1998 Freightliner Business Class Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jan 26, 2004 · 0 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Business Class years
Not enough data 6th of 9 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

NHTSA has received no owner complaints about the 1998 Freightliner Business Class so far. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

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1998 Freightliner Business Class recalls (5)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Suspension:front:hubMar 21, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V112000 · 5,716 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: Seizure of the bearings can cause wheel separation or wheel end fire.

Fix: 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.

Parking brake:conventional:mechanical:linkage and cableApr 10, 2002 · NHTSA campaign 02V108001 · 548 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: Improper engagement of the parking brake could result in the vehicle rolling away without prior warning possibly resulting in personal injury or death.

Fix: 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.

Service brakes, air:controls, pedals and linkagesNov 3, 2000 · NHTSA campaign 00V357000 · 105,000 vehicles

Problem: Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks. The brake pedal push rod that activates the service brakes could fracture.

Risk: This could result in a loss of braking control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the brake pedal push rod.

Service brakes, air:antilockAug 7, 2000 · NHTSA campaign 00V232002 · 35,405 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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.

Fix: Dealers will replace the abs ecu.

Service brakes, airMar 29, 1999 · NHTSA campaign 99V065000 · 142 vehicles

Problem: Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with a bendix anti-lock braking system (abs). The rear axle abs modulating valves may be plumbed incorrectly.

Risk: This can cause the rear axle service brakes, when in the abs mode, to not modulate as intended.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the rear axle abs modulating valve supply and outlet port for correct plumbing and re-plumb if necessary.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Abs corrosion extends stopping dist (EA02036) — opened Dec 11, 2002, closed Jan 26, 2004.

Other Freightliner Business Class years

← 1997 Business Class · 1999 Business Class →

See all Freightliner Business Class problems by year, every Freightliner model, or the VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Freightliner Business Class?

NHTSA has no owner complaints on file yet.

Was there a recall on the 1998 Freightliner Business Class?

Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 1998 Freightliner Business Class a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Business Class model years, the 1998 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.