1997 Freightliner Century Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1997 Freightliner Century, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine125.0%
- Other / unspecified125.0%
- Suspension125.0%
- Tires & wheels125.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 64 MPH, THE EXHAUST FUME CAME INTO THE CAB THROUGH THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM INTAKE. THERE WAS A SMELL OF FUME PRESENT WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED EITHER WHILE DRIVING OR WHEN IN AN IDLE POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE CLUMPS AND MANIFOLD HOSE WERE DEFECTIVE. THE PARTS WERE REPLACED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONTINUAL PROBLEM WITH THE AIR GUAGES BEING INACCURATE, THEY WILL NOT DROP TO ZERO WHEN AIR TANKS ARE DRAINED THEY STILL SHOW 15-20 LBS OF AIR PRESSURE THEY ARE OFF 10-20% WHEN AIR TANKS ARE FULL, CHP INSPECTIONS AT TERMINAL HAVE FOUND ALL AIR GUAGES INCLUDING THE GUAGE THAT WAS REPLACED TO BE INACCURATE.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING REAR LEFT LEAF SEPARATED FROM WHEEL FRAME, RESULTING IN MAJOR DAMAGE TO TRUCK. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED; HOWEVER UNABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TIRE BLEW OUT ON SIDEWALL RESULTING IN VEHICLE ROLLOVER ACCIDENT.(BRIDGESTONE 295/75R/225).
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .