VehicleVerdict

1997 Freightliner FL70 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 1997 Freightliner FL70 carries two red flags at once: 4 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: DRIVELINE FASTENER FAILURE). It is one of the FL70 years to avoid.

4

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations · 1 open

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other FL70 years?

FL70 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted25 complaints1991: 0 complaints1992: 0 complaints1993: 3 complaints1994: 3 complaints1995: 2 complaints1996: 4 complaints1997: 4 complaints1998: 25 complaints1999: 5 complaints2000: 5 complaints2002: 1 complaints
FL70 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all FL70 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Freightliner FL70 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Speed Control250%
Suspension125%
Tires & Wheels125%

Does the 1997 Freightliner FL70 have recalls?

3 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.

97V052000TransmissionApril 8, 1997 · 5,997 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VANS AND TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTIONAL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER THAT INCLUDES A PARK BRAKE POSITION. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER/PARK BRAKE LEVER CAN BIND BEFORE FULLY ENGAGING IN THE PARK BRAKE POSITION CAUSING A FALSE PARK CONDITION.

Consequence

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

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPACER PLATE IN THE SHIFTER AND INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF AN "E" CLIP THAT DETAINS THE DETENT PIN.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“1997 FREIGHTLINER FL70 TIRE BLEWOUT WHILE DRIVING. *TS THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE'S LEFT TIRE, LET HEADLIGHT, LEFT STEP, LEFT FENDER, LEFT DOOR, AND HOOD. *NM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · September 23, 2006

“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 filed with NHTSA · Suspension · July 23, 2003

1997 Freightliner FL70 — common questions

Is the 1997 Freightliner FL70 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 4 complaints put the 1997 model at #4 of 11 FL70 years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the FL70 years to avoid.

Does the 1997 Freightliner FL70 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Freightliner FL70. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1997 Freightliner FL70 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 FL70 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the FL70 years to avoid are 1998, 1997. The cleanest record among FL70 years belongs to 1992.

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.