VehicleVerdict

1997 Freightliner FL60 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 1997 Freightliner FL60 carries two red flags at once: 0 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: DRIVELINE FASTENER FAILURE). It is one of the FL60 years to avoid.

0

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations · 1 open

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other FL60 years?

FL60 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted6 complaints1991: 0 complaints1992: 0 complaints1993: 3 complaints1994: 1 complaints1995: 0 complaints1996: 2 complaints1997: 0 complaints1998: 2 complaints1999: 0 complaints2000: 6 complaints
FL60 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all FL60 years to avoid →

Does the 1997 Freightliner FL60 have recalls?

2 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.

99V085000BrakesApril 20, 1999 · 1,935 units

Defect

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.

Open NHTSA investigations

RQ99009

DRIVELINE FASTENER FAILURE

ON APRIL 13, 1999, FREIGHTLINER FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT RECEIVED ON (APRIL 20, 1999) FOAPPROXIMATELY 1,200 FL-50, FL-60, AND FL-70 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH DRIVELINE PARKING BRAKES AND MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1, 1997, THROUGH MAY 31, 1998.THE FASTENERS CONNECTING THE TRANSMISSION COMPANION FLANGE TO THE PARK BRAKE DRUM AND DRIVELINE CAN LOOSEN.CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE CAN RESULT IN FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE FASTENERS ALLOWING THE DRIVELINE TO SEPARATE.DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FASTENERS FOR PROPER TORQUE.IF THE FASTENERS ARE FOUND LOOSE THEY WILL BE REPLACED.IF THE FASTENERS ARE FOUND PROPERLY TORQUED, THE NUTS WILL BE REMOVED, PERMALOCK APPLIED AND THE NUTS RE-INSTALLED AND TORQUED TO SPECIFICATION.FREIGHTLINER'S IDENTIFICATION NUMBER FOR THIS RECALL IS FL-230. FREIGHTLINER NOTES THAT ...THE BEGINNING AND ENDING DATES WERE DETERMINED BY THE INCIDENCE CLAIMS, HOWEVER, ONLY ONE REPORT WAS REFERENCED IN THE DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT. FREIGHTLINER INVESTIGATED THE DEFECT BEGINNING IN SEPTEMBER 1998, WHEN FREIGHTLINER RECEIVED A REPORT OF COMPANION FLANGE FASTENERS LOOSENING AND IN SOME CASES SHEARING OFF.IN DECEMBER 1998, AN AUDIT OF THE ASSEMBLY PLANT FOUND THAT THE COMPANION FLANGE FASTENERS WERE IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED IN THAT THE FASTENERS WERE UNDER TORQUED AND NO PERMALOCK WAS APPLIED. ON MARCH 23, 1999, FREIGHTLINER DECIDED TO CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL. THE PURPOSE OF THIS RQ IS TO INVESTIGATE THE SCOPE, CHRONOLOGY, AND THE TIMELINESS OF FREIGHTLINER'S ACTIONS.

1997 Freightliner FL60 — common questions

Is the 1997 Freightliner FL60 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 0 complaints put the 1997 model at #6 of 10 FL60 years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the FL60 years to avoid.

Does the 1997 Freightliner FL60 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Freightliner FL60. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1997 Freightliner FL60 under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (DRIVELINE FASTENER FAILURE). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Freightliner FL60 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the FL60 years to avoid are 1998, 1997. The cleanest record among FL60 years belongs to 1999.

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.