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Freightliner Business Class recalls

There are 18 safety recalls on record for the Freightliner Business Class, covering 194,377 vehicles in total across all the models in each campaign. Newest first.

Freightliner Business Class recalls by model year

2003 12002 52001 62000 91999 51998 51997 61996 51995 41994 31993 21992 21991 2

All recalls

Suspension: front: wheel bearingReported June 7, 2004 · 9,602 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain trucks built with 8,000 or 6,000 pound front axles and four-piece spindle nut sets, premature front ,wheel bearing wear may be caused by inconsistent bearing endplay adjustment.
Risk
If allowed to progress, the front wheel assembly may separate from the vehicle, which could result in a crash.
Remedy
The dealers will replace the front axle oil seals and hub cap gaskets on both sides. The recall began september 7, 2004. Owners should contact freightliner at 1‑800‑547‑0712.

Recall number 04V272000 · Recall details

Vehicle speed controlReported July 10, 2003 · 62 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 03V246000 · Recall details

Trailer hitches: fifth wheel assemblyReported June 17, 2003 · 2,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain truck tractors equipped with jost international jsk 37u series fifth wheels, a fatigue crack can develop in the bracket pin weld under certain loading conditions.
Risk
If left undetected or corrected it could lead to the separation of the fifth wheel top plate from its mounting structure, possibly resulting in a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the bracket pins and repair instructions free of charge. Owner notification began november 12, 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 jost international at 616‑846‑7700 or by email to [email protected] or freightliner at 1‑800‑547‑0712.

Recall number 03V227000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: engine: dieselReported May 29, 2003 · 73 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain heavy trucks and motorhomes equipped with cummins westport b gas plus or c gas plus 6 cylinder engines, the electronic control module calibration may not correctly detect a throttle plate actuator failure that could result in an uncommanded open throttle condition.
Risk
If this event occurs, the vehicle operator will not have control of the engine speed which could possibly result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the electronic control module calibration free of charge. 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 cummins customer assistance center at 1‑800‑343‑7357 or freightliner at 1‑800‑547‑0712.

Recall number 03V203000 · Recall details

Suspension: front: hubReported March 21, 2003 · 5,716 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 03V112000 · Recall details

Trailer hitches: fifth wheel assemblyReported December 17, 2002 · 733 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain truck-tractor model vehicles equipped with conmet simplex stationary or sliding fifth-wheel, the clinch pins that retain the fifth-wheel pivot pins may not be fully installed.
Risk
The fifth wheel could separate from the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the fifth wheel to verify the correct installation of the clinch pin and pivot pin. Missing pins will be replaced. Owner notification began november 15, 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.

Recall number 02V337000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported October 17, 2002 · 53 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain crew cab trucks equipped with hydraulic brakes, the hydraulic brake lines from the chassis mounted anti-lock brake system (ABS) modulator valve can be damaged by interference with the cab mounted auxiliary heater duct.
Risk
This could result in extended braking distance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the brake lines. Owner notification began on december 26, 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.

Recall number 02V280000 · Recall details

Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cableReported April 10, 2002 · 548 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain trucks equipped with meritor brand 12" x 4" dcm drum parking brake, the bolts used to attach the parking brake assembly to the flange yoke are too large and can interfere with the proper engagement of the braking system and possibly disengage.
Risk
Improper engagement of the parking brake could result in the vehicle rolling away without prior warning possibly resulting in personal injury or death.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the attaching bolts with the correct size bolts free of charge. Owner notification is expected to begin during october 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.

Recall number 02V108001 · Recall details

Service brakes, air: supply: check valveReported January 22, 2002 · 5,176 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with meritor wabco pneumatic anitlock brake system (ABS) valve packages, the assembly bolts on these valve packages were not tightened correctly.
Risk
Bolts torqued below specification will not reliably prevent air leakage at the affected ABS valve package interface joints once the component begins normal vehicle operation. If air leaks develop at any of the ABS valve package interface joints, brake system pressure reductions could occur during braking or normal operation with units equipped with the traction control option, potentially extending stopping distances, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dealers will tighten the fasteners to the proper specification. Owner notification began april 4, 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.

