Freightliner Century 1998
Model Century made in 1998 by Freightliner got 21 consumer complains, 4 investigations there are 5 recalls as well as 3 service bulletins. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to engine and engine cooling, exterior lighting and fuel system, gasoline. Technical service bulletines regarding engine and engine cooling, steering. The car had some investigations: service brakes, air, wheels. There were some recalls concerningservice brakes, air, steering and suspension.
Model 1998
Recalls
| Campaign | Manufacturer | Manufacturing date | Type | # of units affected | Date Owner notified Mfg | Recall Initiated by | Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products | Report Recieved Date | Record Creation Date | Regulation Part Number | FMVSS Number | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - ANTILOCK | ||||||||||||||||
| 00V232002 | FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION | from 02/13/1998 to 08/03/2000 | V (Vehicle) | 35405 | 08/29/2000 | MFR | FREIGHTLINER LLC | 08/07/2000 | 08/09/2000 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | 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 Summary | 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. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Dealers will replace the abs ecu. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Owner notification began august 29, 2000, to school buses and emergency vehicle customers. owners of the remaining population were sent letters on september 9, 2000. 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.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236). | |||||||||||||||
| STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | ||||||||||||||||
| 99V359000 | FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION | from 03/26/1998 to 03/31/1999 | V (Vehicle) | 2588 | 05/08/2000 | MFR | FREIGHTLINER LLC | 12/29/1999 | 01/10/2000 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks. the tie rod ends can fracture due to low stress, high cycle, reversed bending fatigue resulting from a system resonance. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | Loss of steering control could occur, increasing the risk of a crash. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Dealers will replace the tie rod ends and tube assembly. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Freightliner recall no. fl-251.owner notification began may 8, 2000.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.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236). | |||||||||||||||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT | ||||||||||||||||
| 98V085000 | FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION | from 04/01/1996 to 03/31/1998 | V (Vehicle) | 22186 | 07/13/1998 | MFR | FREIGHTLINER LLC | 04/21/1998 | 04/28/1998 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with meritor interaxle driveline u-joints. deflector rings, a part of the system to seal the u-joints from contaminates, are loose. this allows water to enter the u-joint bearing area result in dilution of the lubricant, oxidation of the bearing and seal surfaces, and loss of lubricant. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | If this problem goes undetected, the interaxle driveline can separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Dealers will replace the u-joints with the current design u-joints. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Owner notification will be conducted in two phases.the first phase is expected to begin july 13, 1998. the second phase will begin august 8, 1998. 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.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236). | |||||||||||||||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - HUB | ||||||||||||||||
| 99V295000 | FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION | from 10/01/1998 to 10/18/1999 | V (Vehicle) | 2976 | 11/18/1999 | MFR | FREIGHTLINER LLC | 10/26/1999 | 10/29/1999 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks. the outboard bearing on the steering axle hubs can fail due to water intrusion through a hubcap vent. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | This condition can result in a separation of the wheel. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | 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. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Freightliner recall no. fl-246.owner notification began november 18, 1999. 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. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236). | |||||||||||||||
