1998 FREIGHTLINER CENTURY

5 recalls, 21 complaints - 4 TSBs

03V112000 Mar 21, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB
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.
Consequence
SEIZURE OF THE BEARINGS CAN CAUSE WHEEL SEPARATION OR WHEEL END FIRE.
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... Read more
5,716 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION
00V232002 Aug 7, 2000
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
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... Read more
Consequence
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.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS ECU.
35,405 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION
99V359000 Dec 29, 1999
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
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.
Consequence
LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE ROD ENDS AND TUBE ASSEMBLY.
2,588 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION
99V295000 Oct 26, 1999
SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB
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.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL.
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.
2,976 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION
98V085000 Apr 21, 1998
SUSPENSION:FRONT
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... Read more
Consequence
IF THIS PROBLEM GOES UNDETECTED, THE INTERAXLE DRIVELINE CAN SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE U-JOINTS WITH THE CURRENT DESIGN U-JOINTS.
22,186 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION

Complaint Statistics

21 total complaints

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM2
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY2
STRUCTURE1
SEATS1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL1
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY1
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER Feb 17, 2005
Incident date: Feb 10, 2005
THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR IS JAMMED. THE CONSUMER MADE CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURE AND THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE FOR THIS BELT JAMMING. *NM
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Nov 20, 2003
Incident date: Nov 1, 2001
1998 CENTURY CLASS MODEL TRAILER EXPERIENCING MULTIPLE PROBLEMS.*MR THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT ONE OF THE U-JOINTS HAD GONE BAD, THE FLEX LINE HAD ROTTED AWAY WHICH CONNECTED TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH CAUSED A LEAK. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A POWER STEERING LEAK, ALSO THE AIR F... Read more
SUSPENSION Nov 20, 2003
Incident date: Nov 1, 2001
1998 CENTURY CLASS MODEL TRAILER EXPERIENCING MULTIPLE PROBLEMS.*MR THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT ONE OF THE U-JOINTS HAD GONE BAD, THE FLEX LINE HAD ROTTED AWAY WHICH CONNECTED TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH CAUSED A LEAK. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A POWER STEERING LEAK, ALSO THE AIR F... Read more
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM Nov 20, 2003
Incident date: Nov 1, 2001
1998 CENTURY CLASS MODEL TRAILER EXPERIENCING MULTIPLE PROBLEMS.*MR THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT ONE OF THE U-JOINTS HAD GONE BAD, THE FLEX LINE HAD ROTTED AWAY WHICH CONNECTED TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH CAUSED A LEAK. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A POWER STEERING LEAK, ALSO THE AIR F... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE Nov 20, 2003
Incident date: Nov 1, 2001
1998 CENTURY CLASS MODEL TRAILER EXPERIENCING MULTIPLE PROBLEMS.*MR THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT ONE OF THE U-JOINTS HAD GONE BAD, THE FLEX LINE HAD ROTTED AWAY WHICH CONNECTED TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH CAUSED A LEAK. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A POWER STEERING LEAK, ALSO THE AIR F... Read more
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY Dec 12, 2001
Incident date: Nov 1, 2001
CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES FIRMLY AND AXLE FELL OFF. VEHICLE IS A CENTURY CLASSIC, 2000. COSUMER MAY NOT BE AWARE OF NHTSA RECALL 99V35 9000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL F L-251 CONCERNING TIE ROD END. WILL TRY AND CONTACT CONSUMER TO INFORM SYSTEM WAS DOWN. *AK
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY Dec 12, 2001
Incident date: Nov 1, 2001
CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES FIRMLY AND AXLE FELL OFF. VEHICLE IS A CENTURY CLASSIC, 2000. COSUMER MAY NOT BE AWARE OF NHTSA RECALL 99V35 9000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL F L-251 CONCERNING TIE ROD END. WILL TRY AND CONTACT CONSUMER TO INFORM SYSTEM WAS DOWN. *AK
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY Nov 20, 2000
Incident date: Oct 26, 2000
CONSUMER FELT A VIBRATION IN THE DRIVETRAIN, THE DRIVESHAFT AND CONNECTING COMPONENTS CAME FLYING OUT FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE, THE YOKE ON THE BACK OF THE FRONT DRIVE AXLE WAS CRACKED AND CAME APART CAUSING ALL THE PARTS TO COME OFF, THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT IF THERE WERE GREASE FITTINGS ON THESE PART... Read more
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM Oct 29, 1999
INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKS FUEL. YH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM Oct 29, 1999
INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKS FUEL. YH
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER Oct 29, 1999
DRIVER SIDE WIPER ARM FELL OFF. YH
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER Oct 29, 1999
DRIVER SIDE WIPER ARM FELL OFF. YH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE Oct 29, 1999
INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKS FUEL. YH
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER Oct 29, 1999
DRIVER SIDE WIPER ARM FELL OFF. YH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE Oct 26, 1999
EXHAUST SYSTEM FLEX PIPE WITHIN THE TURBO CRACKED, ALLOWING EXHAUST LEAKS INTO THE CLEAN AIR AND FIREWALL, WHICH THEN WENT INTO THE AIR CONDITIONER AND INTO THE CAB OFTHE TRUCK. *AK
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER Jan 25, 1999
Incident date: Jan 23, 1999
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS KEEP BLOWING OFF THE TRUCK . THE DEALER RESPONSE WAS "THATS A PISS POOR WAY TO MAKE A WIPER" . THIS AS YOU KNOW DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEMS I HAVE 25 TRUCKS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS . MY CONCERN IS THAT WHEN IT BLOWS OFF IT WILL HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT . YOUR HELP ... Read more
STRUCTURE Oct 14, 1998
AIR LEAK AROUND FIFTH WHEEL.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL Oct 14, 1998
TURN SIGNAL LOOSE.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS Oct 14, 1998
Incident date: May 12, 1998
FUEL INJECTOR FAILED.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH Oct 14, 1998
DOORS POP OPEN ANY TIME, AT ONE TIME DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE.
SEATS Oct 14, 1998
AIR LEAK IN DRIVER'S SEAT.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1998 FREIGHTLINER CENTURY

