Owners have filed 21 complaints
about the 1998 Freightliner Century with NHTSA between 1998 and 2005.
The largest single group is the windows, mirrors & wipers.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 3 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 63
Against the median year of the Freightliner Century. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
How 1998 compares with every other Freightliner Century
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1998 Freightliner Century
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
419.0%
Fuel & Propulsion
314.3%
Engine & Cooling
314.3%
Steering
29.5%
Transmission & Drivetrain
29.5%
Other & Unspecified
14.8%
Doors, Latches & Locks
14.8%
Seats
14.8%
Seat Belts
14.8%
Median failure at 54,950 miles
Lights
14.8%
Suspension
14.8%
Body & Structure
14.8%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Oct 1998peak 7Feb 2005
NHTSA investigations into the 1998 Freightliner Century
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE03005Opened 7 Feb 2003Closed 22 Aug 2003SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
FRONT BRAKE AIR HOSE LEAKS
CERTAIN 1998-2001 FREIGHTLINER CENTURY AND COLUMBIA VEHICLES EXHIBIT A HIGHER RATE OF FRONT BRAKE AIR HOSE LEAKS THAN EARLIER VINTAGE FREIGHTLINER VEHICLES.THE LEAKS HAVE BEEN FREQUENTLY DISCOVERED AT FMCSA ROADSIDE INSPECTIONS SINCE THESE INSPECTIONS ARE CONDUCTED WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED (PRESSURIZING THE AIR HOSE) WHEREAS DRIVER PRE-TRIP INSPECTIONS MAY NOT ALWAYS BE PERFORMED WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED. AFTER A THOROUGH TECHNICAL REVIEW OF THIS MATTER,ODI HAS CONCUDED THAT WHILE THE SUBJECT VEHICLES EXHIBIT A HIGHER RATE OF FRONT BRAKE AIR HOSE LEAKS THAN EARLIER VINTAGE AND PEER VEHICLES, THE...
PE02088Opened 22 Nov 2002Closed 1 May 2003WHEELS
INTEGRAL HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY
FREIGHTLINER SUBMITTED A DEFECT REPORT ON MARCH 21, 2003 IN WHICH THEY IDENTIFIED APPROXIMATELY 5000 TRUCKS AS POSSIBLY BEINGAFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM.ARVINMERITOR (FRONT AXLE MFR) SUBMITTED A DEFECT REPORT ONAPRIL 16, 2003, WHICH IDENTIFIES 6098 FREIGHTLINER TRUCKS ASBEING AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL AND 1191 AXLES SOLD TO FREIGHTLINER IN THE AFTERMARKET. ODI NOTES THAT THERE ARE TWOINTEGRAL HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLIES PER FRONT AXLE.FREIGHTLINER IDENTIFIED VEHICLES INCLUDINGFREIGHTLINER,STERLING, AND WESTERN STAR BRAND NAME AS BEINGAFFECTED BY THIS RECALL.SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL...
Recalls on the 1998 Freightliner Century
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2003179223 units in Canada
Suspension
On certain vehicles, manufacturing defects in the front axle unitized hubs may cause premature spalling of the wheel bearings. This condition will lead to eventual breakdown of the bearing and potential loss of vehicle control amidst the presence of warning signals such as activation of ABS warning light, steering wheel vibration, brake drag, noise and vehicle pull. Correction: Dealer will replace both front wheel hubs.
Recall 20021974,689 units in Canada
Steering
The TRW tie rod and drag link ball stud ends contain bearings that are below the specified case depth and/or hardness. This can lead to premature wear out and a possible separation of the ball stud from the socket and loss of steering control. Correction: All affected tie rods and drag links with different design ends will be replaced.
Recall 20001724,385 units in Canada
Brakes
On certain vehicles, the Bendix ABS ECU misinterprets certain signals from wheel ends which can result in the temporary loss of braking capability on one or more wheel positions for several seconds. This response results from either an ABS cable that has chafed through the insulation and contacted a rotating part or a misaligned tone ring that has been damaged by contacting other components. Correction: ABS ECU will be replaced with a new ECU with upgraded software capable of detecting and properly responding to erroneous signals.
Recall 2000028129 units in Canada
Steering
On certain vehicles, the tie rod ends may fracture due to low stress, high cycle, reversed bending fatigue resulting from a system resonance. This condition could result in loss of steering control. Correction: The tie rod ends and tube assembly will be replaced with tie rod ends of a higher strength material specification.
Recall 19980871,693 units in Canada
Powertrain
THE U-JOINT DEFLECTOR RINGS MAY BE LOOSE, ALLOWING WATER TO ENTER THE U-JOINT BEARING AREA RESULTING IN DILUTION OF THE LUBRICANT, OXIDATION OF BEARING AND SEAL SURFACES, AND LOSS OF LUBRICANT. THIS COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE INTERAXLE DRIVELINE. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED FOR LOOSE DEFLECTOR RINGS, AND IF LOOSE, THE U-JOINT WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW DESIGN VERSION.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 54,950 milesLinden, NJ
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR IS JAMMED. THE CONSUMER MADE CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURE AND THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE FOR THIS BELT JAMMING.
