- The problem
- Vehicle description: all vehicles equipped with eaton drive axles and axilok spindle nuts. The drive axle housings consist of a plate steel center section and two forged spindles, one of which is welded to each end of the center section. Each spindle contains a keyway slot in which the locking tab for the wheel bearing nut locking mechanism is inserted. The length of the keyway slot may not be long enough to accommodate the tab causing the tab to be deformed or damaged during installation.
- The risk
- This locking tab prevents the wheel bearing nut from loosening during vehicle operation. If this tab is deformed, the nut can loosen allowing the wheel to separate from the axle increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the drive axle housing nuts with a conventional wheel nut hardware system.
Vehicle safety record
1996 Freightliner Conventional Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 5 complaints about the 1996 Freightliner Conventional with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (2) and the wheels & tires (2). Those complaints describe 3 fires. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in November 1996 for the rear. For comparison, the 1995 has 7 and the 1997 has 5.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical Conventional year, for its age
#187 most complained-about 1996 vehicle
- Complaints
- 5
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1996 Freightliner Conventional problems
Share of all 5 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1996 Freightliner Conventional recalls 1
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
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
5 complaints about the 1996 Freightliner Conventional
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
1996 Freightliner conventionally drivetrain malfunctioned and broke off. *Ts the drivetrain landed in the road was struck by another vehicle. Possible undercarriage damage to both vehicles. The driveshaft had been changed about a month prior to its failure. *Nm
Dt: contact states the brake pads on a tractor trailer truck his former boss owns are rubbed down into the rivets of the hub. The tires do not have enough rubber on them and the motor is leaking oil. There are also no bc fire extinguishers on the truck. *Nm
While traveling, the consumer observed white smoke coming from the vehicle. The driver stopped and exited the vehicle, consumer saw fire on the area of the wheels. Consumer stated that upon putting out the intial fire, heard an explosion that sounded like a tire burst. Ohio traffic crash report (10-89-92) *yh *yh
While driving, consumer noticed a fire near the engine compartment, the fire chief stated that the fire was caused by an electrical problem under the dashboard, consumer stated he had experienced problems starting the vehicle before, ohio traffic crash report. *Slc
Wiring failure resulting in engine fire.(Ohio state police report).
Freightliner Conventional: every year compared
All Conventional years1996 Freightliner Conventional vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 Freightliner Conventional | 5 | 1 | F | |
| 1996 Freightliner FL-60 | 2 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 1996 Freightliner FL-70 | 2 | 2 | B | Compare |
| 1996 Freightliner FLD120 | 2 | 0 | D | Compare |
| 1996 Freightliner FLD | 1 | 5 | C | Compare |
| 1996 Freightliner Classic | 1 | 0 | B | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1996 Freightliner Conventional
Does the 1996 Freightliner Conventional have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 1996 Freightliner Conventional: rear (November 1996). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Freightliner Conventional?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (2), wheels & tires (2), engine & cooling (1).
How many complaints has the 1996 Freightliner Conventional had?
5 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on September 16, 1998 and the latest on December 1, 2006. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 3 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1996 Freightliner Conventional a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 22 out of 100 (grade F: far 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 1996 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