- The problem
- Vehicle description: heady duty trucks equipped with 36" rear brake chambers. The brake system does not meet the air reservoir volume requirement of fmvss 121, "air brake systems."
- The risk
- Increased braking distance can occur increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE VEHICLES.
Vehicle safety record
1997 Freightliner FL-80 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 1997 Freightliner FL-80 with NHTSA, most often about the steering (1). It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in May 1998 for the reservoir / tank. For comparison, the 1996 has 0 and the 1998 has 0.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical FL-80 year, for its age
#338 most complained-about 1997 vehicle
- Complaints
- 1
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1997 Freightliner FL-80 problems
Share of all 1 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1997 Freightliner FL-80 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 FL-80 owner to share.
Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
1 complaints about the 1997 Freightliner FL-80
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Problem: ball stud & socket assembly separated. Review nhtsa #oov-246.001 Truck: 1997 freightliner, fl-80 - serial # [[redacted]] in-service date: may 9, 1997 - mileage 76,389 the state of connecticut, dept. Of trans., Has a large number of 1997 thru 1999 freightliner, fl-80 dump trucks, used for snow and ice removal. Cannot received the nhtsa bulletin #00v-246-001 pertaining to ball stud and socket assemblies coming apart. Freightliner sent only a few notices pertaining vehicles in our fleet. None of...
Read the full complaint
them included the large number of 1997 freightliner dump trucks. We were fortunate that the vehicle was at a low rate of speed, turning into a parking lot to stop. No damage or injuries reported. The failed ball and socket separated in the exact same way as noted in the freightliner bulletin #fl396ab or nhtsa #00v-246-001. Action request: extend or expand the recall of the trw ball & stud and socket assemblies to include other vehicles built using this ball & stud assembly. Time frame should be as soon as possible to make sure another ball stud & socket assembly does not fail and causes an injury or death. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6). *Tr
Freightliner FL-80: every year compared
All FL-80 years1997 Freightliner FL-80 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 Freightliner FL-80 | 1 | 1 | D | |
| 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 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-80
Does the 1997 Freightliner FL-80 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 1997 Freightliner FL-80: reservoir / tank (May 1998). 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 1997 Freightliner FL-80?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the steering (1).
How many complaints has the 1997 Freightliner FL-80 had?
1 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on February 18, 2003 and the latest on February 18, 2003. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1997 Freightliner FL-80 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 39 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Freightliner FL-80 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-80 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