VehicleVerdict

1998 Freightliner FL70 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 1998 Freightliner FL70 carries two red flags at once: 25 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 8.3× the FL70 norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: DRIVELINE FASTENER FAILURE). It is one of the FL70 years to avoid.

25

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

1

Investigations · 1 open

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other FL70 years?

FL70 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 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, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all FL70 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Freightliner FL70 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine1768%
Fuel System416%
Speed Control416%

Does the 1998 Freightliner FL70 have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TRUCK STALLS INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING AT ANY SPEED. TRUCK WITHIN A 2-YEAR PERIOD HAS BEEN BACK TO FACTORY, WHERE ENGINES WERE PUT IN 161 TIMES. FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED AS BEING THE PROBLEM. REMEDY DID NOT CORRECT REOCCURRING PROBLEM.*AK *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 1, 1998 · fire

“TRUCK WILL STALL INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, AT ANY SPEED. TRUCK WITHIN A 2-YEAR PERIOD HAS BEEN BACK TO FACTORY, WHERE ENGINES WERE PUT IN 161 TIMES. FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED AS BEING THE PROBLEM. REMEDY DID NOT CORRECT REOCCURRING PROBLEM.*AK *TT”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 1, 1998

1998 Freightliner FL70 — common questions

Is the 1998 Freightliner FL70 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 25 complaints put the 1998 model at #1 of 11 FL70 years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the FL70 years to avoid.

What are the most common 1998 FL70 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (17 complaints), fuel system (4 complaints), speed control (4 complaints).

Does the 1998 Freightliner FL70 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1998 Freightliner FL70. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1998 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.