BUILT WITH MERITOR WABCO ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) SYSTEM MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 15, 2005 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1, 2011. UNDER CERTAIN ROAD AND DRIVING CONDITIONS, VEHICLE BODY ROLL AND ROAD INCLINATION CHARACTERISTICS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT THE SLIP ANGL…

Fix: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ESC MODULE WITH THE APPROPRIATE SOFTWARE VERSION AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE MAILED ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 21, 2011. THE DATE FOR AVAILABILITY OF THE FINAL REMEDY IS SUBJECT TO VALIDATION TESTING A…

Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:cables NHTSA Campaign #11V330000 · manufacturer #FL-609 · 21/06/2011

DTNA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2012 FREIGHTLINER; CASCADIA, CENTURY CLASS, COLUMBIA, AND CORONADO, CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 STERLING; A-LINE AND L-LINE AND CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2012 WESTERN STAR CONSTELLATION VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH JUNE 15, 2011, BUILT WITH DETROIT DIESEL 15 OR 16 ENGINES. THE BOLT ATTACHING A RUBBER ISOLATOR TO A SUPPORT BRACKET MAY BECOME LOOSE AND …

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW BOLT AND ISOLATOR AND REPAIR THE RECREATIONAL VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 21, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DTNA AT 1-800-547-0712.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 1

Daimler Trucks North America Recalls Closed

On April 23, 2018, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) opened Audit Query (AQ18002) to assess the timeliness and scope of four recalls filed by Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (“DTNA”). NHTSA subsequently expanded AQ18002 to examine the timeliness and scope of three additional DTNA recalls and compliance with early warning reporting and manufacturer communications reporting requirements. NHTSA…

NHTSA #AQ18002 · Steering, Exterior Lighting · opened Apr 2018 · closed Jul 2024

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 547

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 547.

Warranty Information letter announcing that DTNA is increasing the Standard Diagnostic Times (SDTs) shown. The updated after treatment system (ATS) diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) pump times will be applied to repair orders opened on or after April 12, 2021.

Bulletin WI21-009 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2021

Warranty Information Letter announcing DTNA is adjusting the Standard Repair Times (SRTs) shown. The updated times will be applied to repair orders opened on or after April 5, 2021.

Bulletin WI21-008 · Equipment · Apr 2021

Revised Freightliner Service Bulletin for Axle Flange Gasket Replaced with O-Ring. Revision removed steps instructing removal and installation of wheels. Daimler Trucks North America has released a new axle shaft to hub rubber O-ring (part number 11-30728-000)…

Bulletin SB35-036 · Power Train · Dec 2020

Freightliner Service Bulletin for Axle Flange Gasket Replaced with O-Ring. Daimler Trucks North America has released a new axle shaft to hub rubber O-ring (part number 11-30728-000) as a replacement for the paper gasket (part number 11-14418-000). The new O-ri…

Bulletin SB35-036 · Power Train, Equipment · Oct 2020

Service Bulletin for Guidelines for Cleaning and Disinfecting Cab Surfaces. The following guidelines are for cleaning and disinfecting commonly touched surfaces on the inside and outside of a vehicle. For best results, follow cleaning and disinfecting procedur…

Bulletin SB60-171 · Structure · Jul 2020

Service Bulletin for Lengthening the Backup Light Harness. Though the backup light harness is long enough to connect to the backup light switch, it may be short enough that the wire seals in the connector can be stressed. Moisture entering through the seals ca…

Bulletin SB54-327 · Electrical System, Back Over Prevention · Apr 2020

Service Bulletin revision that adds Century Class and Columbia models to the affected list for a Door Window and Regulator Retrofit.

Bulletin SB72-043 · Visibility, Structure · Dec 2019

Warranty Information Letter sent to customers regarding new refrigerator supplier for returning parts.

Bulletin 19-008WI · Equipment · Aug 2019

Warranty Information Letter - Expanded guidelines for paint-related claims sent out to Freightliner, Western star, Thomas Built Bus, Export and Direct warranty customers

Bulletin 19-009WI · Structure · Aug 2019

Steering Intermediate Shaft Replacement

Bulletin fp46907 · Steering · Apr 2019

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the COLUMBIA. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 6

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2012 Freightliner Columbia. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Lights And Instruments

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…

Transport Canada #2020158 · Apr 2020

Brakes

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…

Transport Canada #2019237 · May 2019

Brakes

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, po…

Transport Canada #2012139 · Apr 2012

Fuel System

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 crac…

Transport Canada #2012080 · Feb 2012

Other

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 int…

Transport Canada #2011346 · Sep 2011

Electrical

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 t…

Transport Canada #2011236 · Jun 2011

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

2012 Freightliner Columbia vehicles on record

Other Freightliner Columbia model years

2012 Freightliner Columbia — frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Freightliner Columbia have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2012 Freightliner Columbia. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.