1986 Freightliner Conventional recalls & complaints

1. Steering

What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. STEERING ARM MAY FAIL IF USED ON EATON EFA12F4 FROM AXLE IN CONJUNCTION WITH ROSS HFB70 POWER STEERING GEAR.

What could happen: A FAILED STEERING GEAR ARM COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND VEHICLE CRASH.

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1986 CONVENTIONAL.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 88V160000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

2. Electrical system

What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT CAN DEVELOP.

What could happen: SHORT CIRCUIT COULD RESULT IN TRUCKS CATCHING FIRE.

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

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1986 CONVENTIONAL.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V020000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

3. Brakes

What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. INCORRECT SIZE AIR BRAKE ACTUATOR CHAMBERS WERE INSTALLED ON THE DRIVE AXLES.

What could happen: THIS COULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE.

The fix: REPLACE DRIVE AXLE BRAKE CHAMBERS WITH CORRECT SIZE CHAMBERS.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1986 CONVENTIONAL.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V147000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

4. Seat belts

What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. 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.

What could happen: SEAT BELTS COULD FAIL AND NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECT THEOCCUPANT.

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

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1986 CONVENTIONAL.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V192000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

5. Body / structure

What's wrong, in plain English: Body panels, frame, doors, hood, trunk or latches. 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. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF THE PARTS WEAR THIN THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS THAT THE HANDHOLD MIGHT GIVE WAY UNDER THE WEIGHT OF A DRIVER. THIS COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.

What could happen:

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

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1986 CONVENTIONAL.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 86V118000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

6. Seat belts

What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. 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.

What could happen:

The fix: REPLACE THE NON LOCKING RETRACTOR SEAT BELTS WITH AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR SEAT BELTS.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1986 CONVENTIONAL.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 86V137000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (1).

Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.