1997 Freightliner BUSINESS CLASS: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
2 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
39,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Parking Brake is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 2 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 1 | 50.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Parking Brake | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
| Structure | 1 |
Parking Brake: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1; Structure: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 0 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 |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
2003: 1; 2006: 1
Pattern summary
Parking Brake leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10010528 · 2003-03-15 (March 15, 2003)
LOSS OF HYDRAULIC BRAKE PADS, LOCKED UP CALIPERS, ACTUAL LOSS OF WHEEL CALIPERS WHEN BACKING UP, INCONSISTANT BRAKE WEAR, EQUALIZER WARNING SWITCH N/A FOR MASTER CYLINDER, DATE LISTED IS FIRST OCCURANCE, ALMOST WENT OVER STEEP 40 FOOT DROPOFF DUE TO SWITCH N/A IN MOUNTAINS ON SLICK ROAD. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010528 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10165500 · 2006-08-15 (August 15, 2006)
REAR PASSENGER DOORS OF FREIGHTLINER "BUSINESS CLASS" TRUCK COME UNLATCHED AND OPEN UP DURING OPERATION DOWN THE ROAD. THERE ARE ALSO INCIDENTS OF THE TRUCKS PARKING AT CERTAIN ANGLES WHERE THE DOORS WILL NOT OPEN UP AT ALKL. THIS HAPPENS ON BOTH FL80 CHASSIED FIRE TRUCKS. CRACKS IN THE ROOF STRUCTURE HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED BY FREIGHTLINER AS A POSSIBLE ISSUE. WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IF THIS IS A FREIGHTLINER OR E1 PROBLEM. THE ISSUES HAVE BEEN GOING ON SINCE BOTH TRUCKS WAS 5 YEARS OLD. SEVERAL DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLIES HAVE BEEN PURCHA…
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10165500 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
00V232002 · Service Brakes, Air:Antilock
Reported: 2000-08-07 (August 7, 2000)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS AND SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS BUILT WITH BENDIX AIR ABS WITH AN EC-17 1030R ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU), THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS CAUSED BY 1) CHAFED ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WIRES ON ROTATING PARTS OR 2) A DAMAGED COMPONENT AT THE WHEEL END THAT GENERATES A CERTAIN TYPE OF ERRATIC SENSOR SIGNAL.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE ABS ECU TO EXHAUST THE AIR AT THE AIR BRAKE MODULATORS FOR ONE OR MORE OF THE WHEELS. THIS COULD RESULT IN EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCES AND A POSSIBLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS ECU.
NHTSA campaign record ↗00V357000 · Service Brakes, Air:Controls, Pedals And Linkages
Reported: 2000-11-03 (November 3, 2000)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSH ROD THAT ACTIVATES THE SERVICE BRAKES COULD FRACTURE.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSH ROD.
NHTSA campaign record ↗02V108001 · Parking Brake:Conventional:Mechanical:Linkage And Cable
Reported: 2002-04-10 (April 10, 2002)
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR BRAND 12" X 4" DCM DRUM PARKING BRAKE, THE BOLTS USED TO ATTACH THE PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY TO THE FLANGE YOKE ARE TOO LARGE AND CAN INTERFERE WITH THE PROPER ENGAGEMENT OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND POSSIBLY DISENGAGE.
Consequence: IMPROPER ENGAGEMENT OF THE PARKING BRAKE COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ATTACHING BOLTS WITH THE CORRECT SIZE BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 2002. 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗03V246000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 2003-07-10 (July 10, 2003)
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULES ON THE C8.3G AND L10G ENGINES, THE ECM DOES NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO DETECT A THROTTLE FAIL-SAFE ENGINE SHUTDOWN COMMAND. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNANTICIPATED, UNCOMMANDED OPEN THROTTLE CONDITION WITHOUT WARNING.
Consequence: IF THIS EVENT OCCURS, THE VEHICLE OPERATOR WILL NOT HAVE CONTROL OF THE ENGINE SPEED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: CUMMINS WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE ECM. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-800-343-7357 OR FREIGHTLINER AT 1-503-745-5219.
NHTSA campaign record ↗98V052000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan
Reported: 1998-03-04 (March 4, 1998)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCK-TRACTORS EQUIPPED WITH 26" 8-BLADE METAL ENGINE COOLING FANS. THE FAN BLADES CAN FATIGUE CRACK AND EVENTUALLY SEPARATE FROM THE FAN.
Consequence: IF THE FAN BLADE BREAKS WHILE A PERSON WAS WORKING IN THE ENGINE, PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE FANS WITH FANS WHICH ARE MORE DURABLE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V065000 · Service Brakes, Air
Reported: 1999-03-29 (March 29, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A BENDIX ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). THE REAR AXLE ABS MODULATING VALVES MAY BE PLUMBED INCORRECTLY.
Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE THE REAR AXLE SERVICE BRAKES, WHEN IN THE ABS MODE, TO NOT MODULATE AS INTENDED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR AXLE ABS MODULATING VALVE SUPPLY AND OUTLET PORT FOR CORRECT PLUMBING AND RE-PLUMB IF NECESSARY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