1998 Freightliner FS-65 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other FS-65 years
- Not enough data 5th of 9 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 4 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 1998 Freightliner FS-65. That ranks 5th out of 9 FS-65 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (1 complaints, 100%), typically at around 188,497 miles. Complaints mention 1 fire. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 1owner complaints
- 4safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1998 Freightliner FS-65 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1 | 100% | 188,497 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 100% | 188,497 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
1998 Freightliner FS-65 recalls (4)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Fuel system, diesel
Problem: Certain 1998-2003 my freightliner fs-65 school bus chassis and mb-45, mb-55, and xb shuttle bus chassis, and thomas built bus: mvp-er and mvp-ef school bus and non-school bus models equipped with cummins isb diesel engines and equipped with federal-mogal 12 and 24 volt fuel lift pumps. The fuel pump could fail to transfer fuel appropriately creating an engine stall condition.
Risk: Should the engine stall while the vehicle is in use, a possible vehicle crash could occur.
Fix: Cummins will notify the customers of freightliner and thomas built and replace the fuel lift pump free of charge. Owners may contact cummins at 1-800-diesels.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: On certain school buses chassis equipped with caterpillar engines and hydraulic brakes. A braided ground strap for the starter may rub on a steel chassis brake line potentially causing a fluid leak.
Risk: A brake fluid leak can reduce braking effectiveness and increase the stopping distance, which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the brake line and replace it, if necessary. The braided ground strap will be replaced with an insulated cable. The recall began on august 10, 2004. Owners may contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.
Vehicle speed control
Problem: On certain school bus chassis with cummins isb engines with mechanical throttle, the throttle cable can vibrate excessively and break near the end fitting that attaches to the engine linkage.
Risk: This can result in a loss of throttle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will remove and replace the throttle cable with a new design. Owner notification began on february 17, 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.
Service brakes, air:antilock
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.
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.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
North carolina public school bus located in mecklenburg county was in route with six children and a driver when the driver smelled smoke and saw the smoke coming from the area below the steering column. The driver stopped the bus in a safe area and immediately started evacuation procedures and…
Other Freightliner FS-65 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 FS-65 | 0 | 1 |
| 2005 FS-65 | 1 | 1 |
| 2002 FS-65 | 5 | 3 |
| 2001 FS-65 | 12 | 4 |
| 2000 FS-65 | 12 | 6 |
| 1999 FS-65 | 2 | 7 |
| 1998 | 1 | 4 |
| 1997 FS-65 | 0 | 3 |
| 1996 FS-65 | 0 | 2 |
See all Freightliner FS-65 problems by year, every Freightliner model, or the VIN decoder.
Similar Freightliner models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Freightliner FS-65?
Owners most often report electrical system, engine and engine cooling problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 1 complaint.
Was there a recall on the 1998 Freightliner FS-65?
Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1998 Freightliner FS-65 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other FS-65 model years, the 1998 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.