I purchased truck 11/2010 truck drove fine for the first yr. Pulling very light freight always the truck became very hard to control. Truck dances, hops, bounce etc. I have had suspension work done and the prob has not improved. I don't get irregular tire wear no physical signs that can be seen, just poor performance. I would not buy another one. The engine/ trans, no complaints, only the drivability.
The worst 2006 Freightliner Century problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Engine4
- Steering2
- Airbags1
- Suspension1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine4
- Steering2
- Airbags1
- Suspension1
Recalls 8
Engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel
- What is wrong
- 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 other repairs, the line supports may loosen, potentially leading to fuel line cracking and a fuel leak.
- Risk
- A fuel leak could create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. Also a fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 12V074000 · Recall details
Steering: rack and pinion
- What is wrong
- Daimler trucks is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 freightliner cascadia, columbia, century, coronado, and classic xl trucks manufactured from november 1, 2004, through june 15, 2010 for the rack and pinion steering system. The lower pinion bearing may corrode and fail. A failed bearing may lead to damage of the spool valve seals. A damage spool valve seal may allow hydraulic fluid to flow to the right or left turn port instead of flowing to the return port.
- Risk
- The steering could unexpectedly turn left or right, making the vehicle more difficult to control and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Daimler trucks will inspect the lower bearing for corrosion. If corrosion is found, the rack and pinion system will be replaced. If no corrosion is found, on the bearing, the bearing will be packed with grease and the rubber bellows will be replaced with sealant added between the bellows and the rack housing. An interim letter was mailed in december 2011. Owners may contact daimler trucks toll-free at 1‑800‑547‑0712.
Recall number 11V514000 · Recall details
Electronic stability control (ESC)
- What is wrong
- 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 angle calculation of the electronic stability control (ESC) system. This might cause the ESC to perceive an over steering situation and therefore apply the outer wheel brake on the front axle until the vehicle is perceived to be stable.
- Risk
- If the driver is slow to react during this ESC intervention, the vehicle may deviate from the intended line of travel increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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 and parts availability. The safety recall began on march 28, 2012. Owners may contact daimler trucks toll-free at 1‑800‑547‑0712.
Recall number 11V465000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- Daimler trucks (dtna) is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2011 freightliner, cascadia, century, columbia fld, and m2, sterling 9500, and western star 4900 heavy trucks manufactured from march 20, 2006, through june 30, 2010, equipped with specific mbe4000 epa07 model engines. The intake air grid heater may short circuit and fail due to excessive internal temperatures.
- Risk
- A short circuited grid heater could result in a vehicle fire and injury to vehicle occupants.
- Remedy
- Dtna will notify owners of the recall during march 2011. Another notification will be issued once the remedy is released. Dtna expects the remedy to be available by december 1, 2011. Repairs will be performed by dtna dealers free of charge. Owners may contact dtna toll-free at 1‑800‑547‑0712. This recall is asscociated with a previous recall, campaign number 10v‑341.
Recall number 11V146000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Daimler trucks is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2010 heavy trucks manufactured between january 17, 2006 and march 31, 2009, equipped with epa07 model mbe4000 engines built with plastic low pressure fuel lines. The plastic lines may experience leaks due to fatigue cracks caused by stress and vibration combined with high internal pressure.
- Risk
- If a diesel fuel leak continues undetected under certain conditions fuel may ignite on a hot engine surface and/or fuel may spill on the road increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Daimler trucks will notify owners and the remedy will be performed by detroit diesel corporation authorized repair facilities and direct warranty customers. The safety recall began on may 7, 2010. Owners may contact daimler trucks at 1‑800‑547‑0712.
Recall number 09V391000 · Recall details
Steering: rack and pinion
- What is wrong
- Daimler trucks is recalling certain model year 2005 through 2010 heavy duty trucks manufactured from october 29, 2005 through july 3, 2009. Under certain condition, the left hand inner tie rod end may loosen over time and if not corrected, potentially separate from the steering rack.
- Risk
- A separated tie rod assembly can result in loss of vehicle control at higher speeds and a crash could occur.
- Remedy
- Daimler trucks will notify owners and the vehicles will be repaired free of charge. The safety recall began on february 5, 2010. Owners may contact daimler trucks toll-free at 1‑800‑547‑0712.
Recall number 09V357000 · Recall details
Suspension: front: hub
- What is wrong
- On certain trucks built with front axles assembled by arvinmeritor, the front spindle nut may be over-tightened causing preload on the front wheel bearings which could lead to premature bearing wear.
- Risk
- If rapid bearing wear is allowed to progress, the front wheel assembly may separate from the vehicle which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the front hub installation for correct bearing adjustment. If the bearing adjustment is incorrect, the front wheel bearings will be replaced. The recall began on june 28, 2007. Owners may contact freightliner at 1‑800‑385‑4357.
Recall number 07V169000 · Recall details
Power train: axle assembly
- What is wrong
- On certain trucks and motor home chassis, the top flange of the front axle I-beam may fatigue and fracture.
