RoadVitals

1997 Freightliner FL80

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.
1
Latest Feb 18, 2003
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 26, 1998
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 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 1997 Freightliner FL80, most frequently naming the steering category. 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

  • Steering1100.0%

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
98V114000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:RESERVOIR/TANK

May 26, 1998
45 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEADY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 36" REAR BRAKE CHAMBERS. THE BRAKE SYSTEM DOES NOT MEET THE AIR RESERVOIR VOLUME REQUIREMENT OF FMVSS 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

Steering
Filed Feb 18, 2003

PROBLEM: BALL STUD & SOCKET ASSEMBLY SEPARATED. REVIEW NHTSA #OOV-246.001 TRUCK: 1997 FREIGHTLINER, FL-80 - SERIAL # [XXX] IN-SERVICE DATE: MAY 9, 1997 - MILEAGE 76,389 THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT, DEPT. OF TRANS., HAS A LARGE NUMBER OF 1997 THRU 1999 FREIGHTLINER, FL-80 DUMP TRUCKS, USED FOR SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL. CANNOT RECEIVED THE NHTSA BULLETIN #00V-246-001 PERTAINING TO BALL STUD AND SOCKET ASSEMBLIES COMING APART. FREIGHTLINER SENT ONLY A FEW NOTICES PERTAINING VEHICLES IN OUR FLEET. NONE OF THEM INCLUDED THE LARGE NUMBER OF 1997 FREIGHTLINER DUMP TRUCKS. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED, TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT TO STOP. NO DAMAGE OR INJURIES REPORTED. THE FAILED BALL AND SOCKET SEPARATED IN THE EXACT SAME WAY AS NOTED IN THE FREIGHTLINER BULLETIN #FL396AB OR NHTSA #00V-246-001. ACTION REQUEST: EXTEND OR EXPAND THE RECALL OF THE TRW BALL & STUD AND SOCKET ASSEMBLIES TO INCLUDE OTHER VEHICLES BUILT USING THIS BALL & STUD ASSEMBLY. TIME FRAME SHOULD BE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO MAKE SURE ANOTHER BALL STUD & SOCKET ASSEMBLY DOES NOT FAIL AND CAUSES AN INJURY OR DEATH. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10007730
Incident
Feb 18, 2003
Mileage
76,389 mi

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Freightliner FL80 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2000200—
1998010—
1997Viewing110—
1996010—
1995010—
1994020—
1993020—
1992030—
1991050—

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.