RoadVitals

1998 Freightliner Century

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

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.
9
Latest Feb 17, 2005
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.
5
Latest Mar 21, 2003
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.
2
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 9 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Freightliner Century, most frequently naming the engine, fuel system and visibility categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 4 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine318.8%
  • Fuel system212.5%
  • Visibility212.5%
  • Powertrain (other)212.5%
  • Steering212.5%
  • Suspension16.3%
  • Seat belts16.3%
  • Body & structure16.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

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
03V112000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB

Mar 21, 2003
5,716 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: SEIZURE OF THE BEARINGS CAN CAUSE WHEEL SEPARATION OR WHEEL END FIRE.
The remedy: 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.
FREIGHTLINER CORPORATIONManufacturer number FL-407View on NHTSA.gov
00V232002

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK

Aug 7, 2000
35,405 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS ECU.
FREIGHTLINER CORPORATIONManufacturer number FL-266View on NHTSA.gov
99V359000

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

Dec 29, 1999
2,588 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE TIE ROD ENDS CAN FRACTURE DUE TO LOW STRESS, HIGH CYCLE, REVERSED BENDING FATIGUE RESULTING FROM A SYSTEM RESONANCE.
The risk: LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE ROD ENDS AND TUBE ASSEMBLY.
FREIGHTLINER CORPORATIONManufacturer number FL-251View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE03005ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

FRONT BRAKE AIR HOSE LEAKS

Opened Feb 7, 2003
Closed Aug 22, 2003

CERTAIN 1998-2001 FREIGHTLINER CENTURY AND COLUMBIA VEHICLES EXHIBIT A HIGHER RATE OF FRONT BRAKE AIR HOSE LEAKS THAN EARLIER VINTAGE FREIGHTLINER VEHICLES.THE LEAKS HAVE BEEN FREQUENTLY DISCOVERED AT FMCSA ROADSIDE INSPECTIONS SINCE THESE INSPECTIONS ARE CONDUCTED WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED (PRESSURIZING THE AIR HOSE) WHEREAS DRIVER PRE-TRIP INSPECTIONS MAY NOT ALWAYS BE PERFORMED WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED. AFTER A THOROUGH TECHNICAL REVIEW OF THIS MATTER,ODI HAS CONCUDED THAT WHILE THE SUBJECT VEHICLES EXHIBIT A HIGHER RATE OF FRONT BRAKE AIR HOSE LEAKS THAN EARLIER VINTAGE AND PEER VEHICLES, THESE LEAKS APPEAR TO BE MINOR. FREIGHTLINER HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THIS COMPONENT TO 5 YEARS, 500,000 MILES AND WILL ASSIST IN ALERTING THOSE VEHICLE OWNERS WHOSE VEHICLES ARE MOST SUSCEPTIBLE TO FRONT BRAKE AIR HOSE LEAKAGE BY ISSUING A SERVICE BULLETIN ALERTING THOSE OWNERS TO THE POTENTIAL FOR FRONT BRAKE AIR HOSE LEAKAGE TO OCCUR. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR FULL TECHNICAL DETAILS.

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
PE02088ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

INTEGRAL HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY

Opened Nov 22, 2002
Closed May 1, 2003

FREIGHTLINER SUBMITTED A DEFECT REPORT ON MARCH 21, 2003 IN WHICH THEY IDENTIFIED APPROXIMATELY 5000 TRUCKS AS POSSIBLY BEINGAFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM.ARVINMERITOR (FRONT AXLE MFR) SUBMITTED A DEFECT REPORT ONAPRIL 16, 2003, WHICH IDENTIFIES 6098 FREIGHTLINER TRUCKS ASBEING AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL AND 1191 AXLES SOLD TO FREIGHTLINER IN THE AFTERMARKET. ODI NOTES THAT THERE ARE TWOINTEGRAL HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLIES PER FRONT AXLE.FREIGHTLINER IDENTIFIED VEHICLES INCLUDINGFREIGHTLINER,STERLING, AND WESTERN STAR BRAND NAME AS BEINGAFFECTED BY THIS RECALL.SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.

