VehicleVerdict

1999 Freightliner Xc problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 4 complaints on file for the 1999 Freightliner Xc — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 7 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

4

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Xc years?

Xc NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted4 complaints1996: 0 complaints1997: 3 complaints1998: 0 complaints1999: 4 complaints2000: 2 complaints2001: 0 complaints2004: 3 complaints2005: 1 complaints2006: 0 complaints2007: 0 complaints2008: 0 complaints
Xc NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Xc years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Freightliner Xc problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System125%
Steering125%
Tires & Wheels125%
Transmission125%

Does the 1999 Freightliner Xc have recalls?

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

01V115000Speed ControlApril 13, 2001 · 6,003 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: RECREATIONAL VEHICLE CHASSIS. A LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL (ENGINE WILL RETURN TO IDLE) COULD OCCUR WHEN THE EXHAUST BRAKE HAS BEEN ACTIVATED, THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, AND THE VEHICLE IS COMING TO A STOP.

Consequence

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

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 14, 2001. 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.

01V044002SteeringFebruary 21, 2001 · 16,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS, SCHOOL BUS AND MOTOR HOME CHASSIS, AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES MANUFACTURED BY TRW. THE SUSPECT TIE RODS CONTAIN 24-DL MODEL BALL SOCKETS. CERTAIN OF THE TIE ROD BALL-SOCKET BEARINGS HAVE A BELOW-SPECIFICATION CASE DEPTH AND/OR HARDNESS, WHICH CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE WEAR OF THE SOCKET.

Consequence

IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE PARTIAL CONTROL OF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE BALL SOCKETS AND/OR DRAG LINKS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 22, 2001. 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 OR TRW CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-866-280-3287.

00V230002Speed ControlSeptember 5, 2000 · 5,032 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CHASSIS BUILT WITH CATERPILLAR ENGINES AND EQUIPPED WITH FELSTED ELECTRONIC ACCELERATOR PEDALS. THE RETURN SPRINGS CAN BREAK ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDALS THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH STAINLESS STEEL OR ELECTROPLATED MUSIC WIRE RETURN SPRINGS.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE PEDAL TO GO TO FULL THROTTLE IF BOTH RETURN SPRINGS BREAK, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

REPLACEMENT ACCELERATOR PEDALS EQUIPPED WITH RETURN SPRINGS MANUFACTURED OF MUSIC WIRE WITH ONE ADDITIONAL COIL ON EACH SPRING AND WITH AN ORGANIC COATING, ELIMINATING ELECTROPLATING WILL BE INSTALLED.

00V248000Tires & WheelsAugust 29, 2000 · 3,400 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: RECREATIONAL VEHICLE CHASSIS. THE COMPONENTS THAT RETAIN THE REAR AXLE WHEEL COVERS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING INSTALLATION.

Consequence

THIS CAN RESULT IN A SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL COVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF PROPERTY DAMAGE TO FOLLOWING VEHICLES.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WHEEL COVERS WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN THAT HAS AN IMPROVED MEANS OF RETENTION.

00V247000BrakesAugust 29, 2000 · 524 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: RECREATIONAL VEHICLE CHASSIS. INTERFERENCE CAN OCCUR BETWEEN THE STEER AXLE SLACK ADJUSTERS AND THE AXLE KNUCKLE POST DURING A FULL WHEEL CUT WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED.

Consequence

THIS CAN RESULT IN DIMINISHED BRAKING EFFORT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SLACK ADJUSTERS WITH ONE THAT WILL PROVIDE CLEARANCE.

00V040000OtherFebruary 15, 2000 · 15,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOME CHASSIS. THE TIRE PRESSURE ON THE CERTIFICATION LABELS ARE INCORRECT FOR THE DESIGNATED GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF PART 567, "CERTIFICATION."

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN IMPROPER INFLATION OF THE TIRES FOR THE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING LISTED FOR THE CHASSIS.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE MAILED AN OVERLAY WITH THE CORRECT TIRE PRESSURE.

99V223000SteeringAugust 16, 1999 · 1,182 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORHOME CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH A SIDE MOUNT RADIATOR AND HYDRAULIC SYSTEM. THE FILTER GASKET FOR THE POWER STEERING HYDRAULIC FLUID CAN BLOW OUT DUE TO PRESSURE SPIKES IN THE SYSTEM.

Consequence

THIS CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID AND AN EVENTUAL LOSS OF POWER ASSIST TO THE STEERING IF THE LEAK IS UNDETECTED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL RECONFIGURE THE POWER STEERING HYDRAULIC SYSTEM TO ELIMINATE THE PRESSURE SPIKES.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“MICHELIN XRV 235/80R/22.5 TIRE ZIPPER RIPS BLOW OUTS 1ST ONE APRIL 27, 2003 INSIDE LEFT DUEL. 2ND ONE SEPT. 18, 2004 RIGHT FRONT. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · September 18, 2004

“THIS IS A RIGID FUEL LINE CONSISTING OF A BAJO FITTING AT ONE END AND A FLARE FITTING AT THE OTHER. THE BAJO FITTING IS MOUNTED TO THE INJECTION PUMP, WHICH HAS IT'S OWN VIBRATION PATTERN. THE FUEL LINE IS HARD MOUNTED AT APPROXIMATELY HALF IT'S LENGTH TO THE ENGINE BLOCK, WHICH HAS IT'S OWN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 2, 2000

“WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT, AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT BROKE, AND NEEDED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 16, 2004

1999 Freightliner Xc — common questions

Is the 1999 Freightliner Xc reliable?

The record is thin — 4 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 7 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1999 Freightliner Xc have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Freightliner Xc. 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.