1997 Freightliner Century recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
4 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. 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.
What could happen: 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 to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1997 CENTURY.
- Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 00V232002.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS ECU.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 29, 2000, TO SCHOOL BUSES AND EMERGENCY VEHICLE CUSTOMERS. OWNERS OF THE REMAINING POPULATION WERE SENT LETTERS ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2000. 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. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
2. Steering
What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCK. LEAKS THROUGH THE FIREWALL OR STEERING SHAFT BOOTS ALLOWS WATER TO RUN DOWN THE STEERING SHAFT. THE STEERING SHAFT SLIP SPLINE CORRODES CAUSING IT TO SEIZE.
What could happen: INCREASED STEERING EFFORT CAN RESULT INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFT WITH A NEW DESIGN THAT IS INSTALLED IN AN INVERTED ORIENTATION SO NO WATER CAN ENTER THE SPLINES.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1997 CENTURY.
- Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 97V112000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCK. LEAKS THROUGH THE FIREWALL OR STEERING SHAFT BOOTS ALLOWS WATER TO RUN DOWN THE STEERING SHAFT. THE STEERING SHAFT SLIP SPLINE CORRODES CAUSING IT TO SEIZE.
Consequence: INCREASED STEERING EFFORT CAN RESULT INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFT WITH A NEW DESIGN THAT IS INSTALLED IN AN INVERTED ORIENTATION SO NO WATER CAN ENTER THE SPLINES.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 30, 1997. 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 1-503-735-8682. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
3. Suspension
What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR INTERAXLE DRIVELINE U-JOINTS. DEFLECTOR RINGS, A PART OF THE SYSTEM TO SEAL THE U-JOINTS FROM CONTAMINATES, ARE LOOSE. THIS ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER THE U-JOINT BEARING AREA RESULT IN DILUTION OF THE LUBRICANT, OXIDATION OF THE BEARING AND SEAL SURFACES, AND LOSS OF LUBRICANT.
What could happen: IF THIS PROBLEM GOES UNDETECTED, THE INTERAXLE DRIVELINE CAN SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE U-JOINTS WITH THE CURRENT DESIGN U-JOINTS.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1997 CENTURY.
- Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 98V085000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR INTERAXLE DRIVELINE U-JOINTS. DEFLECTOR RINGS, A PART OF THE SYSTEM TO SEAL THE U-JOINTS FROM CONTAMINATES, ARE LOOSE. THIS ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER THE U-JOINT BEARING AREA RESULT IN DILUTION OF THE LUBRICANT, OXIDATION OF THE BEARING AND SEAL SURFACES, AND LOSS OF LUBRICANT.
Consequence: IF THIS PROBLEM GOES UNDETECTED, THE INTERAXLE DRIVELINE CAN SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE U-JOINTS WITH THE CURRENT DESIGN U-JOINTS.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE CONDUCTED IN TWO PHASES. THE FIRST PHASE IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN JULY 13, 1998. THE SECOND PHASE WILL BEGIN AUGUST 8, 1998. 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. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
4. Visibility (wipers / glass)
What's wrong, in plain English: You may not be able to see the road clearly. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONNECTING LINKAGE SOCKETS CAN WEAR OUT PREMATURELY DUE TO INSUFFICIENT GREASING DURING ASSEMBLY.
What could happen: THIS CAN LEAD TO A SEPARATION OF THE LINKAGE AND LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION, IMPAIRING THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONNECTING LINKAGES WITH NEW LINKS THAT ARE PROPERLY LUBRICATED.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1997 CENTURY.
- Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 98V326000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONNECTING LINKAGE SOCKETS CAN WEAR OUT PREMATURELY DUE TO INSUFFICIENT GREASING DURING ASSEMBLY.
Consequence: THIS CAN LEAD TO A SEPARATION OF THE LINKAGE AND LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION, IMPAIRING THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONNECTING LINKAGES WITH NEW LINKS THAT ARE PROPERLY LUBRICATED.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 20, 1999. 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. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Digital tire pressure gauge
- 1997 Freightliner Century owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Equipment (2), Engine (1), Suspension (1), Wheels / tires (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (5)
09/22/2006 · Engine
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 64 MPH, THE EXHAUST FUME CAME INTO THE CAB THROUGH THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM INTAKE. THERE WAS A SMELL OF FUME PRESENT WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED EITHER WHILE DRIVING OR WHEN IN AN IDLE POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE CLUMPS AND MANIFOLD HOSE WERE DEFECTIVE. T…
08/08/2002 · Suspension
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING REAR LEFT LEAF SEPARATED FROM WHEEL FRAME, RESULTING IN MAJOR DAMAGE TO TRUCK. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED; HOWEVER UNABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*AK
09/28/2001 · Equipment
CONTINUAL PROBLEM WITH THE AIR GUAGES BEING INACCURATE, THEY WILL NOT DROP TO ZERO WHEN AIR TANKS ARE DRAINED THEY STILL SHOW 15-20 LBS OF AIR PRESSURE THEY ARE OFF 10-20% WHEN AIR TANKS ARE FULL, CHP INSPECTIONS AT TERMINAL HAVE FOUND ALL AIR GUAGES INCLUDING THE GUAGE THAT WAS REPLACED TO BE INACCURATE.*JB
09/28/2001 · Equipment
CONTINUAL PROBLEM WITH THE AIR GUAGES BEING INACCURATE, THEY WILL NOT DROP TO ZERO WHEN AIR TANKS ARE DRAINED THEY STILL SHOW 15-20 LBS OF AIR PRESSURE THEY ARE OFF 10-20% WHEN AIR TANKS ARE FULL, CHP INSPECTIONS AT TERMINAL HAVE FOUND ALL AIR GUAGES INCLUDING THE GUAGE THAT WAS REPLACED TO BE INACCURATE.*JB
10/27/1998 · Wheels / tires
TIRE BLEW OUT ON SIDEWALL RESULTING IN VEHICLE ROLLOVER ACCIDENT.(BRIDGESTONE 295/75R/225).