- The problem
- On certain school buses chassis equipped with caterpillar engines and hydraulic brakes. A braided ground strap for the starter may rub on a steel chassis brake line potentially causing a fluid leak.
- The risk
- A brake fluid leak can reduce braking effectiveness and increase the stopping distance, which could result in a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect the brake line and replace it, if necessary. The braided ground strap will be replaced with an insulated cable. The recall began on august 10, 2004. Owners may contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.
Vehicle safety record
1997 Freightliner FS-65 Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1997 Freightliner FS-65 have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in July 2004 for the hoses, lines / piping, and fittings.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical FS-65 year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1997 Freightliner FS-65 recalls 3
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
- On certain school bus chassis with cummins isb engines with mechanical throttle, the throttle cable can vibrate excessively and break near the end fitting that attaches to the engine linkage.
- The risk
- This can result in a loss of throttle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will remove and replace the throttle cable with a new design. Owner notification began on february 17, 2003. 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.
- 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 FS-65 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 FS-65: every year compared
All FS-65 years1997 Freightliner FS-65 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 Freightliner FS-65 | 0 | 3 | 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 FS-65
Does the 1997 Freightliner FS-65 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 1997 Freightliner FS-65: hoses, lines / piping, and fittings (July 2004); vehicle speed control (September 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 FS-65 had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1997 Freightliner FS-65 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 50 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Freightliner FS-65 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 FS-65 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