1996 Freightliner Century recalls

There are 7 safety recalls on record for the 1996 Freightliner Century, covering 45,861 vehicles in total across all the models in each campaign. Newest first.

All recalls

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkagesReported December 21, 1998 · 6,720 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks. The windshield wiper connecting linkage sockets can wear out prematurely due to insufficient greasing during assembly.
Risk: This can lead to a separation of the linkage and loss of wiper function, impairing the driver's visibility.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the connecting linkages with new links that are properly lubricated.

Recall number 98V326000 · Recall details

Suspension: frontReported April 21, 1998 · 22,186 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with meritor interaxle driveline u-joints. Deflector rings, a part of the system to seal the u-joints from contaminates, are loose. This allows water to enter the u-joint bearing area result in dilution of the lubricant, oxidation of the bearing and seal surfaces, and loss of lubricant.
Risk: If this problem goes undetected, the interaxle driveline can separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the u-joints with the current design u-joints.

Recall number 98V085000 · Recall details

Steering: steering wheel/handle barReported July 16, 1997 · 11,366 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Vehicle description: heavy duty truck. Leaks through the firewall or steering shaft boots allows water to run down the steering shaft. The steering shaft slip spline corrodes causing it to seize.
Risk: Increased steering effort can result increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering shaft with a new design that is installed in an inverted orientation so no water can enter the splines.

Recall number 97V112000 · Recall details

Seat belts: front: anchorageReported January 21, 1997 · 121 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Due to undersized rivets and oversized holes, the b-pillar anchorage will not meet the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) no. 210, "seat belt assembly anchorages."
Risk: In the event of a crash, the seat belt assembly anchorage may not hold an occupant increasing the risk of personal injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will make the necessary repairs to the seat belt assembly anchorages.

Recall number 97V006000 · Recall details

Suspension: rearReported November 20, 1996 · 1,410 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Vehicle description: all vehicles equipped with eaton drive axles and axilok spindle nuts. The drive axle housings consist of a plate steel center section and two forged spindles, one of which is welded to each end of the center section. Each spindle contains a keyway slot in which the locking tab for the wheel bearing nut locking mechanism is inserted. The length of the keyway slot may not be long enough to accommodate the tab causing the tab to be deformed or damaged during installation.
Risk: This locking tab prevents the wheel bearing nut from loosening during vehicle operation. If this tab is deformed, the nut can loosen allowing the wheel to separate from the axle increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the drive axle housing nuts with a conventional wheel nut hardware system.

Recall number 96V233003 · Recall details

Visibility: defroster/defogger/HVAC systemReported October 8, 1996 · 3,800 vehicles affected

What is wrong: An electrical short can occur in the auxilliary heater/airconditioning blower if exposed to water.
Risk: The shorted relay can result in a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will remove and replace the relay with one that resists shorting if contacted by water and does not support combustion even if shorted.

Recall number 96V197000 · Recall details

Vehicle speed controlReported September 24, 1996 · 258 vehicles affected

What is wrong: These vehicles are equipped with a detroit diesel optimized idle system. If the ignition is turned on and the fuse for the electronic control module (ECM) power feed line is removed or burned out, the safety features designed to prevent injury to persons working in the vicinity of the engine will be bypassed, and unintentional cranking of the engine will occur.
Risk: If unintentional cranking of the engine occurs, persons working in the vicinity of the engine could be injured and the vehicle could move.
Remedy: Detroit diesel distributors will rewire the vehicles using a revised ECM which will eliminate unintentional cranking.

Recall number 96V181001 · Recall details

Questions about the 1996 Freightliner Century recalls

How do I check if my 1996 Freightliner Century 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 1996 Freightliner Century have?

7, covering visibility, suspension and steering.

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