Model year record

1998 FREIGHTLINER Century

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 21 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V112000

Suspension: front: hub

Component
Suspension: front: hub
Manufacturer
FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
5,716
Reported to NHTSA
2003-03-21
Owners notified
2003-09-20

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

SEIZURE OF THE BEARINGS CAN CAUSE WHEEL SEPARATION OR WHEEL END FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V232002

Service brakes, air: antilock

Component
Service brakes, air: antilock
Manufacturer
FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
35,405
Reported to NHTSA
2000-08-07
Owners notified
2000-08-29

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS ECU.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V359000

Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly

Component
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
Manufacturer
FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
2,588
Reported to NHTSA
1999-12-29
Owners notified
2000-05-08

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE ROD ENDS AND TUBE ASSEMBLY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V295000

Suspension: front: hub

Component
Suspension: front: hub
Manufacturer
FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
2,976
Reported to NHTSA
1999-10-26
Owners notified
1999-11-18

Defect description

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

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V085000

Suspension: front

Component
Suspension: front
Manufacturer
FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
22,186
Reported to NHTSA
1998-04-21
Owners notified
1998-07-13

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF THIS PROBLEM GOES UNDETECTED, THE INTERAXLE DRIVELINE CAN SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE U-JOINTS WITH THE CURRENT DESIGN U-JOINTS.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer4
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe3
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system2
Power train: axle assembly2
Exterior lighting: turn signal1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1
Seat belts: rear/other154,950 mi
Seats1
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1
Structure1
Suspension1
Unknown or other1

The 1997 model has 4 times as many complaints as this one. The 1999 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.