Dt*: the contact stated while driving 64 MPH, the exhaust fume came into the cab through the air conditioning system intake. There was a smell of fume present within the vehicle. The problem occurred either while driving or when in an idle position. The vehicle was taken to the service dealer who determined the clumps and manifold hose were defective. The parts were replaced.
The worst 1997 Freightliner Century problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Engine1
- Suspension1
- Tires1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine1
- Suspension1
- Tires1
Recalls 4
Service brakes, air: antilock
- 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
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages
- 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: front
- 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 bar
- 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
See all 4 recalls for the 1997 Freightliner Century
Defect investigations
Integral hub and bearing assembly
Freightliner submitted a defect report on march 21, 2003 in which they identified approximately 5000 trucks as possibly beingaffected by this problem.arvinmeritor (front axle mfr) submitted a defect report onapril 16, 2003, which identifies 6098 freightliner trucks asbeing affected by this recall and 1191 axles sold to freightliner in the aftermarket. Odi notes that there are twointegral hub and bearing assemblies per front axle.freightliner identified vehicles includingfreightliner,sterling, and western star brand name as beingaffected by this recall.see attached summary report for additional details.
PE02088
Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Freightliner Century 9
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Sb2057 New Surge Tank Design
- Field service campaign to modify certain vehicles, manufacutred between october 3, 1997 and august 18,...
- Informationregarding low coolant level indication
- Some vehicles with FF-981 hub caps manufactured after the production improvements in november have been...
- Some century class vehicles may make a popping or thumping noise during low speed/sharp-turn maneuvers-...
- Some vendor-supplied radiator surge tanks for century class vehicles have irregular surfaces between the...
- Troubleshooting the instrumentation control unit (ICU) presents an overview of the icu systems and functions
- Top exhaust stacks on flb coes, fld conventionals, fll coes, and century class vehicles are installed at a...
- Reconfigure either the instrumentation control unit (ICU) or the data logging unit (dlu)- always...
What 1997 Freightliner Century owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
While driving 50 MPH and without warning rear left leaf separated from wheel frame, resulting in major damage to truck. Dealer has been notified; however unable to remedy the problem.
Continual problem with the air guages being inaccurate, they will not drop to zero when air tanks are drained they still show 15-20 lbs of air pressure they are off 10-20% when air tanks are full, chp inspections at terminal have found all air guages including the guage that was replaced to be inaccurate.
Tire blew out on sidewall resulting in vehicle rollover accident.(bridgestone 295/75r/225).
Compare the 1997 Freightliner Century
Other model years
Questions about the 1997 Freightliner Century
Is the 1997 Freightliner Century reliable?
Owners have filed 4 complaints about the 1997 Freightliner Century, close to a typical Century model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Freightliner Century?
Engine and cooling, with 1 complaint. Next is suspension (1).
How many recalls does the 1997 Freightliner Century have?
4 recalls, covering service brakes, air, visibility and suspension.
VIN decoder
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