AI Damage2000 Freightliner Century: common problems
Owners of the 2000 Freightliner Century filed 15 complaints with NHTSA, most often about suspension and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 15
What fails most often
- 1 Suspension 53% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 13% of all complaints
- 3 Structure 13% of all complaints
- 4 Seats 7% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 7% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 7% of all complaints
- 7 Wheels 7% of all complaints
- Suspension: 8 complaints (53% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (13% of all).
- Structure: 2 complaints (13% of all).
- Seats: 1 complaints (7% of all).
- Steering: 1 complaints (7% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 15 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 5 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
While driving approximately 55 mph, the driver felt a rumble and thump coming from the vehicle. He attempted to pull the vehicle over, but the wheel bearings became loose. As a result, the wheel was hanging on the steering spindle, the brakes were hanging in pieces, and the air line failed.
Came across this site by word of mouth. Noticed that I've got soot residue in my vents. I've been having a flu like system that my dr couldn't diagnosis and claimed it might be allergies. My blood pressure has been going up and we've been adjusting the meds more frequently since I've been in this truck.
Don't smoke, coughing, waking up with headaches, pastout while in truck ,vomiting, tired all the time, what's going on here. I am in my 30's, this isn't right. I also have a family to take care of, will this cause me problems in the future (health wise).
When it rains water comes in on the passenger's side. The water comes in through the drip pan, per a glass company. Dealer stated it was not covered under a warranty.
Tractor failure, tie rod and king pins and bearings were all in poor condition.
The driver side seat was altered by the manufacturer who disabled the full recline. As a result there was a greater chance of whiplash, spinal injury or driver ejection from the vehicle. The consumer has concerns about executive orders dealing with ergonomic workplace safety. Please provide additional information.
The intake for the heater/ac,is under the hood and is suppose to be sealed from the rest of the engine by a rubber gasket wich fits poorly and there are drain tubes that allow foul air from undder the hood (crankcase blowby,external oil leak burnoff) to be sucked into the cab,I have it happen almost every day with…
The left front spring hanger is loose, causing the axle to shift.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 9,286 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 25% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Century has 5 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 15, above average.
What to check before buying
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Seats. Occupant sensor, power adjustment, seat mounts.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Freightliner Century?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: suspension, engine and cooling, structure. Total complaints: 15. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (13%), A/C or heater (7%), knocking, grinding or other noise (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2000 Freightliner Century?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2000 Freightliner Century from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2000 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.