| 03V112000 | FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION | from 08/01/1998 to 02/28/2001 | V (Vehicle) | 5716 | 09/20/2003 | ODI | FREIGHTLINER LLC | 03/21/2003 | 03/26/2003 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | On certain trucks equipped with truck hub units manufactured by skf exclusively for use on arvinmeritor's ff98x series non-drive steer axles, the hub unit bearings can wear prematurely. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | Seizure of the bearings can cause wheel separation or wheel end fire. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Dealers will replace both front hubs. owner notification is expected to begin on or before september 20, 2003. 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. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Freightliner recall no. fl-407.customers can contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236). | |||||||||||||||
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | |||||
| 985481 | 06/01/1998 | 601552 | Concerns with the high coolant temperature warning light illuminated. *tt | 08/07/1998 | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE - BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS | |||||
| SF174AB | 03/01/1999 | 612071 | Vehicles manufactured between may 1, 1998 and december 7, 1998 may have a quadramount tensioner incorrectly installed with a lockwasher instead of the proper flatwasher. *tt | 06/05/2000 | |
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS | |||||
| SF229A | 03/01/2001 | 621719 | Field service campaign to modify certain vehicles, manufacutred between october 3, 1997 and august 18, 2000, that may develop small pin hole leaks in the power steering supply hose. *tt | 10/01/2001 | |
Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - SUPPLY - HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | ||||||
| PE03005 | FREIGHTLINER LLC | 02/07/2003 | 08/22/2003 | FRONT BRAKE AIR HOSE LEAKS | ||
| Certain 1998-2001 freightliner century and columbia vehicles exhibit a higher rate of front brake air hose leaks than earlier vintage freightliner vehicles.the leaks have been frequently discovered at fmcsa roadside inspections since these inspections are conducted with the brakes applied (pressurizing the air hose) whereas driver pre-trip inspections may not always be performed with the brakes applied. after a thorough technical review of this matter,odi has concuded that while the subject vehicles exhibit a higher rate of front brake air hose leaks than earlier vintage and peer vehicles, these leaks appear to be minor. freightliner has extended the warranty for this component to 5 years, 500,000 miles and will assist in alerting those vehicle owners whose vehicles are most susceptible to front brake air hose leakage by issuing a service bulletin alerting those owners to the potential for front brake air hose leakage to occur. see attached report for full technical details. | ||||||
| WHEELS | ||||||
| PE02088 | FREIGHTLINER LLC | 11/22/2002 | 05/01/2003 | INTEGRAL HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY | 03E019000 | |
| Freightliner submitted a defect report on march 21, 2003 in which they identified approximately 5000 trucks as possibly beingaffected by this problem.arvinmeritor (front axle mfr) submitted a defect report onapril 16, 2003, which identifies 6098 freightliner trucks asbeing affected by this recall and 1191 axles sold to freightliner in the aftermarket. odi notes that there are twointegral hub and bearing assemblies per front axle.freightliner identified vehicles includingfreightliner,sterling, and western star brand name as beingaffected by this recall.see attached summary report for additional details. | ||||||
| PE02088 | FREIGHTLINER LLC | 11/22/2002 | 05/01/2003 | INTEGRAL HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY | 03E026000 | |
| Freightliner submitted a defect report on march 21, 2003 in which they identified approximately 5000 trucks as possibly beingaffected by this problem.arvinmeritor (front axle mfr) submitted a defect report onapril 16, 2003, which identifies 6098 freightliner trucks asbeing affected by this recall and 1191 axles sold to freightliner in the aftermarket. odi notes that there are twointegral hub and bearing assemblies per front axle.freightliner identified vehicles includingfreightliner,sterling, and western star brand name as beingaffected by this recall.see attached summary report for additional details. | ||||||
| PE02088 | FREIGHTLINER LLC | 11/22/2002 | 05/01/2003 | INTEGRAL HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY | 03V112000 | |
| Freightliner submitted a defect report on march 21, 2003 in which they identified approximately 5000 trucks as possibly beingaffected by this problem.arvinmeritor (front axle mfr) submitted a defect report onapril 16, 2003, which identifies 6098 freightliner trucks asbeing affected by this recall and 1191 axles sold to freightliner in the aftermarket. odi notes that there are twointegral hub and bearing assemblies per front axle.freightliner identified vehicles includingfreightliner,sterling, and western star brand name as beingaffected by this recall.see attached summary report for additional details. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE | |||