NHTSA complaint #10111674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Venice, FL
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
1998 CENTURY CLASS MODEL TRAILER EXPERIENCING MULTIPLE PROBLEMS.*MR THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT ONE OF THE U-JOINTS HAD GONE BAD, THE FLEX LINE HAD ROTTED AWAY WHICH CONNECTED TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH CAUSED A LEAK. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A POWER STEERING LEAK, ALSO THE AIR FILTER WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS ASSIGNED ANOTHER TRACTOR, HOWEVER IT WAS A 2001 MODEL AND HE SOON DISCOVERED THE FAN BLADES WERE COMPLETELY BLACK AND HE HAD TO TAPE A FILTER OVER THE AIR INTAKE. *JB *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10048179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Venice, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1998 CENTURY CLASS MODEL TRAILER EXPERIENCING MULTIPLE PROBLEMS.*MR THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT ONE OF THE U-JOINTS HAD GONE BAD, THE FLEX LINE HAD ROTTED AWAY WHICH CONNECTED TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH CAUSED A LEAK. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A POWER STEERING LEAK, ALSO THE AIR FILTER WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS ASSIGNED ANOTHER TRACTOR, HOWEVER IT WAS A 2001 MODEL AND HE SOON DISCOVERED THE FAN BLADES WERE COMPLETELY BLACK AND HE HAD TO TAPE A FILTER OVER THE AIR INTAKE. *JB *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10048179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Venice, FL
SUSPENSION
1998 CENTURY CLASS MODEL TRAILER EXPERIENCING MULTIPLE PROBLEMS.*MR THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT ONE OF THE U-JOINTS HAD GONE BAD, THE FLEX LINE HAD ROTTED AWAY WHICH CONNECTED TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH CAUSED A LEAK. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A POWER STEERING LEAK, ALSO THE AIR FILTER WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS ASSIGNED ANOTHER TRACTOR, HOWEVER IT WAS A 2001 MODEL AND HE SOON DISCOVERED THE FAN BLADES WERE COMPLETELY BLACK AND HE HAD TO TAPE A FILTER OVER THE AIR INTAKE. *JB *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10048179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Venice, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
1998 CENTURY CLASS MODEL TRAILER EXPERIENCING MULTIPLE PROBLEMS.*MR THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT ONE OF THE U-JOINTS HAD GONE BAD, THE FLEX LINE HAD ROTTED AWAY WHICH CONNECTED TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH CAUSED A LEAK. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A POWER STEERING LEAK, ALSO THE AIR FILTER WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS ASSIGNED ANOTHER TRACTOR, HOWEVER IT WAS A 2001 MODEL AND HE SOON DISCOVERED THE FAN BLADES WERE COMPLETELY BLACK AND HE HAD TO TAPE A FILTER OVER THE AIR INTAKE. *JB *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10048179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stockton, CA
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES FIRMLY AND AXLE FELL OFF. VEHICLE IS A CENTURY CLASSIC, 2000. COSUMER MAY NOT BE AWARE OF NHTSA RECALL 99V35 9000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL F L-251 CONCERNING TIE ROD END. WILL TRY AND CONTACT CONSUMER TO INFORM SYSTEM WAS DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #8000609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stockton, CA
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES FIRMLY AND AXLE FELL OFF. VEHICLE IS A CENTURY CLASSIC, 2000. COSUMER MAY NOT BE AWARE OF NHTSA RECALL 99V35 9000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL F L-251 CONCERNING TIE ROD END. WILL TRY AND CONTACT CONSUMER TO INFORM SYSTEM WAS DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #8000609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dickson, TN
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER FELT A VIBRATION IN THE DRIVETRAIN, THE DRIVESHAFT AND CONNECTING COMPONENTS CAME FLYING OUT FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE, THE YOKE ON THE BACK OF THE FRONT DRIVE AXLE WAS CRACKED AND CAME APART CAUSING ALL THE PARTS TO COME OFF, THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT IF THERE WERE GREASE FITTINGS ON THESE PARTS THE CRACKING WOULD HAVE BEEN SPOTTED WHEN DOING A GREASE JOB.
NHTSA complaint #557218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, MO
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
DRIVER SIDE WIPER ARM FELL OFF. YH
NHTSA complaint #549437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, MO
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
DRIVER SIDE WIPER ARM FELL OFF. YH
NHTSA complaint #549437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, MO
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
DRIVER SIDE WIPER ARM FELL OFF. YH
NHTSA complaint #549437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKS FUEL. YH
NHTSA complaint #549436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, MO
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKS FUEL. YH
NHTSA complaint #549436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, MO
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKS FUEL. YH
NHTSA complaint #549436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vernon, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
EXHAUST SYSTEM FLEX PIPE WITHIN THE TURBO CRACKED, ALLOWING EXHAUST LEAKS INTO THE CLEAN AIR AND FIREWALL, WHICH THEN WENT INTO THE AIR CONDITIONER AND INTO THE CAB OFTHE TRUCK.
NHTSA complaint #851802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Texarkana, TX
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS KEEP BLOWING OFF THE TRUCK . THE DEALER RESPONSE WAS "THATS A PISS POOR WAY TO MAKE A WIPER" . THIS AS YOU KNOW DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEMS I HAVE 25 TRUCKS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS . MY CONCERN IS THAT WHEN IT BLOWS OFF IT WILL HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT . YOUR HELP WOULD GREATLY BE APPRECIATED.
NHTSA complaint #702545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blanchard, OK
SEATS
AIR LEAK IN DRIVER'S SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #537068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blanchard, OK
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
DOORS POP OPEN ANY TIME, AT ONE TIME DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE.
NHTSA complaint #537068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.