- The problem
- Certain heavy duty trucks converted from sleepercabs to day cabs and equipped with a detroit diesel optimized idle system. The idle system was not completely disabled in the cab conversion process.
- The risk
- This can result in unintentional engine starting, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will completely disable the optimized idle system. Owner notification began april 3, 2002. 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 1-800-547-0712.
Vehicle safety record
1997 Freightliner FLD Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1997 Freightliner FLD have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in March 2002 for the vehicle speed control.
NHTSA data checked
AFar fewer problems than a typical FLD year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1997 Freightliner FLD recalls 2
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
- 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 the wheel end that generates a certain type of erratic sensor signal.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS ECU.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1997 Freightliner FLD 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 FLD: every year compared
All FLD years1997 Freightliner FLD vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 Freightliner FLD | 0 | 2 | A | |
| 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 FLD
Does the 1997 Freightliner FLD have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 1997 Freightliner FLD: vehicle speed control (March 2002); antilock (August 2000). 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 FLD had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1997 Freightliner FLD a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 78 out of 100 (grade A: far fewer problems than a typical Freightliner FLD 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 FLD years have the most complaints?
1998 (2), 1996 (1), 2001 (1). See every Freightliner FLD year compared.
What should I do if my 1997 Freightliner FLD 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