VehicleVerdict

1998 Freightliner Fld problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 2 complaints on file for the 1998 Freightliner Fld — 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.

2

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Fld years?

Fld NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted2 complaints1986: 0 complaints1987: 0 complaints1988: 0 complaints1989: 0 complaints1990: 0 complaints1991: 0 complaints1992: 0 complaints1993: 0 complaints1994: 0 complaints1995: 0 complaints1996: 1 complaints1997: 1 complaints1998: 2 complaints1999: 1 complaints2000: 1 complaints2001: 1 complaints2004: 2 complaints2005: 1 complaints2006: 0 complaints2007: 0 complaints2008: 1 complaints2009: 0 complaints2010: 0 complaints2011: 0 complaints
Fld NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Fld years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Freightliner Fld problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission2100%

Does the 1998 Freightliner Fld 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.

02V077000Speed ControlMarch 20, 2002 · 97 units

Defect

CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS CONVERTED FROM SLEEPERCABS TO DAY CABS AND EQUIPPED WITH A DETROIT DIESEL OPTIMIZED IDLE SYSTEM. THE IDLE SYSTEM WAS NOT COMPLETELY DISABLED IN THE CAB CONVERSION PROCESS.

Consequence

THIS CAN RESULT IN UNINTENTIONAL ENGINE STARTING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL COMPLETELY DISABLE THE OPTIMIZED IDLE SYSTEM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 3, 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.

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.

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.

99V181002Electrical SystemJuly 27, 1999 · 320 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR ENGINES AND EATON AUTOSHIFT TRANSMISSIONS. THE ENGINES CAN STALL BECAUSE OF SOFTWARE PROBLEMS.

Consequence

INCREASED STEERING EFFORT CAN OCCUR.

Remedy

CATERPILLAR IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THIS RECALL. DEALERS WILL UPDATE THESE ENGINES WITH SOFTWARE CHANGES.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, HE NOTICED A VIBRATION, WHICH BECAME RAPIDLY SEVERE, CONSUMER THEN HEARD A NOISE AND THERE WAS ALSO A SMELL OF HOT OIL, THE SEMI LOST ALL POWER, CONSUMER COASTED TO A STOP, AND AFTER EXITING THE SEMI, CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE DRIVE SHAFT HAD BROKE OFF WHILE ON THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 16, 2002

1998 Freightliner Fld — common questions

Is the 1998 Freightliner Fld reliable?

The record is thin — 2 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1998 Freightliner Fld have recalls?

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

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.