Freightliner CONVENTIONAL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
66 owner complaints analyzed
16 distinct recall campaigns
302,847 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1975 to 2018 model years. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Tires is the most frequently named component, appearing in 23 of 66 complaints (34.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 10 | 15.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 6.1% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 6.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 6.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Tires | 23 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Wheels | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
Tires: 23; Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft: 6; Service Brakes, Air: 4; Unknown Or Other: 4; Wheels: 4; Electrical System: 3; Steering: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 2
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 63 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 2000 | 6 |
| 2001 | 7 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 11 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 8 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
1995: 1; 1996: 1; 2000: 6; 2001: 7; 2002: 6; 2003: 11; 2005: 5; 2006: 8; 2007: 5; 2008: 2; 2010: 5; 2011: 5; 2013: 1; 2017: 1; 2021: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Tires leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10155165 · 2006-03-30 (March 30, 2006)
FOIA REQUEST ALL RECORDS, RPTS , INVESTIGATIONS, PHOTO GRAPHS, STATEMENTS, AND OTHER THINGS/DOCUMENTS RE A 1984 FREIGHTLINER CONVENTIONAL FLC, MY 1997-2001 CONVENTIONAL FLC, 1992 MGS MODEL 6200 EXPLORER SPRAYER TRAILER. *TS THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING DOWN HILL WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKE TO SLOW FOR AN UPCOMING INTERSECTION. UPON DOING SO HE FOUND THAT THE BRAKES WERE FAILING AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PICKING UP SPEED. THE DRIVER REACHED THE INTERSECTION AND STEERED LEFT AROUND A STOPPED VEHICLE AND BEGAN TO SKID SIDEWAYS ACROSS THE ROA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10155165 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 561149 · 2001-03-10 (March 10, 2001)
THE TRAILERS AIRLINE BRAKES WERE NOT CONNECTED FROM THE TRACTOR TO THE TRAILER, INSPECTION OF THE TRAILER INDICATED THAT 4 OF 10 WERE WORKING AT THE TIME THE TRUCK CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 561149 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10201504 · 2007-08-28 (August 28, 2007)
1995 FREIGHTLINER CONVENTIONAL. LEFT FRONT INSIDE TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING DAMAGE TO ANOTHER VEHICLE. *KB WHEN THE TIRE BLEWOUT, IT KNOCKED THE BATTERY BOX COVER OFF THE TRUCK, WHICH STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10201504 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 564737 · 2002-03-15 (March 15, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER NOTICED A FIRE NEAR THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THE FIRE CHIEF STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM UNDER THE DASHBOARD, CONSUMER STATED HE HAD EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS STARTING THE VEHICLE BEFORE, OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 564737 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 563744 · 2001-10-22 (October 22, 2001)
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER FELT A BAD SHIMMY COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND WAS HIT IN THE HEAD WHEN A PORTABLE TV FELL ON HIM, WHEN VEHICLE WENT OFF HIGHWAY, IT STRUCK A GUARDRAIL, FENCE, UTILITY POLE, AND SEVERAL TREES, THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE LEFT FRONT TIRE HAD WORN ON THE INSIDE OF THE TREAD, CAUSING A SHIMMY, AFTER THE INCIDENT, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAD APPROXIMATELY A 6 INCH WIDE TEAR IN THE SIDEWALL AND WAS BROKEN LOOSE FROM BEADS OF THE RIM, POSSIBLE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 563744 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 554269 · 2000-09-01 (September 1, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING THE SHAFT COMING FROM THE STEERING GEAR BOX TO THE PITMAN ARM WAS SHEARED COMPLETELY OFF, DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN COLLISION. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *MJS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 554269 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10159487 · 2006-06-05 (June 5, 2006)
1993 FREIGHTLINER CONVENTIONAL DRIVE SHAFT BROKE AND RUPTURED THE RIGHT FUEL TANK. *TS *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10159487 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 882249 · 2001-03-06 (March 6, 2001)
FUEL TANK LEAKS WHERE SENDING UNIT ATTATCHES TO TANK.*AK THE TOP OF FUEL TANK WHERE FILLER TUBE MEETS THE TANK ALSO LEAKS. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 882249 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2007 | 0 |
| 2008 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 |
2002: 1; 2007: 0; 2008: 0; 2018: 0
Year-by-year records
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Change in recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 0 | 1 | Not available |
| 1976 | 0 | 2 | +1 |
| 1977 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 1978 | 0 | 1 | -1 |
| 1979 | 0 | 2 | +1 |
| 1982 | 0 | 2 | Not available |
| 1983 | 0 | 4 | +2 |
| 1984 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| 1985 | 0 | 7 | +3 |
| 1986 | 0 | 6 | -1 |
| 1987 | 0 | 4 | -2 |
| 1988 | 0 | 2 | -2 |
| 1989 | 1 | 0 | -2 |
| 1990 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1991 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1992 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1993 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 1994 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1995 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 1996 | 4 | 1 | +1 |
| 1997 | 4 | 0 | -1 |
| 1998 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 1999 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| 2000 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | 2 | 1 | +1 |
| 2007 | 4 | 0 | Not available |
| 2008 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 1 | 0 | Not available |