1997 Freightliner CONVENTIONAL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Tires is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 5 complaints (60.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 1 | 20.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 20.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Tires | 3 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 1 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Air:Drum | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
Tires: 3; Electrical System:Horn: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery: 1; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 1; Service Brakes, Air:Drum: 1; Steering: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 5 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
1999: 1; 2001: 1; 2003: 2; 2006: 1
Pattern summary
Tires leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10052208 · 2003-12-24 (December 24, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE RUNNING BOARD, FRONT AXLE, AND FENDER. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE WHEEL FASTENERS ON THE #2 AXLE WAS MISSING. THE HORN WAS INOPERATIVE AND THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE DRUM HAD SEVERAL EXTERNAL CRACKS (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10052208 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 563744 · 2001-10-22 (October 22, 2001)
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER FELT A BAD SHIMMY COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND WAS HIT IN THE HEAD WHEN A PORTABLE TV FELL ON HIM, WHEN VEHICLE WENT OFF HIGHWAY, IT STRUCK A GUARDRAIL, FENCE, UTILITY POLE, AND SEVERAL TREES, THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE LEFT FRONT TIRE HAD WORN ON THE INSIDE OF THE TREAD, CAUSING A SHIMMY, AFTER THE INCIDENT, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAD APPROXIMATELY A 6 INCH WIDE TEAR IN THE SIDEWALL AND WAS BROKEN LOOSE FROM BEADS OF THE RIM, POSSIBLE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 563744 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
5 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 2007 | 2008 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tires | 125.0%ODI 103575522007 FREIGHTLINER CONVENTIONAL, WESTBOUND WHEN THE RIGHT REAR TRAILER TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING A PIECE OF THE TIRE TO COME OFF. UNIT 2 BEHIND UNIT 1 IMMEDIATELY STRUCK THE TIRE, THROWING IT INTO THE PATH OF UNIT 3 WHO WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE. UNIT 3 THEN STRUCK THE TIRE. *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0577-90)*JB | 150.0%ODI 103989532008 FREIGHTLINER CONVENTIONAL, UNIT 1 WAS TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE IN THE CENTER LANE AT THE 113 MILEPOST. UNIT 2 WAS TRAVELING IN THE RIGHT LANE. UNIT 2 BLEW OUT A TIRE AND THE DEBRIS FROM THE TIRE STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD OF UNIT 1 CAUSING DAMAGE. *BF THE FRONT DRIVE AXLE OF THE SEMI WAS ALSO DAMAGED. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0230-90)*JB | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 103295982008 FREIGHTLINER CONVENTIONAL LOST ITS DRIVE SHAFT ONTO THE ROADWAY. *BF *OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0146-91) *JB UPDATED 05/13/10 *BF | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Service Brakes, Air | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Unknown Or Other | 125.0%ODI 103757442007 FREIGHTLINER CONVENTIONAL, UNIT 1 AND 2 WERE TRAVELING WESTBOUND. A REAR TIRE ON UNIT 1 BLEW AND THE DEBRIS FROM IT STRUCK THE FRONT OF THE UNIT 2. UNIT 1 CONTINUED ON AND DID NOT STOP. *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0786-90)*JB UPDATED 01/14/11 *BF | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Wheels | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 11421695The contact owns a 2018 FREIGHTLINER XC-R. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers:20V404000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING) and 21E032 (FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms remedy not yet available. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Steering | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. | ||||
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2008: 1 complaints · 2018: 1 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Tires | Electrical System:Horn | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | Power Train:Manual Transmission | Service Brakes, Air:Drum | Steering | Vehicle Speed Control |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tires | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 563744WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER FELT A BAD SHIMMY COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND WAS HIT IN THE HEAD WHEN A PORTABLE TV FELL ON HIM, WHEN VEHICLE WENT OFF HIGHWAY, IT STRUCK A GUARDRAIL, FENCE, UTILITY POLE, AND SEVERAL TREES, THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE LEFT FRONT TIRE HAD WORN ON THE INSIDE OF THE TREAD, CAUSING A SHIMMY, AFTER THE INCIDENT, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAD APPROXIMATELY A 6 INCH WIDE TEAR IN THE SIDEWALL AND WAS BROKEN LOOSE FROM BEADS OF THE RIM, POSSIBLE… | 0 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 10052208WHILE DRIVING RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE RUNNING BOARD, FRONT AXLE, AND FENDER. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE WHEEL FASTENERS ON THE #2 AXLE WAS MISSING. THE HORN WAS INOPERATIVE AND THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE DRUM HAD SEVERAL EXTERNAL CRACKS (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *NM | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 0 | 0 | — | 1ODI 708021THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE OVER 209 DAYS. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF FREIGHTLINER HAS NOT BEEN WILLING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES. NO SAFETY DEFECT (S) LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK | 1ODI 708021THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE OVER 209 DAYS. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF FREIGHTLINER HAS NOT BEEN WILLING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES. NO SAFETY DEFECT (S) LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 708021THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE OVER 209 DAYS. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF FREIGHTLINER HAS NOT BEEN WILLING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES. NO SAFETY DEFECT (S) LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 708021THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE OVER 209 DAYS. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF FREIGHTLINER HAS NOT BEEN WILLING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES. NO SAFETY DEFECT (S) LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK | — | 1ODI 708021THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE OVER 209 DAYS. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF FREIGHTLINER HAS NOT BEEN WILLING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES. NO SAFETY DEFECT (S) LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 708021THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE OVER 209 DAYS. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF FREIGHTLINER HAS NOT BEEN WILLING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES. NO SAFETY DEFECT (S) LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 708021THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE OVER 209 DAYS. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF FREIGHTLINER HAS NOT BEEN WILLING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES. NO SAFETY DEFECT (S) LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK | 1ODI 708021THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE OVER 209 DAYS. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF FREIGHTLINER HAS NOT BEEN WILLING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES. NO SAFETY DEFECT (S) LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK | — | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 708021THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE OVER 209 DAYS. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF FREIGHTLINER HAS NOT BEEN WILLING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES. NO SAFETY DEFECT (S) LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK |
| Service Brakes, Air:Drum | 0 | 1ODI 10052208WHILE DRIVING RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE RUNNING BOARD, FRONT AXLE, AND FENDER. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE WHEEL FASTENERS ON THE #2 AXLE WAS MISSING. THE HORN WAS INOPERATIVE AND THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE DRUM HAD SEVERAL EXTERNAL CRACKS (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *NM | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1ODI 563744WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER FELT A BAD SHIMMY COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND WAS HIT IN THE HEAD WHEN A PORTABLE TV FELL ON HIM, WHEN VEHICLE WENT OFF HIGHWAY, IT STRUCK A GUARDRAIL, FENCE, UTILITY POLE, AND SEVERAL TREES, THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE LEFT FRONT TIRE HAD WORN ON THE INSIDE OF THE TREAD, CAUSING A SHIMMY, AFTER THE INCIDENT, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAD APPROXIMATELY A 6 INCH WIDE TEAR IN THE SIDEWALL AND WAS BROKEN LOOSE FROM BEADS OF THE RIM, POSSIBLE… | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 708021THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE OVER 209 DAYS. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF FREIGHTLINER HAS NOT BEEN WILLING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES. NO SAFETY DEFECT (S) LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK | 1ODI 708021THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE OVER 209 DAYS. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF FREIGHTLINER HAS NOT BEEN WILLING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES. NO SAFETY DEFECT (S) LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK | 1ODI 708021THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE OVER 209 DAYS. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF FREIGHTLINER HAS NOT BEEN WILLING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES. NO SAFETY DEFECT (S) LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK | 0 | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.