RoadVitals

1999 Freightliner Fl-70

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.
5
Latest Aug 24, 2006
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.
1
Latest May 6, 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 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Freightliner Fl-70, most frequently naming the transmission, brakes and steering categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year.

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

  • Transmission240.0%
  • Brakes120.0%
  • Steering120.0%
  • Tires & wheels120.0%

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

Safety recalls

1 campaign 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
99V111000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

May 6, 1999
185 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH HYDRAULIC BRAKES. THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE TUBE TO THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE CAN CONTACT THE BOTTOM FRAME RAIL FLANGE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE TUBE WITH ONE THAT PROVIDES CLEARANCE TO THE FRAME RAIL.
FREIGHTLINER CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 24, 2006

1999 FREIGHTLINER FL70 LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AND DEBRIS HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED HE FELT A VIBRATION, THEN HE SAW TREAD EVERY WHERE. THE LEFT REAR RECAP HAD COME APART. *JB

NHTSA ID
10166949
Incident
Aug 31, 2005
Brakes
Filed Jul 1, 2002

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THEY DON'T HOLD.*AK

NHTSA ID
8013015
Incident
Jan 2, 2001
Transmission
Filed Dec 29, 1999

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
716612
Incident
Nov 26, 1999
Steering
Filed Dec 23, 1999

THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS MATTER OF SAFETY CONCERNING A LARGE TRUCK AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS TO SPICER AND FREIGHTLINER ARE GROWING DAILY AS WITNESSED ON THE EXPEDITOR FORUM WEBSITE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER OF SERIOUS CONSEQUENSE OF LOSING CONTROL WHILE DRIVING THESE VEHICLES. NO SAFETY DEFECT (S) MENTIONED IN SUMMARY. *AK

NHTSA ID
716372
Transmission
Filed Dec 14, 1999

TRUCK'S 7 SPEED SPICER TRANSMISSION JUMPS OUT OF GEAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, OFTEN OCCURRING ON DOWNGRADES WHEN GEARS ARE NEEDED MOST. THIS PROBLEM WAS NEVER CORRECTED BY DEALER REPAIR SHOPS. ULTIMATELY THE TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE SECOND TRANSMISSION OF THE SAME TYPE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM OF JUMPING OUT OF GEAR BEFORE FINALLY LOCKING UP. DEALER REPAIR SPECIALIST HAVE TOLD ME OF MANUFACTURER DEFECTS IN THIS TRANSMISSION. FREIGHTLINER HAS STOPPED USING THEM ON THEIR TRUCKS BUT REFUSE TO RE-CALL. REPLACEMENTS ARE MADE WITH THE SAME UNIT. NUMEROUS OTHERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS, SOME AFTER ONLY A FEW DAYS OF SERVICE. THE TRANSMISSION IN QUESTION IS A SPICER ESO66-7B. FAILURES WERE ALL SUDDEN WITH NO FOREWARNING. *AK

NHTSA ID
716044
Incident
Apr 2, 1999

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Freightliner Fl-70 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2002110—
2000400—
1999Viewing510—
1998191144.7
1997331—
1996230—
1995150—
1994240—
1993250—
1992060—
1991070—

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.