- Risk
- Driver may experience loss control of the vehicle and a crash could occur without prior warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the front axle assembly. The recall began on march 15, 2006, for phase I. Phase 2 will begin during august 2006. This recall is being conducted in two phases. Phase I will replace the complete axle assembly; and phase ii will replace the axle beam and steering knuckles. Owners may contact freightliner at 1‑800‑547‑0712.
Recall number 05V551000 · Recall details
See all 8 recalls for the 2006 Freightliner Century
Defect investigations
Daimler Trucks North America Recalls
On April 23, 2018, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“the federal safety agency”) opened Audit Query (AQ18002) to assess the timeliness and scope of four recalls filed by Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (“DTNA”). the federal safety agency 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. the federal safety agency and DTNA entered into a Consent Order on December 29, 2020, to resolve the federal safety agency’s assertions that certain recalls within the scope of AQ18002 were untimely, DTNA failed to timely submit certain manufacturer communications to the federal safety agency, and DTNA failed to submit field reports to the federal safety agency as required. As part of the Consent Order, DTNA agreed to a total civil penalty of thirty million dollars ($30,000,000), of which ten million dollars ($10,000,000) was paid on January 12, 2021. Also, of that total civil penalty, DTNA agreed to spend five million dollars ($5,000,000) on the specific performance obligations to develop advanced data analytics capabilities to enhance its ability to detect and study emerging safety-related defect trends on its vehicles (“Safety Data Analytics infrastructure”) and an advanced data analytics and reporting platform that integrates data on emerging safety-related defect trends on its vehicles and recall lessons learned (“Safety Communications Platform”). The Consent Order also held fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) of the civil penalty in abeyance pending DTNA’s satisfactory completion of the requirements of the Consent Order, and its compliance with the Safety Act, and regulations thereunder. the federal safety agency and DTNA agreed to a two-year term for the Consent Order—with an option for the federal safety agency to extend the Consent Order for an additional year, if warranted. In the Consent Order, DTNA agreed to numerous performance obligations, including monthly meetings with the federal safety agency to discuss potential safety issues, recent manufacturer communications, and recall decision-making, among other things; quarterly meetings with the federal safety agency to discuss DTNA’s progress on the performance obligations under the Consent Order, including the Safety Data Analytics infrastructure and Safety Communications Platform, and any issues related to compliance with the Consent Order, Safety Act, or regulations; development of written procedures and employee training materials to help DTNA comply with its legal obligations to timely identify and report safety defects and noncompliances, submit complete and accurate recall filings, and timely submit manufacturer communications and field reports to the federal safety agency; and identifying and reporting previously unreported manufacturer communications and field reports. Also, via the Consent Order, DTNA acknowledged that the failure or inability to identify a specific root cause, develop an adequate remedy or repair, or confirm the affected population of vehicles are not bases for delaying filing a recall with the federal safety agency. On December 22, 2022, the federal safety agency extended the Consent Order for a term of one year due to concerns about DTNA’s compliance with its recall-related obligations. Specifically, the federal safety agency expressed concerns about the completeness of DTNA’s recall reports and issues identified with owner notification letters during the term of the Consent Order, as well as the length of time that DTNA took to consider a straightforward noncompliance issue before filing a recall and DTNA’s interactions with the federal safety agency during the term of the Consent Order. the federal safety agency addressed these concerns with DTNA during the third year of the Consent Order. The extended term of the Consent Order expired on December 28, 2023. Based on the Consent Order, this investigation, AQ18002, is closed. Closure of this AQ has no bearing on the terms of the Consent Order or DTNA’s ongoing legal obligations, and it does not represent a determination by the federal safety agency as to DTNA’s performance under the Consent Order.
AQ18002
Rack and pinion failure
A consumer complaint was filed with the agency on august 22, 2009, by an independent contractor leasing a 2009 freightliner cascadia.the complaint alleges that in april of 2009 at approximately 50,000 miles he experienced a seal rupture in the rack and pinion assembly.a new seal was installed and at 56,000 miles he found his right steer tire completely bald.the repair shop identified an internal failure of the rack and pinion assembly causing the rapid wear of the tire.odi has identified ewr field reports related to failed rack and pinions on the subject vehicles.the reports identify either an internal failure of the rack and pinion assembly that resulted in crashes or a looseness of the inner tie rod end of the rack and pinion resulting in a poor alignment and premature tire wear.information received during this investigation from freightliner detailed failures of the rack and pinion assemblies on the subject vehicles.these failures were the result of the left hand inner tie rod end becoming loose over time.when the tie rod becomes loose, it may separate from the rack and pinion assembly and make the vehicle difficult to steer.frieghtliner has concluded that a defect related to motor vehicle safety does exist on the subject vehicles and has initiated a safety recall (09v‑357) that will remedy all of them.this recall involves removing the tie rod and adding a compound to it that will prevent the tie rod from coming loose over time.a copy of the recall is attached.freightliner's action resolves the issues raised by this investigation and, therefore, this investigation is closed.
