RoadVitals

1999 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.
4
Latest Sep 21, 2004
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.
7
Latest Apr 13, 2001
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 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Freightliner XC, most frequently naming the brakes, fuel system and powertrain (other) categories. 7 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

  • Brakes120.0%
  • Fuel system120.0%
  • Powertrain (other)120.0%
  • 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

7 campaigns cover this model year

View all 7

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
01V115000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Apr 13, 2001
6,003 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: RECREATIONAL VEHICLE CHASSIS. A LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL (ENGINE WILL RETURN TO IDLE) COULD OCCUR WHEN THE EXHAUST BRAKE HAS BEEN ACTIVATED, THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, AND THE VEHICLE IS COMING TO A STOP.
The risk: A LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 14, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
FREIGHTLINER CORPORATIONManufacturer number FL-282View on NHTSA.gov
01V044002

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

Feb 21, 2001
16,000 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS, SCHOOL BUS AND MOTOR HOME CHASSIS, AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES MANUFACTURED BY TRW. THE SUSPECT TIE RODS CONTAIN 24-DL MODEL BALL SOCKETS. CERTAIN OF THE TIE ROD BALL-SOCKET BEARINGS HAVE A BELOW-SPECIFICATION CASE DEPTH AND/OR HARDNESS, WHICH CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE WEAR OF THE SOCKET.
The risk: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE PARTIAL CONTROL OF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE BALL SOCKETS AND/OR DRAG LINKS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 22, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712 OR TRW CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-866-280-3287.
FREIGHTLINER CORPORATIONManufacturer number FL-284View 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

Recent owner complaints

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

Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 21, 2004

MICHELIN XRV 235/80R/22.5 TIRE ZIPPER RIPS BLOW OUTS 1ST ONE APRIL 27, 2003 INSIDE LEFT DUEL. 2ND ONE SEPT. 18, 2004 RIGHT FRONT. *AK

NHTSA ID
10092988
Incident
Sep 18, 2004
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 30, 2004

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT, AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT BROKE, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10090034
Incident
Aug 16, 2004
Fuel system
Filed Nov 18, 2000

THIS IS A RIGID FUEL LINE CONSISTING OF A BAJO FITTING AT ONE END AND A FLARE FITTING AT THE OTHER. THE BAJO FITTING IS MOUNTED TO THE INJECTION PUMP, WHICH HAS IT'S OWN VIBRATION PATTERN. THE FUEL LINE IS HARD MOUNTED AT APPROXIMATELY HALF IT'S LENGTH TO THE ENGINE BLOCK, WHICH HAS IT'S OWN VIBRATION PATTERN. THE OTHER END OF THE LINE CONNECTS TO OTHER LINES VIA A "T" FITTING. THIS CONNECTION IS INHERENTLY MORE FLEXABLE BY DESIGN AND PROBABLY COMPOUNDS DIFFERENTIAL VIBRATIONS. LINE FATIQUE IS ALMOST CERTAIN. TYPICALLY THE LINE WILL BREAK WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION AND CONSIQUENTLY, THE DRIVER AND PASSANGERS WILL NOT BE AWARE OF THE FUEL LEAK. THE POSSIBILITY OF FIRE EXSISTS. INVESTIGATION WOULD PROBABLY REVEAL A TREND IN THE NUMBER OF SAME TYPE FAILURES AND MEANTIME BETWEEN FAILURE (APPROX 13K MILES). CUMMINS EVIDENTLY HAS REDESIGNED THE LINE ASSEMBLY WITH A "FLEXIBLE" PRODUCT UPGRADE. HOWEVER, CUMMINS NEEDS TO PROVIDE REPLACEMENT UNDER A RECALL SINCE THE NATURE OF THE FAILURE INVOLVES FUEL LEAKAGE.*AK

NHTSA ID
736498
Incident
Jul 2, 2000
BrakesSteering
Filed Feb 25, 2000

VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED WITH DETACHED WIRING OF THE JACOB BRAKE WHICH WAS NON OPERATIONAL DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY. *MJS

NHTSA ID
551093

Manufacturer communications

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

SF191A

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM

VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH WABCO AIR COMPRESSOR MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1999 AND JULY 2, 1999 HAVE EXPERIENCE AIR EXHAUSTING TO THE ATMOSPHERE INSTEAD OF GOING INTO THE AIR TANKS WHEN THE RELIEF VALVE OPENS. THE MODIFICATION CONSISTS OF INSTALLING A PRESSURE RELIFE VALVE OF 175 PSI. *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—
1999Viewing470—
1998070—
1997140—
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.