Tl*the contact owns a 1999 freightliner fs-65. The current mileage was 84000. When he attempted to start the vehicle it would not start. Also, the contact stated that previously the vehicle would shut off without warning and he was unable to to restart. The mechanic stated that the transfer pump and/or the injection pump should be replaced. The repair was made. However, the problem continued to occur. The contact owned a fleet of eighteen vehicles that had the same problem. The VIN was available for only one of the vehicles. On all of the 18 vehicles the transfer pump was replaced 54 times and the injection pump was replaced 22 times. *ak updated 07/06/07.
The worst 1999 Freightliner FS-65 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Body1
- Fuel system1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Body1
- Fuel system1
Recalls 7
Fuel system, diesel
- What is wrong
- Certain 1998-2003 my freightliner fs-65 school bus chassis and mb-45, mb-55, and xb shuttle bus chassis, and thomas built bus: mvp-er and mvp-ef school bus and non-school bus models equipped with cummins isb diesel engines and equipped with federal-mogal 12 and 24 volt fuel lift pumps. The fuel pump could fail to transfer fuel appropriately creating an engine stall condition.
- Risk
- Should the engine stall while the vehicle is in use, a possible vehicle crash could occur.
- Remedy
- Cummins will notify the customers of freightliner and thomas built and replace the fuel lift pump free of charge. Owners may contact cummins at 1-800-diesels.
Recall number 05V205000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- On certain school buses chassis equipped with caterpillar engines and hydraulic brakes. A braided ground strap for the starter may rub on a steel chassis brake line potentially causing a fluid leak.
- Risk
- A brake fluid leak can reduce braking effectiveness and increase the stopping distance, which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the brake line and replace it, if necessary. The braided ground strap will be replaced with an insulated cable. The recall began on august 10, 2004. Owners may contact freightliner at 1‑800‑547‑0712.
Recall number 04V343000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- On certain school buses, the brake hoses from the chassis to front brake chambers could develop leaks due to the hose routing that could overstress the hose during sharp turns.
- Risk
- The vehicle could have reduced braking capacity, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect for improper routing. If improper routing is found, dealers will replace and correct the hose routing. Owner notification began april 29, 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 02V084000 · Recall details
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 01V044002 · Recall details
Service brakes, air: antilock
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: shuttle buses, recreational vehicles, utility vans, and heavy duty trucks equipped with meritor wabco phase 1, d-version antilock brake system (ABS), fail to comply to the requirements of fmvss no. 105, "hydraulic and electric brake systems." an internal diagnostic system in the ABS may not detect an extreme wheel speed sensor air gap. Such a condition could possibly occur during (1) original assembly or (2) subsequent wheel end service.
- Risk
- The ABS fault light will not activate and the ABS will not function at this wheel position, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will remove and replace the ABS ecu or the ecu will be reprogrammed. Owner notification began february 6, 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 00V279001 · Recall details
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
Service brakes, air
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with meritor air brake automatic slack adjusters. Some of the automatic slack adjusters had insufficient torque applied to the guide pawl cap screw.
- Risk
- Without sufficient torque on the guide pawl cap screw, the brakes could gradually lose adjustment, increasing the vehicle stopping distance.
- Remedy
- Dealers will check the torque on the automatic slack adjuster guide pawl. If there is no torque, the brakes will be adjusted and the guide pawl will be tightened to 15-20 ft. Lbs.
Recall number 99V055002 · Recall details
See all 7 recalls for the 1999 Freightliner FS-65
Defect investigations
Front air brake hose leakage
There is no summary currently available
PE02024
What 1999 Freightliner FS-65 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Broken frame on 1999 freightliner school bus/thomas body over right rear air ride at torsion bar mount. Vehicle is currently undergoing frame replacement at body shop.
Compare the 1999 Freightliner FS-65
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Questions about the 1999 Freightliner FS-65
Is the 1999 Freightliner FS-65 reliable?
Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 1999 Freightliner FS-65, fewer than a typical FS-65 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 Freightliner FS-65?
Body and structure, with 1 complaint. Next is fuel system (1).
How many recalls does the 1999 Freightliner FS-65 have?
7 recalls, covering fuel system, diesel, service brakes, hydraulic and steering.
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