The 1998 Freightliner Fld has 5 safety recalls and 2 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (2 complaints).
Recalls5safety recalls
Complaints2filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Suspension › Front › Hub
NHTSA recall 03V112000 · Mar 21, 2003 · 5,716 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRUCK HUB UNITS MANUFACTURED BY SKF EXCLUSIVELY FOR USE ON ARVINMERITOR'S FF98X SERIES NON-DRIVE STEER AXLES, THE HUB UNIT BEARINGS CAN WEAR PREMATURELY.
Risk: SEIZURE OF THE BEARINGS CAN CAUSE WHEEL SEPARATION OR WHEEL END FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT HUBS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 20, 2003. 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.
Vehicle speed control
NHTSA recall 02V077000 · Mar 20, 2002 · 97 vehicles
Problem: CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS CONVERTED FROM SLEEPERCABS TO DAY CABS AND EQUIPPED WITH A DETROIT DIESEL OPTIMIZED IDLE SYSTEM. THE IDLE SYSTEM WAS NOT COMPLETELY DISABLED IN THE CAB CONVERSION PROCESS.
Risk: THIS CAN RESULT IN UNINTENTIONAL ENGINE STARTING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL COMPLETELY DISABLE THE OPTIMIZED IDLE SYSTEM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 3, 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.
Service brakes, air › Antilock
NHTSA recall 00V232002 · Aug 7, 2000 · 35,405 vehicles
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS AND SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS BUILT WITH BENDIX AIR ABS WITH AN EC-17 1030R ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU), THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS CAUSED BY 1) CHAFED ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WIRES ON ROTATING PARTS OR 2) A DAMAGED COMPONENT AT THE WHEEL END THAT GENERATES A CERTAIN TYPE OF ERRATIC SENSOR SIGNAL.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE ABS ECU TO EXHAUST THE AIR AT THE AIR BRAKE MODULATORS FOR ONE OR MORE OF THE WHEELS. THIS COULD RESULT IN EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCES AND A POSSIBLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS ECU.
Suspension › Front › Hub
NHTSA recall 99V295000 · Oct 26, 1999 · 2,976 vehicles
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE OUTBOARD BEARING ON THE STEERING AXLE HUBS CAN FAIL DUE TO WATER INTRUSION THROUGH A HUBCAP VENT.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE HUBCAP AND INSPECT FOR WATER INTRUSION AND CORROSION. THE HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED IF THERE IS EVIDENCE OF CORROSION. A NON-VENTED HUBCAP WILL BE INSTALLED.
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR ENGINES AND EATON AUTOSHIFT TRANSMISSIONS. THE ENGINES CAN STALL BECAUSE OF SOFTWARE PROBLEMS.
Risk: INCREASED STEERING EFFORT CAN OCCUR.
Fix: CATERPILLAR IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THIS RECALL. DEALERS WILL UPDATE THESE ENGINES WITH SOFTWARE CHANGES.
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
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Power train Axle assembly; Driveline › Driveshaft
2
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jul 16, 2002Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, HE NOTICED A VIBRATION, WHICH BECAME RAPIDLY SEVERE, CONSUMER THEN HEARD A NOISE AND THERE WAS ALSO A SMELL OF HOT OIL, THE SEMI LOST ALL POWER, CONSUMER COASTED TO A STOP, AND AFTER EXITING THE SEMI, CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE DRIVE SHAFT HAD BROKE OFF WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, WHICH CAUSED ANOTHER MOTORIST TO RUN OVER IT.(OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT)*JB
May 21, 2000Power train › Axle assembly THE FRONT AXLE FAILED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND COLLISION WITH GUARDRAIL (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.