VehicleVerdict

1997 Freightliner Business Class problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 3 complaints on file for the 1997 Freightliner Business Class — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 6 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

3

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Business Class years?

Business Class NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted7 complaints1991: 0 complaints1992: 0 complaints1993: 0 complaints1994: 0 complaints1995: 2 complaints1996: 0 complaints1997: 3 complaints1998: 0 complaints1999: 4 complaints2000: 1 complaints2001: 0 complaints2002: 0 complaints2003: 7 complaints
Business Class NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Business Class years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Freightliner Business Class problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes267%
Body & Structure133%

Does the 1997 Freightliner Business Class have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

03V246000Speed ControlJuly 10, 2003 · 62 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULES ON THE C8.3G AND L10G ENGINES, THE ECM DOES NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO DETECT A THROTTLE FAIL-SAFE ENGINE SHUTDOWN COMMAND. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNANTICIPATED, UNCOMMANDED OPEN THROTTLE CONDITION WITHOUT WARNING.

Consequence

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

Remedy

CUMMINS WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE ECM. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-800-343-7357 OR FREIGHTLINER AT 1-503-745-5219.

02V108001BrakesApril 10, 2002 · 548 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR BRAND 12" X 4" DCM DRUM PARKING BRAKE, THE BOLTS USED TO ATTACH THE PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY TO THE FLANGE YOKE ARE TOO LARGE AND CAN INTERFERE WITH THE PROPER ENGAGEMENT OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND POSSIBLY DISENGAGE.

Consequence

IMPROPER ENGAGEMENT OF THE PARKING BRAKE COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ATTACHING BOLTS WITH THE CORRECT SIZE BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 2002. 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.

00V357000BrakesNovember 3, 2000 · 105,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSH ROD THAT ACTIVATES THE SERVICE BRAKES COULD FRACTURE.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSH ROD.

00V232002BrakesAugust 7, 2000 · 35,405 units

Defect

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.

99V065000BrakesMarch 29, 1999 · 142 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A BENDIX ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). THE REAR AXLE ABS MODULATING VALVES MAY BE PLUMBED INCORRECTLY.

Consequence

THIS CAN CAUSE THE REAR AXLE SERVICE BRAKES, WHEN IN THE ABS MODE, TO NOT MODULATE AS INTENDED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR AXLE ABS MODULATING VALVE SUPPLY AND OUTLET PORT FOR CORRECT PLUMBING AND RE-PLUMB IF NECESSARY.

98V052000EngineMarch 4, 1998 · 8,485 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCK-TRACTORS EQUIPPED WITH 26" 8-BLADE METAL ENGINE COOLING FANS. THE FAN BLADES CAN FATIGUE CRACK AND EVENTUALLY SEPARATE FROM THE FAN.

Consequence

IF THE FAN BLADE BREAKS WHILE A PERSON WAS WORKING IN THE ENGINE, PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE FANS WITH FANS WHICH ARE MORE DURABLE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“LOSS OF HYDRAULIC BRAKE PADS, LOCKED UP CALIPERS, ACTUAL LOSS OF WHEEL CALIPERS WHEN BACKING UP, INCONSISTANT BRAKE WEAR, EQUALIZER WARNING SWITCH N/A FOR MASTER CYLINDER, DATE LISTED IS FIRST OCCURANCE, ALMOST WENT OVER STEEP 40 FOOT DROPOFF DUE TO SWITCH N/A IN MOUNTAINS ON SLICK ROAD. *NLM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 18, 1988

“REAR PASSENGER DOORS OF FREIGHTLINER "BUSINESS CLASS" TRUCK COME UNLATCHED AND OPEN UP DURING OPERATION DOWN THE ROAD. THERE ARE ALSO INCIDENTS OF THE TRUCKS PARKING AT CERTAIN ANGLES WHERE THE DOORS WILL NOT OPEN UP AT ALKL. THIS HAPPENS ON BOTH FL80 CHASSIED FIRE TRUCKS. CRACKS IN THE ROOF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 1, 2002

1997 Freightliner Business Class — common questions

Is the 1997 Freightliner Business Class reliable?

The record is thin — 3 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 6 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1997 Freightliner Business Class have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Freightliner Business Class. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1997 Freightliner Business Class under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.