RoadVitals

1997 Freightliner XC

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 Nov 24, 1999
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 Sep 5, 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.
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 XC, most frequently naming the driver assistance and electrical categories. 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Driver assistance150.0%
  • Electrical150.0%

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

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
00V230002

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

Sep 5, 2000
5,032 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CHASSIS BUILT WITH CATERPILLAR ENGINES AND EQUIPPED WITH FELSTED ELECTRONIC ACCELERATOR PEDALS. THE RETURN SPRINGS CAN BREAK ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDALS THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH STAINLESS STEEL OR ELECTROPLATED MUSIC WIRE RETURN SPRINGS.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE PEDAL TO GO TO FULL THROTTLE IF BOTH RETURN SPRINGS BREAK, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: REPLACEMENT ACCELERATOR PEDALS EQUIPPED WITH RETURN SPRINGS MANUFACTURED OF MUSIC WIRE WITH ONE ADDITIONAL COIL ON EACH SPRING AND WITH AN ORGANIC COATING, ELIMINATING ELECTROPLATING WILL BE INSTALLED.
FREIGHTLINER CORPORATIONManufacturer number FL-271View on NHTSA.gov
00V247000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM

Aug 29, 2000
524 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: RECREATIONAL VEHICLE CHASSIS. INTERFERENCE CAN OCCUR BETWEEN THE STEER AXLE SLACK ADJUSTERS AND THE AXLE KNUCKLE POST DURING A FULL WHEEL CUT WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED.
The risk: THIS CAN RESULT IN DIMINISHED BRAKING EFFORT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SLACK ADJUSTERS WITH ONE THAT WILL PROVIDE CLEARANCE.
FREIGHTLINER CORPORATIONManufacturer number FL-269View on NHTSA.gov
00V040000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Feb 15, 2000
15,000 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOME CHASSIS. THE TIRE PRESSURE ON THE CERTIFICATION LABELS ARE INCORRECT FOR THE DESIGNATED GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF PART 567, "CERTIFICATION."
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN IMPROPER INFLATION OF THE TIRES FOR THE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING LISTED FOR THE CHASSIS.
The remedy: OWNERS WILL BE MAILED AN OVERLAY WITH THE CORRECT TIRE PRESSURE.
FREIGHTLINER CORPORATIONManufacturer number FL-253View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Nov 24, 1999

FROM THE TIME OF PURCHASE DIDN'T HAVE BRAKE LIGHTS. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER WHO MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. BUT, BRAKE LIGHTS CONTINUED TO BURN WITHOUT APPLYING BRAKES. REMOVED THE FUSE. CURRENTLY, ANY TIME THE CHASSIS GETS WET IT CAUSES PROBLEMS WITH THE WIRING AND SPEED CONTROL. *AK

NHTSA ID
846506
Incident
Jun 17, 1999

Manufacturer communications

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

SF176AB

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM 6/27/97 THROUGH 11/20/98 MAY HAVE CATERPILLAR 3126A/B ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK CALIBRATIONS THAT WERE INCORRECTLY SET. A MODIFICATION EXIST TO INSTALL AND CALIBRATE A NEW ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK AT THE NEXT SCHEDULED ENGINE OIL CHANGE. *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 XC by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2008001—
2007001—
2006010—
2005110—
2004100—
2001010—
2000260—
1999470—
1998070—
1997Viewing140—
1996010—

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.