1999 Freightliner Fln Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1999 Freightliner Fln has 12 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 110,137 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

STEERING 01V140007 2001-09-17 75,000 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRW TIE ROD ENDS ON CERTAIN MERITOR AXLES. THE TIE ROD AND DRAG LINK BALL STUD ENDS CONTAIN BEARINGS THAT ARE BELOW THE SPECIFIED CASE DEPTH AND/OR HARDNESS.

Consequence

THIS CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE WEAR WITH POSSIBLE SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE ALL AFFECTED TIE RODS AND DRAG LINKS WITH DIFFERENT DESIGNED ENDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 8, 2001. 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…

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 01V085001 2001-03-12 1,350 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH HYDRAULIC BRAKES AND A DURAPARK PARK BRAKE SYSTEM MANUFACTURED BY ARVINMERITOR. AIR IS ENTERING THE HYDRAULIC REAR BRAKE CYLINDERS THROUGH AN UNKNOWN PATH AND THE REAR SELF-ADJUSTING BRAKES MAY NOT BE OPERATING PROPERLY.

Consequence

THIS RESULTS IN SPONGY OR SOFT FEEL TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND A LOSS OF REAR BRAKING CAPABILITY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE THE ABS ECU AND INSPECT THE BRAKE PEDAL FOR PROPER TRAVEL. IF EXCESSIVE TRAVEL IS DETECTED, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WILL BE BLED AND REAR BRAKES ADJUSTED. AS AN INTERIM MEASURE, FREIGHTLINER WILL NOTIFY ALL OWNERS TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLES INSPECTED TO ASSURE PROPER FUNCTION OF THE BRAKE…

STEERING 01V044002 2001-02-21 16,000 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS, SCHOOL BUS AND MOTOR HOME CHASSIS, AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES MANUFACTURED BY TRW. THE SUSPECT TIE RODS CONTAIN 24-DL MODEL BALL SOCKETS. CERTAIN OF THE TIE ROD BALL-SOCKET BEARINGS HAVE A BELOW-SPECIFICATION CASE DEPTH AND/OR HARDNESS, WHICH CAN LEAD TO…

Consequence

IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE PARTIAL CONTROL OF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE BALL SOCKETS AND/OR DRAG LINKS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 22, 2001. 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 OR TRW CUSTOMER…

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR 00V279001 2000-09-22 13,008 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SHUTTLE BUSES, RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, UTILITY VANS, AND HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR WABCO PHASE 1, D-VERSION ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS), FAIL TO COMPLY TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." AN INTERNAL DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM IN THE ABS MAY NOT…

Consequence

THE ABS FAULT LIGHT WILL NOT ACTIVATE AND THE ABS WILL NOT FUNCTION AT THIS WHEEL POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE THE ABS ECU OR THE ECU WILL BE REPROGRAMMED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 6, 2001. 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.

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR 00V152001 2000-05-22 83 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN TRACTORS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE AIR LINES MAY NOT BE ROUTED PROPERLY TO THE DRIVE AXLE SERVICE BRAKE RELAY.

Consequence

THESE VEHICLES ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE STANDARD.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR CORRECT AIR LINE ROUTING AND REROUTE IF NECESSARY.

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR 00V013000 2000-01-18 21 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. A HEAT SHIELD BETWEEN AN ABS (ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM) MODULATING VALVE AND A MUFFLER WAS OMITTED.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES IN EMERGENCY BRAKING SITUATIONS.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEAT SHIELD BETWEEN THE ABS MODULATING VALVE AND THE MUFFLER.

SUSPENSION 99V295000 1999-10-26 2,976 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE OUTBOARD BEARING ON THE STEERING AXLE HUBS CAN FAIL DUE TO WATER INTRUSION THROUGH A HUBCAP VENT.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE HUBCAP AND INSPECT FOR WATER INTRUSION AND CORROSION. THE HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED IF THERE IS EVIDENCE OF CORROSION. A NON-VENTED HUBCAP WILL BE INSTALLED.

STEERING 99V224000 1999-08-17 224 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS WITH STEERING LINKAGES CONVERTED TO STAND-UP RIGHT-DRIVE BY FONTAINE MODIFICATION COMPANY. THESE VEHICLES HAVE A STEERING CROSS SHAFT THAT CONNECTS THE RIGHT SIDE STEERING COLUMN TO THE LEFT SIDE STEERING COLUMN, WITH A MITER BOX, AND U-JOINT AT EACH SIDE. THE CROSS SHAFT, MITER BOX…

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL NUTS AND BOLTS THROUGH THE UNIVERSAL JOINT ENDS AND SHAFTS WHICH WILL CREATE A POSITIVE LOCK BETWEEN THE STEERING GEAR BOXES.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 99V181002 1999-07-27 320 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR ENGINES AND EATON AUTOSHIFT TRANSMISSIONS. THE ENGINES CAN STALL BECAUSE OF SOFTWARE PROBLEMS.

Consequence

INCREASED STEERING EFFORT CAN OCCUR.

Remedy

CATERPILLAR IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THIS RECALL. DEALERS WILL UPDATE THESE ENGINES WITH SOFTWARE CHANGES.

SUSPENSION 99V172000 1999-07-02 204 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TUFTRAC SUSPENSIONS. THE REAR SUSPENSION AXLE CLAMPS CAN FRACTURE, ALLOWING THE REAR AXLE TO SHIFT.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW UPPER AND LOWER AXLE CLAMPS.

STEERING 99V143000 1999-06-09 666 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH DUAL STEERING. THE STEERING COLUMN PINCH BOLTS MAY BE UNDER-TORQUED OR MISSING.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF THE REQUIRED FASTENERS, INSTALL FASTENERS IS MISSING, AND RETORQUE TO SPECIFICATIONS.

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR 99V055002 1999-03-29 285 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR AIR BRAKE AUTOMATIC SLACK ADJUSTERS. SOME OF THE AUTOMATIC SLACK ADJUSTERS HAD INSUFFICIENT TORQUE APPLIED TO THE GUIDE PAWL CAP SCREW.

Consequence

WITHOUT SUFFICIENT TORQUE ON THE GUIDE PAWL CAP SCREW, THE BRAKES COULD GRADUALLY LOSE ADJUSTMENT, INCREASING THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL CHECK THE TORQUE ON THE AUTOMATIC SLACK ADJUSTER GUIDE PAWL. IF THERE IS NO TORQUE, THE BRAKES WILL BE ADJUSTED AND THE GUIDE PAWL WILL BE TIGHTENED TO 15-20 FT. LBS.

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 1999 Freightliner Fln as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.