1998 Freightliner FLD: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
2 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Most common problems
Power Train:Axle Assembly 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 1 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft | 1 |
Power Train:Axle Assembly: 1; Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft: 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. 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
2000: 1; 2002: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Axle Assembly 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 553461 · 2000-08-03 (August 3, 2000)
THE FRONT AXLE FAILED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND COLLISION WITH GUARDRAIL (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 553461 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 567272 · 2002-09-03 (September 3, 2002)
CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, HE NOTICED A VIBRATION, WHICH BECAME RAPIDLY SEVERE, CONSUMER THEN HEARD A NOISE AND THERE WAS ALSO A SMELL OF HOT OIL, THE SEMI LOST ALL POWER, CONSUMER COASTED TO A STOP, AND AFTER EXITING THE SEMI, CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE DRIVE SHAFT HAD BROKE OFF WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, WHICH CAUSED ANOTHER MOTORIST TO RUN OVER IT.(OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT)*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 567272 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
00V232002 · Service Brakes, Air:Antilock
Reported: 2000-08-07 (August 7, 2000)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗02V077000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 2002-03-20 (March 20, 2002)
CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS CONVERTED FROM SLEEPERCABS TO DAY CABS AND EQUIPPED WITH A DETROIT DIESEL OPTIMIZED IDLE SYSTEM. THE IDLE SYSTEM WAS NOT COMPLETELY DISABLED IN THE CAB CONVERSION PROCESS.
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN UNINTENTIONAL ENGINE STARTING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL COMPLETELY DISABLE THE OPTIMIZED IDLE SYSTEM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 3, 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗03V112000 · Suspension:Front:Hub
Reported: 2003-03-21 (March 21, 2003)
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRUCK HUB UNITS MANUFACTURED BY SKF EXCLUSIVELY FOR USE ON ARVINMERITOR'S FF98X SERIES NON-DRIVE STEER AXLES, THE HUB UNIT BEARINGS CAN WEAR PREMATURELY.
Consequence: SEIZURE OF THE BEARINGS CAN CAUSE WHEEL SEPARATION OR WHEEL END FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT HUBS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 20, 2003. 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V181002 · Electrical System:Ignition:Module
Reported: 1999-07-27 (July 27, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR ENGINES AND EATON AUTOSHIFT TRANSMISSIONS. THE ENGINES CAN STALL BECAUSE OF SOFTWARE PROBLEMS.
Consequence: INCREASED STEERING EFFORT CAN OCCUR.
Remedy: CATERPILLAR IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THIS RECALL. DEALERS WILL UPDATE THESE ENGINES WITH SOFTWARE CHANGES.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V295000 · Suspension:Front:Hub
Reported: 1999-10-26 (October 26, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE OUTBOARD BEARING ON THE STEERING AXLE HUBS CAN FAIL DUE TO WATER INTRUSION THROUGH A HUBCAP VENT.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE HUBCAP AND INSPECT FOR WATER INTRUSION AND CORROSION. THE HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED IF THERE IS EVIDENCE OF CORROSION. A NON-VENTED HUBCAP WILL BE INSTALLED.
NHTSA campaign record ↗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: 2026-09-30.
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 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1100.0%ODI 553100THE REAR AXLE OF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL WIRING FAILURE, EVIDENCE OF BURNT TAIL LIGHTS AND WIRING. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *MJS | 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. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo 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. | 1100.0%ODI 10276983THE MIAMI OKLAHOMA FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO A TRACTOR-TRAILER FIRE ON INTERSTATE 44. DURING THE SUPPRESSION ATTEMPT ONE OF THE FIREFIGHTERS FELL FROM THE BRIDGE AND SUFFERED A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY WHICH HAS LEFT HIM PERMANENTLY INCAPACITATED. THE VEHICLE INVOLVED IN FIRE WAS A 2000 FREIGHTLINER FLD TT. AN INVESTIGATION ORDERED BY GREAT AMERICAN INSURANCE CONCLUDED THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM A FAILED PASSENGER SIDE STEERING AXLE WHEEL BEARING. SUBSEQUENT RESEARCH FOUND THIS VEHICLE WAS POTENTIALLY ONE OF INVESTIGATION BY ODI. THIS INCIDE… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 553461THE FRONT AXLE FAILED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND COLLISION WITH GUARDRAIL (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS | 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. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 567272CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, HE NOTICED A VIBRATION, WHICH BECAME RAPIDLY SEVERE, CONSUMER THEN HEARD A NOISE AND THERE WAS ALSO A SMELL OF HOT OIL, THE SEMI LOST ALL POWER, CONSUMER COASTED TO A STOP, AND AFTER EXITING THE SEMI, CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE DRIVE SHAFT HAD BROKE OFF WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, WHICH CAUSED ANOTHER MOTORIST TO RUN OVER IT.(OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT)*JB | 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. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Steering | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 836602VEHICLE HOPS INTO CURVES, ACROSS YELLOW LINE. STEERING PROBLEMS OCCUR. DEALER CONTACTED, AND ATTEMPTED TO REMEDY PROBLEM. STATES NORMAL CONDITIONS. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK | 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. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Steering:Linkages:Knuckle:Spindle:Arm | 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. | 1100.0%ODI 10119642 · 200,000 miAS A MECHANICAL ENGINEER AND ACCIDENT RECONSTRUCTIONIST I WAS ASKED TO EXAMINE THE FRONT AXLE OF A LATE MODEL FREIGHTLINER TRUCK-TRACTOR THAT HAD BEEN IN A LOSS-OF-STEERING-CONTROL TYPE ACCIDENT. THE ACCIDENT RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOSS OF THE TRACTOR, THE TRAILER, THE TRAILER LOAD AND INJURY TO THE DRIVER. UPON EXAMINING THE LEFT FRONT STEERING SPINDLE I NOTICED IT HAD SEPARATED FROM THE AXLE. THE PLACE WHERE THE SPINDLE CONNECTS TO THE AXLE IS EFFECTED BY AN INTERFERENCE FIT BETWEEN A SOLID CYLINDER AND A CYLINDRICAL HOLE WITH NO OTHER MEANS OF … | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Structure:Body:Door | 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. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 10943764 · 230,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FREIGHTLINER FLD. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS INDEPENDENTLY OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO BOTH SHOULDERS AND BACK, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOORS WERE TOO SMALL FOR THE CABIN AND WOULD TO BE REPLACED WITH THE RIGHT SIZE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE F… | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Suspension:Front:King Pin | 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. | 1100.0%ODI 10119642 · 200,000 miAS A MECHANICAL ENGINEER AND ACCIDENT RECONSTRUCTIONIST I WAS ASKED TO EXAMINE THE FRONT AXLE OF A LATE MODEL FREIGHTLINER TRUCK-TRACTOR THAT HAD BEEN IN A LOSS-OF-STEERING-CONTROL TYPE ACCIDENT. THE ACCIDENT RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOSS OF THE TRACTOR, THE TRAILER, THE TRAILER LOAD AND INJURY TO THE DRIVER. UPON EXAMINING THE LEFT FRONT STEERING SPINDLE I NOTICED IT HAD SEPARATED FROM THE AXLE. THE PLACE WHERE THE SPINDLE CONNECTS TO THE AXLE IS EFFECTED BY AN INTERFERENCE FIT BETWEEN A SOLID CYLINDER AND A CYLINDRICAL HOLE WITH NO OTHER MEANS OF … | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 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 (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.
2010: 0 complaints · 2011: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | 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 | Power Train:Axle Assembly | Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | — | 0 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft | 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.