The 1997 Freightliner Freightliner has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 5,275 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCK/TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH A HYDRAULIC PARKING BRAKE. A CASTING ERROR IN THE HYDRAULIC PARKING BRAKE RELAY VALVE CAUSES EXCESSIVE PRESSURE IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM WHICH CAN RESULT IN A HYDRAULIC HOSE SEPARATION.
IF THIS OCCURS, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WILL BE LOST AND THE BRAKES WILL BE OPERATING FROM THE BACK-UP SYSTEM.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A CHECK VALVE MODIFICATION KIT TO REDUCE THE SYSTEM PRESSURE.
THE FOUR FASTENERS THAT RETAIN THE OUTPUT SHAFT BEARING TO THE STEERING COLUMN TILT/TELESCOPING MECHANISM WAS NOT TORQUED PROPERLY.
IF THESE FASTENERS BECOME LOOSE AND ALL FALL OUT, THE STEERING COLUMN DRIVELINE WILL DISCONNECT FROM THE TILT/TELESCOPING MECHANISM AND THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE WILL BE LOST.
THE VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED FOR LOOSE FASTENERS AND RETORQUED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATIONS IF THE FASTENERS ARE LOOSE.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 freightliner trade wind (na). The contact noticed that the speedometer on the instrument panel was inoperative. He took the vehicle to the dealer and they replaced the speed sensor. Shortly after the repair, the failure resurfaced. The failure and current mileages were…”
“Seat and armrest broke on two occasions.”
“Brake pad on fan clutch broken, surface came apart.”
“Air conditioner bracket loose, bolts broken and missing.”
“Engine coolant leak.”
“Right side mirror failed.”
“Windshield and sun roof glass leaking water.”
“Windshield and sun roof glass leaking water.”
ODI INITIATED PE02-061 BASED ON TWO REPORTED INCIDENTS IN WHICH FREIGHTLINER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH INTEGRAL ABS TONE RINGS HAD EXPERIENCED INCREASED VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE.INTEGRAL TONE RINGS INCORPORATE THE ABS TONE RING INTO THE BRAKE ROTOR TO FORM A ONE-PIECE INTEGRATED COMONENT.FREIGHTLINER HAS IDENTIFIED 266…
FREIGHTLINER ISSUED A TECHNICLA SERVICE BULLETIN INITIATING A FIELD SERVICE MODIFICATION WHICH INVOLVES REPLACING THE OLD THROTTLE RETURN SPRINGS WITH A IMPROVED SET OF SPRING
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Freightliner Freightliner as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.