Recall number 02V018002 · Recall details

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedalReported November 15, 2001 · 2,700 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: medium duty trucks, fire trucks, and transit buses and school buses equipped with electronic throttle control/accelerator pedals supplied by williams controls industries. The weld attaching the clevis to the plate has insufficient penetration and could allow the clevis to separate from the plate.
Risk
If the clevis separated from the plate while the vehicle was in use, the vehicle would return to idle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace these pedals. Owner notification began march 18, 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.

Recall number 01V322002 · Recall details

Service brakes, air: controls, pedals and linkagesReported June 14, 2001 · 4,400 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: vehicles equipped with certain haldex brake system two and four port relay valves. The valve may stick open when a high-pressure application is released.
Risk
When the valve sticks open, it can result in a total loss of air from either the service or the park brake system. The driver may lose braking ability under a service application, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace these valves. Owner notification began october 17, 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.

Recall number 01V189001 · Recall details

Service brakes, air: controls, pedals and linkagesReported November 3, 2000 · 105,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks. The brake pedal push rod that activates the service brakes could fracture.
Risk
This could result in a loss of braking control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the brake pedal push rod.

Recall number 00V357000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmissionReported August 17, 2000 · 594 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks, shuttle buses, transit buses and step vans equipped with allison 1000 or 2400 series transmissions. These transmissions can experience park pawl to rear cover interference due to an out of flatness condition.
Risk
This could cause non-engagement of the park pawl when the transmission shift selector is moved to the park position, resulting in unintended vehicle movement and a vehicle crash without prior warning.
Remedy
Allison transmission is conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. Dealers will remove the transmission from the vehicle, replace the park pawl, and reinstall the transmission in the vehicle. Owner notification is expected to begin during september 2000. 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 allison at 1‑800‑252‑5283 or freightliner at 1‑800‑547‑0712.

Recall number 00V229001 · Recall details

Service brakes, air: antilockReported August 7, 2000 · 35,405 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 00V232002 · Recall details

Wheels: rimReported July 10, 2000 · 143 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with accuride 22.5 x 8.25 15 tubeless demountable rims, part no. 32051. Certain rims contain a non-fusion area in the butt-weld of the mounting ring. Under certain circumstances, the defect could develop into a crack on the mounting ring.
Risk
Over time, the crack could propagate and if not heeded, could result in mounting ring failure, potentially causing the rim to separate from the vehicle.
Remedy
Accuride will inspect and replace the defective or suspect wheel rims.

Recall number 00V190001 · Recall details

Suspension: rear: springs: air suspension systemReported March 17, 2000 · 13,545 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks built with dual leaf spring type air ride suspensions and vehicles built with single leaf spring type air ride suspensions. Rear suspension springs can fracture through the center bolt hole after vehicle assembly.
Risk
If undetected, the rear end of the spring could separate from the vehicle causing a hazardous road debris situation.
Remedy
For vehicles equipped with single leaf springs, dealers will remove and replace all springs. For vehicles equipped with dual leaf springs, dealers will inspect for cracked springs and replace if cracked.

Recall number 00V081000 · Recall details

Service brakes, airReported March 29, 1999 · 142 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with a bendix anti-lock braking system (ABS). The rear axle ABS modulating valves may be plumbed incorrectly.
Risk
This can cause the rear axle service brakes, when in the ABS mode, to not modulate as intended.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the rear axle ABS modulating valve supply and outlet port for correct plumbing and re-plumb if necessary.

Recall number 99V065000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fanReported March 4, 1998 · 8,485 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: truck-tractors equipped with 26" 8-blade metal engine cooling fans. The fan blades can fatigue crack and eventually separate from the fan.
Risk
If the fan blade breaks while a person was working in the engine, personal injury could occur.
Remedy
Dealers will replace these fans with fans which are more durable.

Recall number 98V052000 · Recall details

Questions about the Freightliner Business Class recalls

How do I check if my Freightliner Business Class has an open recall?

Enter your VIN in the VIN decoder on this page to see the recalls for your exact model and year, then confirm with any dealer of the brand or the manufacturer, who can tell you whether the repair was already done on your car.

Do I have to pay for a recall repair?

No. Safety recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer of the brand, even if the car is out of warranty or you are not the first owner.

How many recalls does the Freightliner Business Class have?

18, covering suspension, vehicle speed control and trailer hitches.

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