Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

Freightliner CONVENTIONAL problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

76 owner complaints analyzed

16 distinct recall campaigns

302,847 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1975 to 2018 model years. Data updated: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Tires is the most frequently named component, appearing in 25 of 76 complaints (32.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior1013.2%
Electrical and battery issues56.6%
Steering behavior45.3%
Fuel system concerns45.3%

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.

Tires
25
Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft
7
Service Brakes, Air
5
Unknown Or Other
5
Wheels
4
Electrical System
3
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
3
Steering
3
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Tires25
Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft7
Service Brakes, Air5
Unknown Or Other5
Wheels4
Electrical System3
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline3
Steering3

Tires: 25; Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft: 7; Service Brakes, Air: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5; Wheels: 4; Electrical System: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Steering: 3

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
2
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9991
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above2

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 2

150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 73 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.

1995
1
1996
1
1997
4
1998
3
1999
3
2000
6
2001
7
2002
6
2003
11
2005
5
2006
8
2007
5
2008
2
2010
5
2011
5
2013
1
2017
1
2021
1
2023
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
19951
19961
19974
19983
19993
20006
20017
20026
200311
20055
20068
20075
20082
20105
20115
20131
20171
20211
20231

1995: 1; 1996: 1; 1997: 4; 1998: 3; 1999: 3; 2000: 6; 2001: 7; 2002: 6; 2003: 11; 2005: 5; 2006: 8; 2007: 5; 2008: 2; 2010: 5; 2011: 5; 2013: 1; 2017: 1; 2021: 1; 2023: 1

Pattern summary

Tires leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 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 10155165 · 2006-03-30 (March 30, 2006)

FOIA REQUEST ALL RECORDS, RPTS , INVESTIGATIONS, PHOTO GRAPHS, STATEMENTS, AND OTHER THINGS/DOCUMENTS RE A 1984 FREIGHTLINER CONVENTIONAL FLC, MY 1997-2001 CONVENTIONAL FLC, 1992 MGS MODEL 6200 EXPLORER SPRAYER TRAILER. *TS THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING DOWN HILL WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKE TO SLOW FOR AN UPCOMING INTERSECTION. UPON DOING SO HE FOUND THAT THE BRAKES WERE FAILING AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PICKING UP SPEED. THE DRIVER REACHED THE INTERSECTION AND STEERED LEFT AROUND A STOPPED VEHICLE AND BEGAN TO SKID SIDEWAYS ACROSS THE ROA…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10155165 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 561149 · 2001-03-10 (March 10, 2001)

THE TRAILERS AIRLINE BRAKES WERE NOT CONNECTED FROM THE TRACTOR TO THE TRAILER, INSPECTION OF THE TRAILER INDICATED THAT 4 OF 10 WERE WORKING AT THE TIME THE TRUCK CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 561149 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10201504 · 2007-08-28 (August 28, 2007)

1995 FREIGHTLINER CONVENTIONAL. LEFT FRONT INSIDE TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING DAMAGE TO ANOTHER VEHICLE. *KB WHEN THE TIRE BLEWOUT, IT KNOCKED THE BATTERY BOX COVER OFF THE TRUCK, WHICH STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10201504 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 540870 · 1998-09-16 (September 16, 1998)

WIRING FAILURE RESULTING IN ENGINE FIRE.(OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT).

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 540870 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 ↗

Owner report 554269 · 2000-09-01 (September 1, 2000)

WHILE DRIVING THE SHAFT COMING FROM THE STEERING GEAR BOX TO THE PITMAN ARM WAS SHEARED COMPLETELY OFF, DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN COLLISION. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *MJS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 554269 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10159487 · 2006-06-05 (June 5, 2006)

1993 FREIGHTLINER CONVENTIONAL DRIVE SHAFT BROKE AND RUPTURED THE RIGHT FUEL TANK. *TS *NM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10159487 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 882249 · 2001-03-06 (March 6, 2001)

FUEL TANK LEAKS WHERE SENDING UNIT ATTATCHES TO TANK.*AK THE TOP OF FUEL TANK WHERE FILLER TUBE MEETS THE TANK ALSO LEAKS. *YH

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 882249 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

2002
1
2007
0
2008
0
2018
0
Recall campaigns data
CategoryCount
20021
20070
20080
20180

