RoadVitals

1999 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.
6
Latest Aug 28, 2007
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.
7
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Freightliner Century, most frequently naming the heating & air conditioning, electrical and engine categories. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 14 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

  • Heating & air conditioning112.5%
  • Electrical112.5%
  • Engine112.5%
  • Fuel system112.5%
  • Steering112.5%
  • Tires & wheels112.5%
  • Transmission112.5%
  • Visibility112.5%

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

7 campaigns cover this model year

View all 7

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
01V140007

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

Sep 17, 2001
75,000 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRW TIE ROD ENDS ON CERTAIN MERITOR AXLES. THE TIE ROD AND DRAG LINK BALL STUD ENDS CONTAIN BEARINGS THAT ARE BELOW THE SPECIFIED CASE DEPTH AND/OR HARDNESS.
The risk: THIS CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE WEAR WITH POSSIBLE SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE ALL AFFECTED TIE RODS AND DRAG LINKS WITH DIFFERENT DESIGNED ENDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 8, 2001. 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 CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
01V044002

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

Feb 21, 2001
16,000 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS, SCHOOL BUS AND MOTOR HOME CHASSIS, AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES MANUFACTURED BY TRW. THE SUSPECT TIE RODS CONTAIN 24-DL MODEL BALL SOCKETS. CERTAIN OF THE TIE ROD BALL-SOCKET BEARINGS HAVE A BELOW-SPECIFICATION CASE DEPTH AND/OR HARDNESS, WHICH CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE WEAR OF THE SOCKET.
The risk: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE PARTIAL CONTROL OF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE BALL SOCKETS AND/OR DRAG LINKS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 22, 2001. 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 OR TRW CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-866-280-3287.
FREIGHTLINER CORPORATIONManufacturer number FL-284View 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

Engine
Filed Aug 28, 2007
Fire reported

1999 FREIGHTLINER CENTURY CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *KB OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT. *JB

NHTSA ID
10201485
Incident
Jul 12, 2007
Transmission
Filed Mar 24, 2005

PROBLEM WITH REVERSE IDLER GEAR, BOLT UNSCREWED ON IT OWN.. DISCOVERED THERE IIS A REPLACEMENT KIT REDESIGNED TO STOP THIS PROBLEM FROM OCCURING BUT COSTS TO REPAIR IS EXPENSIVE

NHTSA ID
10114618
Incident
Mar 23, 2005
SteeringTires & wheels
Filed Jul 14, 2003

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FRONT TIRES ARE WEARING EXCESSIVELY AND HAVE TO CONSTANTLY BE REPLACED. CONSUMER BELIEVES PROBLEM IS DUE TO DEFECTIVE TIE ROD ENDS. RELATED RECALL 01V140007, BUT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
10027146
Visibility
Filed Jul 2, 2002

ALARM FOR T AIR CIRCULATION KEPT GOING OFF. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8013149
Incident
Jul 1, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Jun 1, 2001

FUEL LEAK. *AK

NHTSA ID
889598
Heating & air conditioningElectrical
Filed Jun 6, 2000

THE ALTERNATOR WAS LOOSE AND THE BOLT HAD DESTROYED THE ALTERNATOR AND BRACKET WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED. YH

NHTSA ID
552509
Incident
Apr 12, 2000

Manufacturer communications

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

19-008WI

EQUIPMENT

Warranty Information Letter sent to customers regarding new refrigerator supplier for returning parts.

19-009WI

STRUCTURE

Warranty Information Letter - Expanded guidelines for paint-related claims sent out to Freightliner, Western star, Thomas Built Bus, Export and Direct warranty customers

fp46907

STEERING

Steering Intermediate Shaft Replacement

ICI12-016 FL614

STEERING

Important Campaign Information on FL614 Recall

sb9810 Chassis P

STRUCTURE

Service Bulletin 9810- Chassis Paint Usage

sb0036

EQUIPMENT

Operating Hours for the Customer Assistance Center

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
1999Viewing672—
1998952—
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.