1997 Freightliner Fl-70 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Transmission / drivetrain
What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VANS AND TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTIONAL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER THAT INCLUDES A PARK BRAKE POSITION. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER/PARK BRAKE LEVER CAN BIND BEFORE FULLY ENGAGING IN THE PARK BRAKE POSITION CAUSING A FALSE PARK CONDITION.
What could happen: THE VEHICLE CAN MOVE AFTER BEING PLACED IN PARK INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPACER PLATE IN THE SHIFTER AND INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF AN "E" CLIP THAT DETAINS THE DETENT PIN.
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 FL-70.
- Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 97V052000.
- 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: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VANS AND TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTIONAL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER THAT INCLUDES A PARK BRAKE POSITION. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER/PARK BRAKE LEVER CAN BIND BEFORE FULLY ENGAGING IN THE PARK BRAKE POSITION CAUSING A FALSE PARK CONDITION.
Consequence: THE VEHICLE CAN MOVE AFTER BEING PLACED IN PARK INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPACER PLATE IN THE SHIFTER AND INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF AN "E" CLIP THAT DETAINS THE DETENT PIN.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN MAY 6, 1997. NOTE: 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 1-503-735-8662. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
2. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVELINE PARKING BRAKE. THE FASTENERS THAT CONNECT THE END OF TRANSMISSION COMPANION FLANGE TO THE PARK DRUM AND DRIVELINE MAY LOOSEN.
What could happen: IF THIS IS UNDETECTED, THE FASTENERS MAY FATIGUE AND EVENTUALLY SHEAR OFF ALLOWING THE DRIVELINE TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FLANGE FASTENERS FOR PROPER TORQUE AND REPLACE ANY FASTENERS FOUND LOOSE. IF THE FASTENERS ARE FOUND TO BE PROPERLY TORQUED, THEY WILL BE REMOVED, PERMALOCK WILL BE ADDED, AND THEN RETORQUED TO PROPER SPECIFICATIONS.
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 FL-70.
- Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 99V085000.
- 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: PARKING BRAKE:DRIVELINE
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVELINE PARKING BRAKE. THE FASTENERS THAT CONNECT THE END OF TRANSMISSION COMPANION FLANGE TO THE PARK DRUM AND DRIVELINE MAY LOOSEN.
Consequence: IF THIS IS UNDETECTED, THE FASTENERS MAY FATIGUE AND EVENTUALLY SHEAR OFF ALLOWING THE DRIVELINE TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FLANGE FASTENERS FOR PROPER TORQUE AND REPLACE ANY FASTENERS FOUND LOOSE. IF THE FASTENERS ARE FOUND TO BE PROPERLY TORQUED, THEY WILL BE REMOVED, PERMALOCK WILL BE ADDED, AND THEN RETORQUED TO PROPER SPECIFICATIONS.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 28, 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
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Vehicle Speed Control (2), Suspension (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (3)
07/25/2003 · Suspension
WHILE TRAVELING @ 54 MPH, LOOADED WITH 36 THOUSAND POUNDS OF SHELL TO A JOBSITE NORTHBOUND ON HWY 41 ON THE INSIDE LANE, WENT OVER THE RAILROAD TRACKS, AND DUE TO POOR DEPRESSION HUMP ON RAILROAD TRACKS CAUSED VEHICLE TO BLOW OUT AIRBAG AND PISTON WHICH REQUIRED REPAIR COSTING OUR COMPANY $415.02, AND A LOSS OF WORK TO OUR COMPANY COSTING US A TOTAL OF $99…
12/14/2000 · Vehicle Speed Control
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ACCELERATOR STICKS TO THE FLOOR DUE TO A FRAYED ACCELERATOR CABLE. *SLC
12/14/2000 · Vehicle Speed Control
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ACCELERATOR STICKS TO THE FLOOR DUE TO A FRAYED ACCELERATOR CABLE. *SLC