- The problem
- Vehicle description: trucks equipped with a driveline parking brake. The fasteners that connect the end of transmission companion flange to the park drum and driveline may loosen.
- The risk
- If this is undetected, the fasteners may fatigue and eventually shear off allowing the driveline to separate, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect the flange fasteners for proper torque and replace any fasteners found loose. If the fasteners are found to be properly torqued, they will be removed, permalock will be added, and then retorqued to proper specifications.
Vehicle safety record
1997 Freightliner FL-50 Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1997 Freightliner FL-50 have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in April 1999 for the driveline.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical FL-50 year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1997 Freightliner FL-50 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
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No complaints about the 1997 Freightliner FL-50 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 FL-50: every year compared
All FL-50 years1997 Freightliner FL-50 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 Freightliner FL-50 | 0 | 1 | C | |
| 1997 Freightliner Conventional | 5 | 0 | D | Compare |
| 1997 Freightliner Century | 4 | 4 | C | Compare |
| 1997 Freightliner Business Class | 2 | 6 | D | Compare |
| 1997 Freightliner FL-70 | 2 | 2 | B | Compare |
| 1997 Freightliner FL-80 | 1 | 1 | D | Compare |
| 1997 Freightliner FLC120 | 1 | 1 | - | Compare |
| 1997 Freightliner Cargo | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 1997 Freightliner FL70 | 1 | 1 | C | 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 1997 Freightliner FL-50
Does the 1997 Freightliner FL-50 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 1997 Freightliner FL-50: driveline (April 1999). 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 1997 Freightliner FL-50 had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1997 Freightliner FL-50 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 50 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Freightliner FL-50 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.
What should I do if my 1997 Freightliner FL-50 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