1998 Freightliner FLN Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Problem: 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.

Risk: This results in spongy or soft feel to the brake pedal and a loss of rear braking capability.

Fix: 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.

Problem: Vehicle description: heavy trucks built with air brakes that did not have air gauges installed. This does not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 121, "air brake systems."

Risk: These vehicles are not in compliance with the standard.

Fix: Dealers will install a new dual needle air pressure gauge.

Problem: 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.

Risk: These vehicles are not in compliance with the standard.

Fix: Dealers will inspect for correct air line routing and reroute if necessary.

Problem: Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks. The outboard bearing on the steering axle hubs can fail due to water intrusion through a hubcap vent.

Risk: This condition can result in a separation of the wheel.

Fix: 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.

Problem: 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.

Risk: This condition can result in a loss of steering on the right hand side.

Fix: Dealers will install nuts and bolts through the universal joint ends and shafts which will create a positive lock between the steering gear boxes.

Problem: Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with caterpillar engines and eaton autoshift transmissions. The engines can stall because of software problems.

Risk: Increased steering effort can occur.

Fix: Caterpillar is conducting the owner notification and remedy of this recall. Dealers will update these engines with software changes.

Problem: Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with dual steering. The steering column pinch bolts may be under-torqued or missing.

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

Fix: Dealers will inspect for the presence of the required fasteners, install fasteners is missing, and retorque to specifications.

Problem: Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks. The door hinge fasteners contain a defect which could cause a failure to comply with the loading requirements of fmvss no. 206, "door locks and door retention components."

Risk: In the event of a crash, the door hinge may not perform as required by the standard.

Fix: Dealers will replace the door hinge fasteners.