Model year record

1996 Freightliner Conventional recalls & problems

The 1996 Freightliner Conventional has 1 safety recall and 5 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (3 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints5filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 3reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

SuspensionNov 20, 1996

Rear

Recall 96V2330031,410 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ALL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH EATON DRIVE AXLES AND AXILOK SPINDLE NUTS. THE DRIVE AXLE HOUSINGS CONSIST OF A PLATE STEEL CENTER SECTION AND TWO FORGED SPINDLES, ONE OF WHICH IS WELDED TO EACH END OF THE CENTER SECTION. EACH SPINDLE CONTAINS A KEYWAY SLOT IN WHICH THE LOCKING TAB FOR THE WHEEL BEARING NUT LOCKING MECHANISM IS INSERTED. THE LENGTH OF THE KEYWAY SLOT MAY NOT BE LONG ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE THE TAB CAUSING THE TAB TO BE DEFORMED OR DAMAGED DURING INSTALLATION.
Risk: THIS LOCKING TAB PREVENTS THE WHEEL BEARING NUT FROM LOOSENING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IF THIS TAB IS DEFORMED, THE NUT CAN LOOSEN ALLOWING THE WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE AXLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVE AXLE HOUSING NUTS WITH A CONVENTIONAL WHEEL NUT HARDWARE SYSTEM.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Fires	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemWiring › Interior/under dash; Wiring › Front underhood	3	3	—
Tires	2	1	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine	1	0	—
Service brakes, airDisc › Pads	1	0	—
Power trainDriveline › Driveshaft	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
1996 FREIGHTLINER CONVENTIONALLY DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTIONED AND BROKE OFF. *TS THE DRIVETRAIN LANDED IN THE ROAD WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. POSSIBLE UNDERCARRIAGE DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES. THE DRIVESHAFT HAD BEEN CHANGED ABOUT A MONTH PRIOR TO ITS FAILURE. *NM
Sep 13, 2006
Tires
DT: CONTACT STATES THE BRAKE PADS ON A TRACTOR TRAILER TRUCK HIS FORMER BOSS OWNS ARE RUBBED DOWN INTO THE RIVETS OF THE HUB. THE TIRES DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH RUBBER ON THEM AND THE MOTOR IS LEAKING OIL. THERE ARE ALSO NO BC FIRE EXTINGUISHERS ON THE TRUCK. *NM
Nov 12, 2005
TiresFire
WHILE TRAVELING, THE CONSUMER OBSERVED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER STOPPED AND EXITED THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER SAW FIRE ON THE AREA OF THE WHEELS. CONSUMER STATED THAT UPON PUTTING OUT THE INTIAL FIRE, HEARD AN EXPLOSION THAT SOUNDED LIKE A TIRE BURST. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT (10-89-92) *YH *YH
Mar 27, 2002
Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dashFire
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER NOTICED A FIRE NEAR THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THE FIRE CHIEF STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM UNDER THE DASHBOARD, CONSUMER STATED HE HAD EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS STARTING THE VEHICLE BEFORE, OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT. *SLC
Jan 13, 2002
Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhoodFire
WIRING FAILURE RESULTING IN ENGINE FIRE.(OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT).
Aug 16, 1998

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.