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1997 Freightliner FL-70Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 3 owner complaints about the 1997 Freightliner FL-70, most often about the suspension. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints30 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage198kSuspension, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 1, 2006. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Freightliner FL-70 has problems

3 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
Suspension10
Tires10
Vehicle speed control10

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

3 recalls

1997 Freightliner FL-70 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

Vehicle speed control

Recall 03V-246 · Jul 10, 2003 · 62 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS EVENT OCCURS, THE VEHICLE OPERATOR WILL NOT HAVE CONTROL OF THE ENGINE SPEED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Parking brake: driveline

Recall 99V-085 · Apr 20, 1999 · 1,935 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS IS UNDETECTED, THE FASTENERS MAY FATIGUE AND EVENTUALLY SHEAR OFF ALLOWING THE DRIVELINE TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Lever and linkage: column shift

Recall 97V-052 · Apr 8, 1997 · 5,997 vehicles

Risk. THE VEHICLE CAN MOVE AFTER BEING PLACED IN PARK INCREASING THE RISK OF A 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

1997 vs. every other FL-70 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 FL-70 median. How we score

'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'02
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1997 Freightliner FL-70, and the recalls they led to.

  1. DRIVELINE FASTENER FAILURERQ99009 · still open
    Led to recall 99V-085
In owners' words

What FL-70 owners report

Recent suspension complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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,…
Complaint 10029174 · Jul 25, 2003 · 198,069 miles

Own a 1997 FL-70?

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