Dt*: the contact stated while attempting to depress the brake pedal at 35 MPH, the pedal would not completely depress. The brake pedal felt as if it was "rock-hard". The brakes did not stop the vehicle. Three years prior to this incident a recall notification letter regarding the rotors was received for this vehicle and the recall work was performed. However, the recall work did not remedy the problem. The freightliner recall #sf 258a-d. The dealership would not offer a second repair without charge under the recall. Updated 07/25/06.
The worst 2001 Freightliner FS-65 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Fuel system8
- Brakes3
- Electrical2
- Body1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Fuel system8
- Brakes3
- Electrical2
- Body1
Recalls 4
Fuel system, diesel
- What is wrong
- Certain 1998-2003 my freightliner fs-65 school bus chassis and mb-45, mb-55, and xb shuttle bus chassis, and thomas built bus: mvp-er and mvp-ef school bus and non-school bus models equipped with cummins isb diesel engines and equipped with federal-mogal 12 and 24 volt fuel lift pumps. The fuel pump could fail to transfer fuel appropriately creating an engine stall condition.
- Risk
- Should the engine stall while the vehicle is in use, a possible vehicle crash could occur.
- Remedy
- Cummins will notify the customers of freightliner and thomas built and replace the fuel lift pump free of charge. Owners may contact cummins at 1-800-diesels.
Recall number 05V205000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- On certain school buses chassis equipped with caterpillar engines and hydraulic brakes. A braided ground strap for the starter may rub on a steel chassis brake line potentially causing a fluid leak.
- Risk
- A brake fluid leak can reduce braking effectiveness and increase the stopping distance, which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the brake line and replace it, if necessary. The braided ground strap will be replaced with an insulated cable. The recall began on august 10, 2004. Owners may contact freightliner at 1‑800‑547‑0712.
Recall number 04V343000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- On certain school buses, the brake hoses from the chassis to front brake chambers could develop leaks due to the hose routing that could overstress the hose during sharp turns.
- Risk
- The vehicle could have reduced braking capacity, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect for improper routing. If improper routing is found, dealers will replace and correct the hose routing. Owner notification began april 29, 2002. 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.
Recall number 02V084000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: bus chassis vehicles. An electrical pass-through connector may not fit in the firewall mounting hole correctly, resulting in the connector dislodging and an electrical terminal contacting the firewall.
- Risk
- This can cause an electrical short and potential fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect vehicles for proper mounting of the electrical pass through and correct if necessary. Owner notification began october 9, 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.
Recall number 01V215000 · Recall details
See all 4 recalls for the 2001 Freightliner FS-65
Defect investigations
Front air brake hose leakage
There is no summary currently available
PE02024
What 2001 Freightliner FS-65 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Dt: the contact owned a 2000 freightliner. Contact was unable to get recall repair work because the manufacturer will not pay the dealership enough to do the repair work. Dealer had 20 of these vehicles 2000-2001 models. Could do these repairs themselves, but they could not do fast enough for the vehicles to be ready before school started. The dealer will not let any of other person help him to get the repair work done. The company was community bus services.
Dt: the contact owned a 2000 freightliner. Contact stated that was unable to get recall repair work done on fuel system because the manufacturer will not pay the dealership enough to do the repair work. Ha d 20 of these vehicles 2000-2001 year models. Could do the repairs themselves, but they could do fast enough for the vehicles to be done before school started. The dealer will not let any of other people help him to get the repair work done. The company was community bus services.
Dt: the contact owned a 2000 freightliner. He stated was unable to get the recall repair work done on fuel system because the manufacturee will not pay the dealership enough to do the repair work. Had 20 of these vehicles, 2000-2001 year models. Could do the repairs themselves, but they could not do fast enough for the vehicle to be done before school started. The dealer will not let any of other person help him to get the repair work done. The company wa scommunity bus services.
Dt: the contact owned a 2000 freightliner. Contact was is unable to get recall repair work done on fuel system because the manufacturer will not pay the dealership enough to do the repair work. Had 20 of these vehicles, 2000-2001 year models. Could do the repairs themselves, but they could not do fast enough for the vehicles to be done before school started. The dealer will not let any of other person help him to get the repair work done. The company was community bus services.
Dt: the contact owned a 2000 freightliner. Contact was unable to get recall repair work on fuel system done. Had 20 of these vehicles, 2000-2001 year models. Could do the repairs themselves, but they could not do fast enough for the vehicle to be done before school started. The dealer will not let any other person help him to get the repair work done. The company was community bus services.
Dt: the contact owned a 2000 freightliner. Contact was unable to get recall repair work don eon fuel system because the manufacturer will not pay the dealership enough to do the repair work. Had 20 of these vehicles, 2000-2001 year models. Could do the repairs themselves, but they could not do fast enough for the vehicles to be done before school started. The dealer will not let any other person to help him to get the repair work done. The company was community bus services.
Dt: contact owned a 2000 freightliner. Contact was unable to get the recall work don on fuel system because the manufacturer will not pay the dealership enough to do the repair work. Had 20 of these vehicles, 2000-2001 year models. Could do the repairs themselves, but they could not t do fast enough for the vehicles to be done before school started. . The dealer will not let any other person help him to get the repair work done. The company was community bus services.
Dt:edthe contact owns a 2000 freightliner. Contact was unable to get recall repair work work on fuel system done because the manufacturee will not pay the dealership enough to do the repair work. Had 20 of these vehicles, 2000-2001 year models. Could do the repairs themselves, but they could not do fast enough for the vehicles to be done before school started. The dealer will not let any of other person help him to get the repair work done. The company was community bus services.
Starter ground strap rubbed hole in steel brake line located near the starter. This caused a loss of brake fluid and brake pressure.
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Questions about the 2001 Freightliner FS-65
Is the 2001 Freightliner FS-65 reliable?
Owners have filed 12 complaints about the 2001 Freightliner FS-65, 2.4 times a typical FS-65 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Freightliner FS-65?
Fuel and propulsion system, with 8 complaints. Next is brakes (3).
How many recalls does the 2001 Freightliner FS-65 have?
4 recalls, covering fuel system, diesel, service brakes, hydraulic and electrical system.
Was there a recall on the 2001 Freightliner FS-65 fuel system?
Yes, 1 recall: 05V205000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
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