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1998 Freightliner CenturyProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 9 owner complaints about the 1998 Freightliner Century, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls5Free fix at dealersOwner complaints90 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem3Engine and engine cooling

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 17, 2005. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 Freightliner Century has problems

9 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling30
Fuel system, gasoline20
Visibility20
Power train20
Steering20
Seat belts10
Seats10
Exterior lighting10
Structure10
2 other systems20

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

5 recalls

1998 Freightliner Century recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Service brakes, air: antilock

Recall 00V-232 · Aug 7, 2000 · 35,405 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE ABS ECU TO EXHAUST THE AIR AT THE AIR BRAKE MODULATORS FOR ONE OR MORE OF THE WHEELS.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 1 more recall
–no report yet

Suspension: front

Recall 98V-085 · Apr 21, 1998 · 22,186 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS PROBLEM GOES UNDETECTED, THE INTERAXLE DRIVELINE CAN SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Freightliner.

Best & worst years

1998 vs. every other Century year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Century median. How we score

'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1998 Freightliner Century, and the recalls they led to.

  1. INTEGRAL HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLYPE02088 · closed May 1, 2003
    Led to recall 03E-019
  2. FRONT BRAKE AIR HOSE LEAKSPE03005 · closed Aug 22, 2003
    No recall
In owners' words

What Century owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

1998 CENTURY CLASS MODEL TRAILER EXPERIENCING MULTIPLE PROBLEMS.*MR THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT ONE OF THE U-JOINTS HAD GONE BAD, THE FLEX LINE HAD ROTTED AWAY WHICH CONNECTED TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH CAUSED A LEAK. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A POWER STEERING LEAK, ALSO THE AIR…
Complaint 10048179 · Nov 5, 2003
EXHAUST SYSTEM FLEX PIPE WITHIN THE TURBO CRACKED, ALLOWING EXHAUST LEAKS INTO THE CLEAN AIR AND FIREWALL, WHICH THEN WENT INTO THE AIR CONDITIONER AND INTO THE CAB OFTHE TRUCK. *AK
Complaint 851802 · Oct 26, 1999

Own a 1998 Century?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.