PE09040
Insecure fifth wheel latching
On november 19, 2007, freightliner filed defect report 07v‑530 which outlines a safety recall program to notify the affected owners and correct the affected vehicles.
PE07047
Steering column weld cracks
As a result of the odi investigation, freightliner has agreed to recall (number 07v‑289) all of the vehicles manufactured with steering columns potentially missing welds.the recall remedy will involve inspecting the recalled vehicles for missing welds and if found replace the steering column.early warning aggregate data submitted to the federal safety agency by freightliner suggested that a steering problem (ewr code 01) existed for the 2004 and 2005 century and columbia class vehicles.the count of field reports submitted for the first quarter of 2006 was higher than the average of the previous 6 quarters for the aggregate steering data.odi's further review of the ewr data foundfield reports that described steering column failures as a result of steering column welds cracking or breaking.information received from freightliner detailed failures of the steering columns on the subject vehicles.these failures were the result of missing and cracked welds on the steering column assembly.during testing of vehicles containing defective steering columns, odi determined that weld failures in the steering column create a situation where the vehicle becomes difficult to steer or may startle the driver upon failing, thus presenting a safety risk.a copy of the recall is attached.freightliner's action resolves the issues raised by this investigation and, therefore, this investigation is closed.
EA07002
Technical service bulletins for the 2006 Freightliner Century 109
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Warranty Information Letter sent to customers regarding new refrigerator supplier for returning parts.
- Warranty Information Letter
- Steering Intermediate Shaft Replacement
- Important Campaign Information on FL614 Recall
- Ss 1033638
- Sb2057 New Surge Tank Design
- Computer Hook-Up Standard Diagnostic Time Update
- 17CSA25
- 17CSA24
- OWL Enhancement Service Model Field
What 2006 Freightliner Century owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 freightliner century. The vehicle was being serviced for an unrelated failure when the contact was advised that the vehicle was included in two recalls (the federal safety agency campaign id numbers 07v473000: engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly and 09v357000: steering: rack and pinion). The dealer advised that the vehicle could not be repaired because the parts needed to make repairs were unavailable. The contact was concerned that the dealer was unable to obtain any information from the manufacturer as to when the parts would become readily available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 145,000.
Been in this freightliner,century, with detroit power, have been experiencing headaches(severe) sinus issues,can smell exhaust in truck,tired all the time,eyes bothering me, dry throat,been this truck for 3 months now. Suspect fumes coming from air vents, cant shut it off.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 freightliner. In september 2006 the contact stated that the SRS light illuminated on the dashboard. The failure was a computer glitch, and reprogrammed the computer. The SRS light illuminated again in december 2006. The dealer repaired the tensioner and the air bags. In february 2007 the failure recurred once again and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the clock spring/steering sensor was replaced. In march 2007 the failure recurred, and the dealer performed a service involving the air bag module/occupant restraint. The light illuminated again at 33,500 miles. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, who repaired the clock spring/steering sensor again. On april 23, 2007 the failure duplicated. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was out of warranty, but due to the ongoing failures chrysler agreed to pay for the parts, and the contact would be responsible for the diagnostic. He was issued reference # 16231713 by chrysler, and stated that this was a safety problem because the air bags may malfunction in a crash. The manufacturer sent him to gosset motors in memphis, tennessee, where they determined that a shortage squib occurred in both the right and left air bags, but found nothing that could be repaired. However, they reset the SRS light on the dashboard. The manufacturer claimed that they would pay for the repairs. The current mileage is 36,809, and failure mileage was 28,000.*ak the consumer stated that the vehicle still is yet to be repaired and he wants to be compensated for out of pocket expenses and repairs for vehicle. The consumer provided all invoice repairs for vehicle pertaining to defect and registration, bill of sale. 06/22/07
Freightliner century with 14l 60 series engine has had exhaust manifold replaced twice. Both new manifolds still leaking exhaust. Cannot close vents in truck. No option to close vents on switch panel. Exhaust coming into cab. Clean air intake for cab is under the hood in the direct line of manifold leakage.
Just got a 2006 freightliner century with 14l 60 series detriot, turbo clamp was loose, both flex pipes leaked within 2 months, exhaust manifold on engine would not seal, clamps on intake on left side of engine were loose creating exhaust leak. New manifold will not seal.
Compare the 2006 Freightliner Century
Other model years
Questions about the 2006 Freightliner Century
Is the 2006 Freightliner Century reliable?
Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2006 Freightliner Century, 1.5 times a typical Century model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2006 Freightliner Century?
Engine and cooling, with 4 complaints. Next is steering (2).
How many recalls does the 2006 Freightliner Century have?
8 recalls, covering engine and engine cooling, steering and electronic stability control (esc).
Was there a recall on the 2006 Freightliner Century engine?
Yes, 2 recalls: 12V074000, 11V146000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2006 Freightliner Century?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history