Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 1 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
1 reports
35,190 miles · Nov 18, 2015
EngineFire
FIRE WAS INDUCED BY FAULTY ENGINE BLOCK HEATING ELEMENT. NO DAMAGE AND WAS EXTINGUISHED QUICKLY. NOT SURE OF MAKE OR MANUFACTURER FOR THE HEATING ELEMENT, BUT HAVE FOUND A RECALL ON SIMILAR ENGINES ON THIS SITE. ATTACHED RECALL, SEEMS IT ONLY PERTAINS TO BUSS AND TRUCKS. CANNOT FIND ANY RECALLS ON THIS ITEM OR OTHER ISSUES WITH …
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FIRE WAS INDUCED BY FAULTY ENGINE BLOCK HEATING ELEMENT. NO DAMAGE AND WAS EXTINGUISHED QUICKLY. NOT SURE OF MAKE OR MANUFACTURER FOR THE HEATING ELEMENT, BUT HAVE FOUND A RECALL ON SIMILAR ENGINES ON THIS SITE. ATTACHED RECALL, SEEMS IT ONLY PERTAINS TO BUSS AND TRUCKS. CANNOT FIND ANY RECALLS ON THIS ITEM OR OTHER ISSUES WITH FREIGHTLINER OR CATERPILLAR. ALSO SEEMS MY ECM WAS DAMAGED ALSO, ENGINE WILL NOT START OR SHOW RPM OR OIL PRESSURE BUT READING ARE GOOD WHEN CHECKED. VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THE FIRE WAS NOTICED.
NHTSA ODI #10794657
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2003 Freightliner Discovery Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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