1999 Freightliner FLN: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2000-01-18 (January 18, 2000)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. A HEAT SHIELD BETWEEN AN ABS (ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM) MODULATING VALVE AND A MUFFLER WAS OMITTED.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES IN EMERGENCY BRAKING SITUATIONS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEAT SHIELD BETWEEN THE ABS MODULATING VALVE AND THE MUFFLER.

Reported: 2000-05-22 (May 22, 2000)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN TRACTORS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE AIR LINES MAY NOT BE ROUTED PROPERLY TO THE DRIVE AXLE SERVICE BRAKE RELAY.

Consequence: THESE VEHICLES ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE STANDARD.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR CORRECT AIR LINE ROUTING AND REROUTE IF NECESSARY.

Reported: 2000-09-22 (September 22, 2000)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SHUTTLE BUSES, RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, UTILITY VANS, AND HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR WABCO PHASE 1, D-VERSION ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS), FAIL TO COMPLY TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." AN INTERNAL DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM IN THE ABS MAY NOT DETECT AN EXTREME WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AIR GAP. SUCH A CONDITION COULD POSSIBLY OCCUR DURING (1) ORIGINAL ASSEMBLY OR (2) SUBSEQUENT WHEEL END SERVICE.

Consequence: THE ABS FAULT LIGHT WILL NOT ACTIVATE AND THE ABS WILL NOT FUNCTION AT THIS WHEEL POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE THE ABS ECU OR THE ECU WILL BE REPROGRAMMED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 6, 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.

Reported: 2001-02-21 (February 21, 2001)

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.

Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE PARTIAL CONTROL OF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

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.

Reported: 2001-03-12 (March 12, 2001)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH HYDRAULIC BRAKES AND A DURAPARK PARK BRAKE SYSTEM MANUFACTURED BY ARVINMERITOR. AIR IS ENTERING THE HYDRAULIC REAR BRAKE CYLINDERS THROUGH AN UNKNOWN PATH AND THE REAR SELF-ADJUSTING BRAKES MAY NOT BE OPERATING PROPERLY.

Consequence: THIS RESULTS IN SPONGY OR SOFT FEEL TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND A LOSS OF REAR BRAKING CAPABILITY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE THE ABS ECU AND INSPECT THE BRAKE PEDAL FOR PROPER TRAVEL. IF EXCESSIVE TRAVEL IS DETECTED, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WILL BE BLED AND REAR BRAKES ADJUSTED. AS AN INTERIM MEASURE, FREIGHTLINER WILL NOTIFY ALL OWNERS TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLES INSPECTED TO ASSURE PROPER FUNCTION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS WILL INCLUDE ADJUSTING AND BLEEDING THE BRAKES. ALSO, OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED THAT ON A REGULAR BASIS THEY SHOULD DO SEVERAL HARD BRAKE APPLICATIONS WHILE STOPPED. THIS WILL EXERCISE THE SELF-ADJUSTING SYSTEM AND IF THEY OBSERVE A LOW OR SPONGY BRAKE PEDAL THEY WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE IN FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 21, 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.

Reported: 2001-09-17 (September 17, 2001)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRW TIE ROD ENDS ON CERTAIN MERITOR AXLES. THE TIE ROD AND DRAG LINK BALL STUD ENDS CONTAIN BEARINGS THAT ARE BELOW THE SPECIFIED CASE DEPTH AND/OR HARDNESS.

Consequence: THIS CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE WEAR WITH POSSIBLE SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE ALL AFFECTED TIE RODS AND DRAG LINKS WITH DIFFERENT DESIGNED ENDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 8, 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.

Reported: 1999-03-29 (March 29, 1999)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR AIR BRAKE AUTOMATIC SLACK ADJUSTERS. SOME OF THE AUTOMATIC SLACK ADJUSTERS HAD INSUFFICIENT TORQUE APPLIED TO THE GUIDE PAWL CAP SCREW.

Consequence: WITHOUT SUFFICIENT TORQUE ON THE GUIDE PAWL CAP SCREW, THE BRAKES COULD GRADUALLY LOSE ADJUSTMENT, INCREASING THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE TORQUE ON THE AUTOMATIC SLACK ADJUSTER GUIDE PAWL. IF THERE IS NO TORQUE, THE BRAKES WILL BE ADJUSTED AND THE GUIDE PAWL WILL BE TIGHTENED TO 15-20 FT. LBS.

Reported: 1999-06-09 (June 9, 1999)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH DUAL STEERING. THE STEERING COLUMN PINCH BOLTS MAY BE UNDER-TORQUED OR MISSING.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF THE REQUIRED FASTENERS, INSTALL FASTENERS IS MISSING, AND RETORQUE TO SPECIFICATIONS.

Reported: 1999-07-02 (July 2, 1999)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TUFTRAC SUSPENSIONS. THE REAR SUSPENSION AXLE CLAMPS CAN FRACTURE, ALLOWING THE REAR AXLE TO SHIFT.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW UPPER AND LOWER AXLE CLAMPS.

Reported: 1999-07-27 (July 27, 1999)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR ENGINES AND EATON AUTOSHIFT TRANSMISSIONS. THE ENGINES CAN STALL BECAUSE OF SOFTWARE PROBLEMS.

Consequence: INCREASED STEERING EFFORT CAN OCCUR.

Remedy: CATERPILLAR IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THIS RECALL. DEALERS WILL UPDATE THESE ENGINES WITH SOFTWARE CHANGES.

Reported: 1999-08-17 (August 17, 1999)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS WITH STEERING LINKAGES CONVERTED TO STAND-UP RIGHT-DRIVE BY FONTAINE MODIFICATION COMPANY. THESE VEHICLES HAVE A STEERING CROSS SHAFT THAT CONNECTS THE RIGHT SIDE STEERING COLUMN TO THE LEFT SIDE STEERING COLUMN, WITH A MITER BOX, AND U-JOINT AT EACH SIDE. THE CROSS SHAFT, MITER BOX SHAFT, AND U-JOINT HAVE KEYWAYS AND THE U-JOINT HAS A SET SCREW AT BOTH CONNECTIONS. THE KEYS CAN WORK LOOSE AND FALL OUT.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NUTS AND BOLTS THROUGH THE UNIVERSAL JOINT ENDS AND SHAFTS WHICH WILL CREATE A POSITIVE LOCK BETWEEN THE STEERING GEAR BOXES.

Reported: 1999-10-26 (October 26, 1999)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE OUTBOARD BEARING ON THE STEERING AXLE HUBS CAN FAIL DUE TO WATER INTRUSION THROUGH A HUBCAP VENT.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE HUBCAP AND INSPECT FOR WATER INTRUSION AND CORROSION. THE HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED IF THERE IS EVIDENCE OF CORROSION. A NON-VENTED HUBCAP WILL BE INSTALLED.