RoadVitals

1997 Freightliner MT35

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.
2
Latest Apr 12, 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 no NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Freightliner MT35. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 2 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.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns 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
99V033003

STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING

Apr 12, 1999
503 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: STEP VANS EQUIPPED WITH SPICER 6,000 OR 8,000 LB. FRONT STEER AXLES. THE TIE ROD END CAN PULL OUTBOARD AND SEPARATE FROM THE TIE ROD TUBE DUE TO IMPROPER THREAD ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN THE MALE TIE ROD END AND THE FEMALE TUBE.
The risk: SEPARATION OF THE TIE ROD END COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE COMPLETE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY.
FREIGHTLINER CORPORATIONManufacturer number FL-233View on NHTSA.gov
99V026000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:SPRINGS

Feb 8, 1999
1,770 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE HOOK ON THE THROTTLE RETURN SPRINGS CAN FRACTURE AT LOW MILEAGE.
The risk: THE THROTTLE MAY NOT RETURN TO IDLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE SPRINGS WITH HEAVIER SPRINGS AND A NEW ANCHOR.
FREIGHTLINER CORPORATIONManufacturer number FL-229View 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.

SF171A

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

FIELD SERVICE MODIFICATION SF171A / SC141A IS BEING INITIATED TO MODIFY FREIGHTLINER CUSTOM CHASSIS VEHICLES. THE CLUTCH DISK ON MT35 CHASSIS MAY CAUSE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE SYNCHRONIZERS INSIDE THE EATON ES4205 MANUAL TRANSMISSION. *TT

SF171A

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)

ON FREIGHTLINER CUSTOM CHASSIS MT35 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH 20, 1996 AND OCTOBER 23, 1998, EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS 3.9L ENGINE AND EATON ES4205 MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, THE CLUTCH DISK MAY CAUSE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE SYNCHRONIZERS INSIDE THE EATON ES4205 MANUAL TRANSMISSION. *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 MT35 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2000010—
1999000—
1998020—
1997Viewing020—
1996020—

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.