- The problem
- The heater/air conditioner blower motor speed control resistors can under certain conditions overheat and stall.
- The risk
- This could result in low air flow across the resistornetwork and high amperage, allowing the air duct to reach elevated temperatureswith the possibility of a fire.
- The fix
- Install a thermo cutoff device in the heater/air conditioner system and/or replace the blower motor switch.
Vehicle safety record
1983 Freightliner Conventional Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1983 Freightliner Conventional have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 4 recalls, the latest in August 1988 for the air conditioner.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical Conventional year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1983 Freightliner Conventional recalls 4
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- Seat belts can loosen as the truck is driven. Consequence of defect: driver and passenger would not be properly restrained in event of a sudden stop or crash.
- The fix
- Replace the non locking retractor seat belts with automatic locking retractor seat belts.
- The problem
- The handhold mounting system, which consists of a tubular handle held in three places by cast aluminum brackets and attached to the engine exhaust muffler heat shield. Vibration from this system causes the handhold parts to wear. Consequence of defect: if the parts wear thin the possibility exists that the handhold might give way under the weight of a driver. This could result in personal injury.
- The fix
- Replace the end brackets with a modified design utilizing a rubber isolater. Also, add a plastic sleeve to the center bracket for isolation.
- The problem
- The pinch bolt installed on the steering gear component is of a smaller size than specified.
- The fix
- Dealer will replace the incorrectly sized pinch bolt with a properly sized one if necessary.
What owners say
Be the first Conventional owner to share.
Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
No complaints about the 1983 Freightliner Conventional yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Freightliner Conventional: every year compared
All Conventional yearsQuestions about the 1983 Freightliner Conventional
Does the 1983 Freightliner Conventional have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 1983 Freightliner Conventional: air conditioner (August 1988); retractor (October 1986); body (August 1986); steering wheel / handle bar (September 1983). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 1983 Freightliner Conventional had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1983 Freightliner Conventional a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 26 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Freightliner Conventional year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Freightliner Conventional years have the most complaints?
2000 (12), 1999 (11), 1995 (7). See every Freightliner Conventional year compared.
What should I do if my 1983 Freightliner Conventional has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data