VehicleVerdict

1998 Freightliner Century problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 21 complaints on file for the 1998 Freightliner Century — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

21

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

2

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Century years?

Century NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted21 complaints1995: 0 complaints1996: 0 complaints1997: 5 complaints1998: 21 complaints1999: 10 complaints2000: 19 complaints2001: 4 complaints2002: 0 complaints2003: 4 complaints2004: 2 complaints2005: 2 complaints2006: 8 complaints2007: 0 complaints2008: 1 complaints2009: 0 complaints2010: 0 complaints2011: 0 complaints2012: 0 complaints2013: 0 complaints
Century NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Century years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Freightliner Century problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers419%
Fuel System314%
Engine314%
Transmission210%
Steering210%
Seat Belts15%
Seats15%
Body & Structure15%
Suspension15%
Lighting15%
Latches & Locks15%
Other15%

Does the 1998 Freightliner Century have recalls?

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

03V112000SuspensionMarch 21, 2003 · 5,716 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRUCK HUB UNITS MANUFACTURED BY SKF EXCLUSIVELY FOR USE ON ARVINMERITOR'S FF98X SERIES NON-DRIVE STEER AXLES, THE HUB UNIT BEARINGS CAN WEAR PREMATURELY.

Consequence

SEIZURE OF THE BEARINGS CAN CAUSE WHEEL SEPARATION OR WHEEL END FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT HUBS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 20, 2003. 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.

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.

99V359000SteeringDecember 29, 1999 · 2,588 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE TIE ROD ENDS CAN FRACTURE DUE TO LOW STRESS, HIGH CYCLE, REVERSED BENDING FATIGUE RESULTING FROM A SYSTEM RESONANCE.

Consequence

LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE ROD ENDS AND TUBE ASSEMBLY.

99V295000SuspensionOctober 26, 1999 · 2,976 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE OUTBOARD BEARING ON THE STEERING AXLE HUBS CAN FAIL DUE TO WATER INTRUSION THROUGH A HUBCAP VENT.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE HUBCAP AND INSPECT FOR WATER INTRUSION AND CORROSION. THE HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED IF THERE IS EVIDENCE OF CORROSION. A NON-VENTED HUBCAP WILL BE INSTALLED.

98V085000SuspensionApril 21, 1998 · 22,186 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR INTERAXLE DRIVELINE U-JOINTS. DEFLECTOR RINGS, A PART OF THE SYSTEM TO SEAL THE U-JOINTS FROM CONTAMINATES, ARE LOOSE. THIS ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER THE U-JOINT BEARING AREA RESULT IN DILUTION OF THE LUBRICANT, OXIDATION OF THE BEARING AND SEAL SURFACES, AND LOSS OF LUBRICANT.

Consequence

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

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE U-JOINTS WITH THE CURRENT DESIGN U-JOINTS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS KEEP BLOWING OFF THE TRUCK . THE DEALER RESPONSE WAS "THATS A PISS POOR WAY TO MAKE A WIPER" . THIS AS YOU KNOW DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEMS I HAVE 25 TRUCKS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS . MY CONCERN IS THAT WHEN IT BLOWS OFF IT WILL HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT . YOUR HELP…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · January 23, 1999

“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 filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 1, 2001

“CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES FIRMLY AND AXLE FELL OFF. VEHICLE IS A CENTURY CLASSIC, 2000. COSUMER MAY NOT BE AWARE OF NHTSA RECALL 99V35 9000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL F L-251 CONCERNING TIE ROD END. WILL TRY AND CONTACT CONSUMER TO INFORM SYSTEM WAS DOWN. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · November 1, 2001

“CONSUMER FELT A VIBRATION IN THE DRIVETRAIN, THE DRIVESHAFT AND CONNECTING COMPONENTS CAME FLYING OUT FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE, THE YOKE ON THE BACK OF THE FRONT DRIVE AXLE WAS CRACKED AND CAME APART CAUSING ALL THE PARTS TO COME OFF, THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT IF THERE WERE GREASE FITTINGS ON THESE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 26, 2000

1998 Freightliner Century — common questions

Is the 1998 Freightliner Century reliable?

The record is thin — 21 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1998 Century problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (4 complaints), fuel system (3 complaints), engine (3 complaints).

Does the 1998 Freightliner Century have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Freightliner Century. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1998 Freightliner Century under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations 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.