1996 Freightliner FREIGHTLINER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
2 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly 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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly: 1; Service Brakes, Air: 1; Structure:Body:Door: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 2 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 | 2 |
2003: 2
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly 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 10015254 · 2003-04-11 (April 11, 2003)
POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH DOOR SAFETY BOLTS. THE METAL DOOR FRAME AROUND THE NADER BOLT WAS FATIGUE AND CRACKED COMPLETELY THROUGH.*MR *TS *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10015254 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10027022 · 2003-07-07 (July 7, 2003)
1996 FREIGHTLINER EXPERIENCED A RADIATOR LEAK,THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE COMPRESSOR FAILED. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BEFORE PURCHASE THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN COMPLETELY RECONDITIONED AND INSPECTED PRIOR TO DELIVERY, BUT THE RADIATOR LEAKED (WHICH WASN'T A WARRANTED PART), THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND THE COMPRESSOR FAILED (NOT WARRANTED). IN RE; 2/1996 FREIGHTLINER FDL120 TRACTORS & S/N, THE SECOND VEHICLE'S VIN # [XXX] *SCC *JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 55…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10027022 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
96V124002 · Suspension
Reported: 1996-07-26 (July 26, 1996)
THE EQUALIZING BEAM SHAFT OF THE TANDEM AXLE SUSPENSION WERE MANUFACTURED FROM AS-ROLLED SAE4140 STEEL RATHER THAN THE SPECIFIED ANNEALED SAE4140. THESE SHAFTS CAN FRACTURE INSIDE THE BEAM AT THE TOE OF THE WELD.
Consequence: VEHICLES ARE SUBJECT TO VEHICLE TILT AND POSSIBLE ROLLOVER IN THE EVENT THAT BOTH EQUALIZING BEAMS, ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, EXPERIENCE A SIMULTANEOUS SHAFT FAILURE. AFFECTED SUSPENSIONS CAN ALSO DROP AND CONTACT THE ROAD SURFACE GENERATING SPARKS WHICH COULD IGNITE FLAMMABLE MATERIAL.
Remedy: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS BEING CONDUCTED BY NEWAY ANCHORLOK. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE ALL SUSPENSION SUSPENSION BEAMS WITH SUSPENSION BEAMS CONTAINING APPROPRIATE SHAFTS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗96V167000 · Steering:Column
Reported: 1996-09-19 (September 19, 1996)
THE FOUR FASTENERS THAT RETAIN THE OUTPUT SHAFT BEARING TO THE STEERING COLUMN TILT/TELESCOPING MECHANISM WAS NOT TORQUED PROPERLY.
Consequence: IF THESE FASTENERS BECOME LOOSE AND ALL FALL OUT, THE STEERING COLUMN DRIVELINE WILL DISCONNECT FROM THE TILT/TELESCOPING MECHANISM AND THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE WILL BE LOST.
Remedy: THE VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED FOR LOOSE FASTENERS AND RETORQUED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATIONS IF THE FASTENERS ARE LOOSE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