| 11/01/2001 | 1 | ||
| 1998 century class model trailer experiencing multiple problems.*mr the manufacturer informed the consumer that one of the u-joints had gone bad, the flex line had rotted away which connected to the exhaust manifold which caused a leak. the vehicle experienced a power steering leak, also the air filter was replaced. the consumer was assigned another tractor, however it was a 2001 model and he soon discovered the fan blades were completely black and he had to tape a filter over the air intake. *jb *nlm | |||
| 1 | |||
| Intake manifold leaks fuel. yh | |||
| Exhaust system flex pipe within the turbo cracked, allowing exhaust leaks into the clean air and firewall, which then went into the air conditioner and into the cab ofthe truck. *ak | |||
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TURN SIGNAL | |||
| 1 | |||
| Turn signal loose. | |||
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - CARBURETOR SYSTEM | |||
| 1 | |||
| Intake manifold leaks fuel. yh | |||
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM - INJECTORS | |||
| 05/12/1998 | 1 | ||
| Fuel injector failed. | |||
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES - DOORS - LATCH | |||
| 1 | |||
| Doors pop open any time, at one time door would not open from inside. | |||
| OTHER | |||
| 11/01/2001 | 1 | ||
| 1998 century class model trailer experiencing multiple problems.*mr the manufacturer informed the consumer that one of the u-joints had gone bad, the flex line had rotted away which connected to the exhaust manifold which caused a leak. the vehicle experienced a power steering leak, also the air filter was replaced. the consumer was assigned another tractor, however it was a 2001 model and he soon discovered the fan blades were completely black and he had to tape a filter over the air intake. *jb *nlm | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY | |||
| 11/01/2001 | |||
| Consumer applied brakes firmly and axle fell off. vehicle is a century classic, 2000. cosumer may not be aware of nhtsa recall 99v35 9000/ manufacturer's recall f l-251 concerning tie rod end. will try and contact consumer to inform system was down. *ak | |||
| 10/26/2000 | 1 | 08/25/1999 | |
| Consumer felt a vibration in the drivetrain, the driveshaft and connecting components came flying out from under the vehicle, the yoke on the back of the front drive axle was cracked and came apart causing all the parts to come off, the consumer feels that if there were grease fittings on these parts the cracking would have been spotted when doing a grease job. | |||
| SEAT BELTS - REAR | |||
| 02/10/2005 | 54950 | 2 | |
| The rear passenger seat belt retractor is jammed. the consumer made contact with the manufacture and the warranty has expired. this is the second occurrence for this belt jamming. *nm | |||
| SEATS | |||
| 1 | |||
| Air leak in driver's seat. | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | |||
| 11/01/2001 | 1 | ||
| 1998 century class model trailer experiencing multiple problems.*mr the manufacturer informed the consumer that one of the u-joints had gone bad, the flex line had rotted away which connected to the exhaust manifold which caused a leak. the vehicle experienced a power steering leak, also the air filter was replaced. the consumer was assigned another tractor, however it was a 2001 model and he soon discovered the fan blades were completely black and he had to tape a filter over the air intake. *jb *nlm | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | |||
| 11/01/2001 | |||
| Consumer applied brakes firmly and axle fell off. vehicle is a century classic, 2000. cosumer may not be aware of nhtsa recall 99v35 9000/ manufacturer's recall f l-251 concerning tie rod end. will try and contact consumer to inform system was down. *ak | |||
| STRUCTURE | |||
| 1 | |||
| Air leak around fifth wheel. | |||
| SUSPENSION | |||
| 11/01/2001 | 1 | ||
| 1998 century class model trailer experiencing multiple problems.*mr the manufacturer informed the consumer that one of the u-joints had gone bad, the flex line had rotted away which connected to the exhaust manifold which caused a leak. the vehicle experienced a power steering leak, also the air filter was replaced. the consumer was assigned another tractor, however it was a 2001 model and he soon discovered the fan blades were completely black and he had to tape a filter over the air intake. *jb *nlm | |||
| VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | |||
| 1 | |||
| Driver side wiper arm fell off. yh | |||
| 01/23/1999 | 5 | 01/01/1998 | |
| The windshield wipers keep blowing off the truck . the dealer response was thats a piss poor way to make a wiper . this as you know did not fix the problems i have 25 trucks with the same problems . my concern is that when it blows off it will hit another vehicle and cause an accident . your help would greatly be appreciated. *ak | |||