RoadVitals

1997 Freightliner Fln

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
0
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.
4
Latest May 22, 2000
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.
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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.
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Overview

Our database contains no NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Freightliner Fln. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
00V152001

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

May 22, 2000
83 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN TRACTORS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE AIR LINES MAY NOT BE ROUTED PROPERLY TO THE DRIVE AXLE SERVICE BRAKE RELAY.
The risk: THESE VEHICLES ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE STANDARD.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR CORRECT AIR LINE ROUTING AND REROUTE IF NECESSARY.
FREIGHTLINER CORPORATIONManufacturer number FL-259View on NHTSA.gov
00V002001

PARKING BRAKE

Jan 3, 2000
33 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH HALDEX MANIFOLD DASH VALVES (MDV) USED IN TRACTOR AND TRAILER PARKING BRAKES. THESE VALVES DO NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS." A LOSS OF THE ISOLATION OF THE TWO BRAKE SYSTEM CIRCUITS CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF SERVICE BRAKES WHEN THERE IS ANOTHER FAILURE OF ONE OF THE TWO BRAKE CIRCUITS.
The risk: THE LOSS OF SERVICE BRAKES CAN OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: A REPLACEMENT VALVE WILL BE PROVIDED TO OWNERS WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.
FREIGHTLINER CORPORATIONManufacturer number FL-248View on NHTSA.gov
99V224000

STEERING

Aug 17, 1999
224 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS WITH STEERING LINKAGES CONVERTED TO STAND-UP RIGHT-DRIVE BY FONTAINE MODIFICATION COMPANY. THESE VEHICLES HAVE A STEERING CROSS SHAFT THAT CONNECTS THE RIGHT SIDE STEERING COLUMN TO THE LEFT SIDE STEERING COLUMN, WITH A MITER BOX, AND U-JOINT AT EACH SIDE. THE CROSS SHAFT, MITER BOX SHAFT, AND U-JOINT HAVE KEYWAYS AND THE U-JOINT HAS A SET SCREW AT BOTH CONNECTIONS. THE KEYS CAN WORK LOOSE AND FALL OUT.
The risk: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NUTS AND BOLTS THROUGH THE UNIVERSAL JOINT ENDS AND SHAFTS WHICH WILL CREATE A POSITIVE LOCK BETWEEN THE STEERING GEAR BOXES.
FREIGHTLINER CORPORATIONManufacturer number FL-242View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

No owner complaints recorded for this model year

Either none have been filed with NHTSA, or this vehicle is too new for reports to have accumulated.

Manufacturer communications

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

SF172AB

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

CONCERNS WITH SHIFT FORK FAILURE OCCURING IN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 7, 1997 TO DECEMBER 18, 1998. *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 Fln by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2008010—
2007010—
2006010—
2005110—
2004010—
2003010—
2002030—
2001030—
2000060—
19990120—
1998080—
1997Viewing040—
1996020—
1995020—
1994010—
1993010—
1992020—
1991010—
1990010—

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.