2002: 1; 2007: 0; 2008: 0; 2018: 0

Year-by-year records

Freightliner CONVENTIONAL model-year comparison
Model yearComplaintsRecallsChange in recalls
197501Not available
197602+1
1977020
197801-1
197902+1
198202Not available
198304+2
1984140
198507+3
198616-1
198704-2
198802-2
198910-2
1990100
1991200
1992200
1993600
1994100
1995700
199651+1
199750-1
1998500
19991100
20001200
2001700
200221+1
200740Not available
2008200
201810Not available
Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

76 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

3.9%Usable mileage3 / 76 records
93.4%Valid incident date71 / 76 records
100.0%Valid filing date76 / 76 records
93.4%Ordered incident and filing dates71 / 76 records

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 complaint heatmap
Component200720082018
Tires
125.0%
ODI 10357552

2007 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

Look up ODI 10357552 at NHTSA ↗

150.0%
ODI 10398953

2008 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

Look up ODI 10398953 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

150.0%
ODI 10329598

2008 FREIGHTLINER CONVENTIONAL LOST ITS DRIVE SHAFT ONTO THE ROADWAY. *BF *OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0146-91) *JB UPDATED 05/13/10 *BF

Look up ODI 10329598 at NHTSA ↗

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 10375744

2007 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

Look up ODI 10375744 at NHTSA ↗

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 11421695

The 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.

Look up ODI 11421695 at NHTSA ↗

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 failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
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.

1 reports2024-112026-10

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
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-10 (partial)0None

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.

Age 0Age 1Age 21 reports

2008: 1 complaints · 2018: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
2008001
2018001
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
2008200
2018100

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 co-occurrence matrix
ComponentTiresPower Train:Driveline:DriveshaftService Brakes, AirUnknown Or OtherWheelsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling:Engine:GasolineSteering
Tires—000000
1
ODI 563744

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…

Look up ODI 563744 at NHTSA ↗

Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft0—000000
Service Brakes, Air00—
1
ODI 513022

FRAME BENT CAUSING SUSPENSION PROBLEMS AND FAILURES.

Look up ODI 513022 at NHTSA ↗

0000
Unknown Or Other00
1
ODI 513022

FRAME BENT CAUSING SUSPENSION PROBLEMS AND FAILURES.

Look up ODI 513022 at NHTSA ↗

—0000
Wheels0000—000
Electrical System00000—00
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline000000—0
Steering
1
ODI 563744

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…

Look up ODI 563744 at NHTSA ↗

000000—

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.

2 patterns with matching reports.

Brake response concerns

2 mentions · 2.6% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 874584

MODEL 132, WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL. PRESSING BRAKE PEDAL HARDER MAKES PEDAL GO WAY DOWN, AND NOT RETURN. THIS CAUSES ZERO BRAKING ABILITY. *AK STUCK OR PARTIALLY STUCK BRAKE PISTONS CAUSED BRAKE LININGS TO DRAG POSSIBLY RESULTING IN FIRE AND BRAKE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATES THAT DEALER SERVICING IS VERY EXPENSIVE. *YH

Look up ODI 874584 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 551284

BRAKES FAILED DUE TO FAILURE OF THE PIG TAIL CONNECTION, RESULTING IN COLLISION DUE TO LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS

Look up ODI 551284 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(brake fail\w*|brakes fail\w*|brake pedal|braking distance|unintended braking|phantom braking)\b

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

1 mentions · 1.3% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 10018939

FUEL LIFT PUMP LOSES PRESSURE OVER TIME CAUSING INTEGRATED CIRCUIT IN FUEL SYSTEM TO FAIL TO FUNCTION. DRIVER OF VEHICLE RECEIVES A WARNING LIGHT ON DASH,; THE ENGINE COMPUTER SOMETIMES DE-RATES THE ENGINE AND SOMETIMES SHUTS OFF THE ENGINE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ONE PARTICULAR BUS THAT SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ON A ROUTE. BUS TAKEN TO AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP. IF THE DEALERSHIP CAN RESET THE CODE AND IT DOESN'T FAULT, THE VEHICLE IS RETURNED TO US CLAIMING NO PROBLEMS EXIST. THE BUS THEN DIES OUT AGAIN. LIFT PUMP MALFUNCTION ALSO DA…

Look up ODI 10018939 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b