4 manufacturer communications from 4 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

ComponentBulletins
060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
061110 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS1
015200 STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS1
070000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1
sb2057 Feb 26, 2018
070000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
sb2057 New Surge Tank Design
SF229A Mar 1, 2001
015200 STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
FIELD SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO MODIFY CERTAIN VEHICLES, MANUFACUTRED BETWEEN OCTOBER 3, 1997 AND AUGUST 18, 2000, THAT MAY DEVELOP SMALL PIN HOLE LEAKS IN THE POWER STEERING SUPPLY HOSE. *TT
SF174AB Mar 1, 1999
061110 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MAY 1, 1998 AND DECEMBER 7, 1998 MAY HAVE A QUADRAMOUNT TENSIONER INCORRECTLY INSTALLED WITH A LOCKWASHER INSTEAD OF THE PROPER FLATWASHER. *TT
985481 Jun 1, 1998
060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CONCERNS WITH THE HIGH COOLANT TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *TT

NHTSA Safety Investigations, FREIGHTLINER CENTURY

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

PE08009 Opened: Feb 1, 2008 , Closed: Jul 3, 2008
PE, Closed , Model Year: 2004
POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURES
ODI'S INVESTIGATION OF THE SUBJECT POWER STEERING PUMP HAS FOUND THAT, WITH OVER FIVE YEARS OF OPERATIONAL EXPOSURE, THERE HAVE BEEN NO PUMP FAILURES THAT RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE ROAD OR ANY SUDDEN DROP OFF IN THE POWER STEERING ASSIST AT A... Read more
EA07002 Opened: Jan 30, 2007 , Closed: Jul 12, 2007
EA, Closed , Model Year: 2006
STEERING COLUMN WELD CRACKS
AS A RESULT OF THE ODI INVESTIGATION, FREIGHTLINER HAS AGREED TO RECALL (NUMBER 07V-289) ALL OF THE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED WITH STEERING COLUMNS POTENTIALLY MISSING WELDS.THE RECALL REMEDY WILL INVOLVE INSPECTING THE RECALLED VEHICLES FOR MISSING WELDS AND IF FOUND REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN.EARLY W... Read more
PE06033 Opened: Aug 30, 2006 , Closed: Jan 30, 2007
PE, Closed , Model Year: 2004
STEERING COLUMN WELD CRACKS
EARLY WARNING AGGREGATE DATA SUBMITTED TO NHTSA BY FREIGHTLINER SUGGESTS THAT A STEERING (EWR CODE 01) PROBLEM EXISTS FOR THE 2004 AND 2005 CENTURY AND COLUMBIA CLASS VEHICLES.THE COUNT OF FIELD REPORTS SUBMITTED FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2006 WAS SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGE OF THE PREVIOUS... Read more
PE03005 Opened: Feb 7, 2003 , Closed: Aug 22, 2003
PE, Closed , Model Year: 1998
FRONT BRAKE AIR HOSE LEAKS
CERTAIN 1998-2001 FREIGHTLINER CENTURY AND COLUMBIA VEHICLES EXHIBIT A HIGHER RATE OF FRONT BRAKE AIR HOSE LEAKS THAN EARLIER VINTAGE FREIGHTLINER VEHICLES.THE LEAKS HAVE BEEN FREQUENTLY DISCOVERED AT FMCSA ROADSIDE INSPECTIONS SINCE THESE INSPECTIONS ARE CONDUCTED WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED (PRESSURIZ... Read more
PE02088 Opened: Nov 22, 2002 , Closed: May 1, 2003
PE, Closed , Model Year: 1996
INTEGRAL HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY
FREIGHTLINER SUBMITTED A DEFECT REPORT ON MARCH 21, 2003 IN WHICH THEY IDENTIFIED APPROXIMATELY 5000 TRUCKS AS POSSIBLY BEINGAFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM.ARVINMERITOR (FRONT AXLE MFR) SUBMITTED A DEFECT REPORT ONAPRIL 16, 2003, WHICH IDENTIFIES 6098 FREIGHTLINER TRUCKS ASBEING AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL AN... Read more

FREIGHTLINER CENTURY - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the FREIGHTLINER CENTURY across all model years (1995, 2013).

104 Total Recalls
76 Total Complaints
5 Investigations
0 Reported Crashes
2 Reported Fires
0 Reported Deaths

FREIGHTLINER CENTURY - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
2013 1 0 View
2012 2 0 View
2011 9 0 View
2010 11 0 View
2009 12 0 View
2008 9 1 View
2007 9 0 View
2006 8 8 View
2005 2 2 View
2004 3 2 View
2003 2 4 View
2002 1 0 View
2001 4 4 View
2000 6 19 View
1999 7 10 View
1998 (current) 5 21
1997 4 5 View
1996 7 0 View
1995 2 0 View

Other FREIGHTLINER Models

Model Recalls Complaints
BUSINESS CLASS M2 507 62 View
CASCADIA 497 398 View
114SD 349 8 View
SPRINTER 3500 312 31 View
SPRINTER 2500 291 64 View
108SD 212 3 View
SPRINTER 1500 212 0 View
SPRINTER 4500 210 2 View