WHEELSLed to recall 03E019000

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 9
Seat belts
Filed Feb 17, 2005

THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR IS JAMMED. THE CONSUMER MADE CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURE AND THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE FOR THIS BELT JAMMING. *NM

NHTSA ID
10111674
Incident
Feb 10, 2005
Mileage
54,950 mi
EngineSteeringSuspension
Filed Nov 5, 2003

1998 CENTURY CLASS MODEL TRAILER EXPERIENCING MULTIPLE PROBLEMS.*MR THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT ONE OF THE U-JOINTS HAD GONE BAD, THE FLEX LINE HAD ROTTED AWAY WHICH CONNECTED TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH CAUSED A LEAK. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A POWER STEERING LEAK, ALSO THE AIR FILTER WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS ASSIGNED ANOTHER TRACTOR, HOWEVER IT WAS A 2001 MODEL AND HE SOON DISCOVERED THE FAN BLADES WERE COMPLETELY BLACK AND HE HAD TO TAPE A FILTER OVER THE AIR INTAKE. *JB *NLM

NHTSA ID
10048179
Incident
Nov 1, 2001
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed Dec 12, 2001

CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES FIRMLY AND AXLE FELL OFF. VEHICLE IS A CENTURY CLASSIC, 2000. COSUMER MAY NOT BE AWARE OF NHTSA RECALL 99V35 9000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL F L-251 CONCERNING TIE ROD END. WILL TRY AND CONTACT CONSUMER TO INFORM SYSTEM WAS DOWN. *AK

NHTSA ID
8000609
Incident
Nov 1, 2001
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 13, 2000

CONSUMER FELT A VIBRATION IN THE DRIVETRAIN, THE DRIVESHAFT AND CONNECTING COMPONENTS CAME FLYING OUT FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE, THE YOKE ON THE BACK OF THE FRONT DRIVE AXLE WAS CRACKED AND CAME APART CAUSING ALL THE PARTS TO COME OFF, THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT IF THERE WERE GREASE FITTINGS ON THESE PARTS THE CRACKING WOULD HAVE BEEN SPOTTED WHEN DOING A GREASE JOB.

NHTSA ID
557218
Incident
Oct 26, 2000
Visibility
Filed Oct 29, 1999

DRIVER SIDE WIPER ARM FELL OFF. YH

NHTSA ID
549437
EngineFuel system
Filed Oct 29, 1999

INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKS FUEL. YH

NHTSA ID
549436
Engine
Filed Oct 26, 1999

EXHAUST SYSTEM FLEX PIPE WITHIN THE TURBO CRACKED, ALLOWING EXHAUST LEAKS INTO THE CLEAN AIR AND FIREWALL, WHICH THEN WENT INTO THE AIR CONDITIONER AND INTO THE CAB OFTHE TRUCK. *AK

NHTSA ID
851802
Visibility
Filed Jan 25, 1999

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS KEEP BLOWING OFF THE TRUCK . THE DEALER RESPONSE WAS "THATS A PISS POOR WAY TO MAKE A WIPER" . THIS AS YOU KNOW DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEMS I HAVE 25 TRUCKS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS . MY CONCERN IS THAT WHEN IT BLOWS OFF IT WILL HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT . YOUR HELP WOULD GREATLY BE APPRECIATED. *AK

NHTSA ID
702545
Incident
Jan 23, 1999

Manufacturer communications

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

sb2057

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

sb2057 New Surge Tank Design

SF229A

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

FIELD SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO MODIFY CERTAIN VEHICLES, MANUFACUTRED BETWEEN OCTOBER 3, 1997 AND AUGUST 18, 2000, THAT MAY DEVELOP SMALL PIN HOLE LEAKS IN THE POWER STEERING SUPPLY HOSE. *TT

SF174AB

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MAY 1, 1998 AND DECEMBER 7, 1998 MAY HAVE A QUADRAMOUNT TENSIONER INCORRECTLY INSTALLED WITH A LOCKWASHER INSTEAD OF THE PROPER FLATWASHER. *TT

985481

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

CONCERNS WITH THE HIGH COOLANT TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *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 Century by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2013011—
2012021—
2011091—
20100112—
20090122—
2008192—
2007093—
2006684—
2005222—
2004232—
2003420—
2002011—
2001442—
2000156259.3
1999672—
1998Viewing952—
1997441—
1996071—
1995020—

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.