RoadVitals

1998 Freightliner American Lafrance

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
0
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Jun 9, 1999
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains no NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Freightliner American Lafrance. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 2 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
99V145000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY

Jun 9, 1999
32 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FIRE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AIR TANK DRAIN HEATERS. THE WIRING USED IN THE HARNESS FOR THE AIR TANK DRAIN HEATER IS UNDERSIZED.
The risk: IF THERE IS A SHORT IN THE HEATER AND THE CIRCUIT BREAKER DOES NOT TRIP, THE HARNESS WILL OVERHEAT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HARNESS WITH ONE THAT HAS LARGER GAUGE WIRES.
FREIGHTLINER CORPORATIONManufacturer number FL-240View on NHTSA.gov
98V050000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

Mar 4, 1998
213 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FIRE APPARATUS CABS EQUIPPED WITH CENTER MOUNTED REAR SEATS. THE UPPER D-RING SEAT BELT ANCHORAGES FOR THE REAR SEATS FAIL TO COMPLY TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE REAR SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE D-RING ANCHORAGES.
FREIGHTLINER CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
98V051000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK

Mar 4, 1998
125 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FIRE APPARATUS VEHICLES. THE FRONT BRAKES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE BRAKE RELEASE TIMING REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS."
The risk: INCREASED BRAKING DISTANCE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE VEHICLES.
FREIGHTLINER CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

No owner complaints recorded for this model year

Either none have been filed with NHTSA, or this vehicle is too new for reports to have accumulated.

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SF172AB

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

CONCERNS WITH SHIFT FORK FAILURE OCCURING IN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 7, 1997 TO DECEMBER 18, 1998. *TT

FL221AD

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

GENERAL RECALL INFORMATION ON VEHICLES EXPERIENCING FRONT BRAKES THAT FAIL TO COMPLY TO THE BRAKE RELEASE TIMING REQUIREMENTS. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Freightliner American Lafrance by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2005010—
2004010—
2002010—
2000010—
1999020—
1998Viewing030—
1997030—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.