Freightliner Freightliner Problems by Year
NHTSA has 111 owner complaints and 5 safety recalls on file for the Freightliner Freightliner, across 10 model years (1995–2004). The 1999 model year has the most complaints (29). The most reported problem area overall is service brakes, hydraulic.
Freightliner Freightliner years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Freightliner year: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 1999 Freightliner: 29 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2001 Freightliner: 28 complaints, 1 recall
- 2002 Freightliner: 14 complaints, 1 recall
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2003 Freightliner: 1 complaint, 1 recall
- 1995 Freightliner: 3 complaints, 2 recalls
- 1997 Freightliner: 3 complaints, 2 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Freightliner Freightliner problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 25 | 5 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 17 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension | 17 | 6 | 1 |
| Tires | 11 | 6 | 1 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 10 | 7 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 10 | 7 | 1 |
| Visibility | 9 | 5 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 8 | 4 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| Structure | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| Power Train | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Equipment | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Seats | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Wheels | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Freightliner Freightliner model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 Freightliner | 4 | 1 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2003 Freightliner | 1 | 1 | — | Equipment | |
| 2002 Freightliner | 14 | 1 | — | Visibility | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2001 Freightliner | 28 | 1 | — | Fuel System, Gasoline | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2000 Freightliner | 14 | 1 | — | Suspension | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1999 Freightliner | 29 | 0 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1998 Freightliner | 9 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1997 Freightliner | 3 | 2 | — | Electrical System | |
| 1996 Freightliner | 6 | 2 | — | Electrical System | |
| 1995 Freightliner | 3 | 2 | — | Service Brakes, Air |
More from Freightliner: all Freightliner models · VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Freightliner Freightliner years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 1999 (29), 2000 (14), 2001 (28), 2002 (14) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Freightliner year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Freightliner Freightliner?
Service Brakes, Hydraulic, with 25 complaints across 5 model years.
How many recalls does the Freightliner Freightliner have?
5 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.