1985 Freightliner Conventional Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1985 Freightliner Conventional has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 10,543 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

STEERING 88V160000 1988-10-11 92 affected
Defect

STEERING ARM MAY FAIL IF USED ON EATON EFA12F4 FROM AXLE IN CONJUNCTION WITH ROSS HFB70 POWER STEERING GEAR.

Consequence

A FAILED STEERING GEAR ARM COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

INSTALL A NONADJUSTABLE 1500 PSI POWER STEERING PUMP PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE TO LIMIT STEERING ARM FORCES. REPLACE STEERING ARM WITH A DESIGN CAPABLE OF WITHSTANDING HIGHER FORCES. ADJUST MAXIMUM POPPET VALVE SETTINGS TO 500 PSI AND ADJUST AXLE STOPS.

SEAT BELTS 87V192000 1987-12-18 180 affected
Defect

FASTENER THAT CONNECTS THE HARNESS BELT D RING TO THE B PILLAR MAY NOT BE LONG ENOUGH TO PROVIDE FULL THREAD ENGAGEMENT WITH THE ANCHORAGE WELD NUT.

Consequence

SEAT BELTS COULD FAIL AND NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECT THEOCCUPANT.

Remedy

REPLACE MOUNTING HARDWARE WITH HEX SHOULDER BOLT AND .55 INCH SPACER.

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR 87V147000 1987-09-15 41 affected
Defect

INCORRECT SIZE AIR BRAKE ACTUATOR CHAMBERS WERE INSTALLED ON THE DRIVE AXLES.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE.

Remedy

REPLACE DRIVE AXLE BRAKE CHAMBERS WITH CORRECT SIZE CHAMBERS.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 87V020000 1987-02-19 3,250 affected
Defect

UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT CAN DEVELOP.

Consequence

SHORT CIRCUIT COULD RESULT IN TRUCKS CATCHING FIRE.

Remedy

REPLACE EXISTING PICTURE FRAME TYPE BATTERY RETAINER WITH AN I FRAME RETAINER AND INSTALL CONVOLUTED TUBING OVER POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE.

SEAT BELTS 86V137000 1986-10-20 102 affected
Defect

SEAT BELTS CAN LOOSEN AS THE TRUCK IS DRIVEN. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: DRIVER AND PASSENGER WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED IN EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR CRASH.

Remedy

REPLACE THE NON LOCKING RETRACTOR SEAT BELTS WITH AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR SEAT BELTS.

STRUCTURE 86V118000 1986-08-26 6,800 affected
Defect

THE HANDHOLD MOUNTING SYSTEM, WHICH CONSISTS OF A TUBULAR HANDLE HELD IN THREE PLACES BY CAST ALUMINUM BRACKETS AND ATTACHED TO THE ENGINE EXHAUST MUFFLER HEAT SHIELD. VIBRATION FROM THIS SYSTEM CAUSES THE HANDHOLD PARTS TO WEAR. …

Remedy

REPLACE THE END BRACKETS WITH A MODIFIED DESIGN UTILIZING A RUBBER ISOLATER. ALSO, ADD A PLASTIC SLEEVE TO THE CENTER BRACKET FOR ISOLATION.

STEERING 86V106000 1986-08-05 78 affected
Defect

STEERING COLUMN MOUNTING BOLTS MAY BE ABSENT, LEAVING ONLY THE KNEE PAD TO HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN IN PLACE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, KNEE PAD ATTACHING BOLTS MAY NOT BE…

Remedy

INSTALL CLAMPS AND BOLTS, IF MISSING, OR CHECK EXISTING BOLTS FOR TIGHTNESS.

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1985 Freightliner Conventional as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.