U.S. public vehicle records

1998 Freightliner CLASSIC: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

2 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

Not available median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1998 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 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.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 2 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Unknown Or Other

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

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

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

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. 2 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.

2003

2004

2003: 1; 2004: 1

Pattern summary

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. 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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10007003 · 2003-02-11 (February 11, 2003)

THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED.*JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007003 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10068386 · 2004-05-06 (May 6, 2004)

I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT A TRANSPORTATION COMPANY HERE LOCALLY IS BREAKING THE LAW BY NOT KEEPING COPIES OF THIER DRIVERS LOG BOOKS. THEY MAKE THEM DRIVE (FREIGHTLINERS) ILLEGALLY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN RIGHTS ARE BROUGHT UP THE EMPLOYEES ARE FIRED FOR IT.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10068386 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

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

0.0%Usable mileage0 / 2 records

100.0%Valid incident date2 / 2 records

100.0%Valid filing date2 / 2 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates2 / 2 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.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1996	1998	1999	2000	2001	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Other Fuel Types:Turbo/Supercharger	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	233.3% ODI 10007219 · 92,000 mi COOLANT LEAKED FROM THE TURBO CHARGER ONTO THE EXHAUST PIPE, THE LIQUID DRIPPED THROUGH THE PIPES WHICH CAUSED FUMES TO ESCAPE IN THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE.*JB Look up ODI 10007219 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable 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.	1100.0% ODI 10398951 1999 FREIGHTLINER CLASSIC, UNIT 1 WAS HEADING EASTBOUND IN THE OHIO TURNPIKE WHEN HIS RIGHT REAR TRACTOR BRAKES CAUGHT FIRE. BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0119-89)JB UPDATED 07/12/11 BF Look up ODI 10398951 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 10381875 2006 FREIGHTLINER SEMI, WAS DISABLED ON THE BERM WITH IT'S HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND A PATROL CAR BEHIND IT DUE TO LOSING A SET OF TRAILER TIRES. UPON COMING TO A STOP AT THE 148.4 MILE POST. UNIT 2'S BRAKE DRUM FELL OFF AND ROLLED INTO TRAFFIC. UNIT 1 STRUCK THE BRAKE DRUM AND CONTINUED ON A LITTLE FURTHER BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. *BF ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE DRIVER WAS ASKED TO MOVE HIS OUT FIT A LITTLE FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD AWAY FROM TRAFFIC AND AS HE DID, THAT IS WHEN THE OFFICER NOTICED THE BRAKE DRUM HAD FALL FROM THE TRUCK. … Look up ODI 10381875 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Suspension	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 10007316 · 245,000 mi THE FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLY LUG NUTS WERE INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, WHICH CAUSED THE WHEEL TO FALL OF WHILE DRIVING.*JB Look up ODI 10007316 at NHTSA ↗	116.7% ODI 786471 WHEN THE WIND BLOWS THE TRACTOR BOBS BACK AND FORTH AND LEANS EXTREMELY BAD, THE DRIVER DESCRIBES IT LIKE BEING IN A BOAT ROCKING (FREIGHTLINER FLD132064T 2001). NLM Look up ODI 786471 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Tires	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	116.7% ODI 10155158 2001 FREIGHTLINER CLASSIC LEFT FRONT STEER TIRE BLEW OUT. TS THE LEFT FENDER, BUMPER AND HOOD WERE DAMAGED. NM Look up ODI 10155158 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 10381875 2006 FREIGHTLINER SEMI, WAS DISABLED ON THE BERM WITH IT'S HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND A PATROL CAR BEHIND IT DUE TO LOSING A SET OF TRAILER TIRES. UPON COMING TO A STOP AT THE 148.4 MILE POST. UNIT 2'S BRAKE DRUM FELL OFF AND ROLLED INTO TRAFFIC. UNIT 1 STRUCK THE BRAKE DRUM AND CONTINUED ON A LITTLE FURTHER BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. *BF ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE DRIVER WAS ASKED TO MOVE HIS OUT FIT A LITTLE FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD AWAY FROM TRAFFIC AND AS HE DID, THAT IS WHEN THE OFFICER NOTICED THE BRAKE DRUM HAD FALL FROM THE TRUCK. … Look up ODI 10381875 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	116.7% ODI 786471 WHEN THE WIND BLOWS THE TRACTOR BOBS BACK AND FORTH AND LEANS EXTREMELY BAD, THE DRIVER DESCRIBES IT LIKE BEING IN A BOAT ROCKING (FREIGHTLINER FLD132064T 2001). NLM Look up ODI 786471 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 10206755 · 22,000 mi TL-2007 FREIGHTLINER (MODEL UNKNOWN). THE REAR DOOR HANDLE HAS OXIDATION WITH THE ALUMINUM ON THE STEEL. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE DOOR THE HANDLE FALLS OFF IN ONE PIECE INTO YOUR HAND. WHEN THIS OCCURS THERE IS NO WAY TO OPEN THE REAR DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,000. THE MILEAGE AT THE TIME OF FAILURE WAS 22,000. Look up ODI 10206755 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	116.7% ODI 10091562 · 73,000 mi ENGINE'S HYDRAULIC PUMP AND FAN FAILED. AS A RESULT, WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SMOKED BECAUSE ENGINE OVERHEATED. NO FIRE REPORTED. *AK Look up ODI 10091562 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 10007003 THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED.*JB Look up ODI 10007003 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable 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
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.

ComponentPeriod

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
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	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.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2007: 1 complaints · 2008: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2007	1	1	1
2008	0	0	0

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2007	1	0	0
2008	0	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 co-occurrence matrix
Component	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Unknown Or Other
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	—	0
Unknown Or Other	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.

Search patterns

1 patterns with matching reports.

Hard or delayed shifting

1 mentions · 50.0% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 10007003

THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED.*JB

Look up ODI 10007003 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Complaints over time data
Category	Count
2003	1
2004	1