FaultScore

FaultScore report

1997 Freightliner Conventional problems

Owners have filed 15 complaints about the 1997 Freightliner Conventional with NHTSA between 1999 and 2006. The largest single group is the tires. Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 4 worst.

D

FaultScore 66/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Freightliner Conventional.

How this is worked out

The numbers

15

Complaints

1

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

7

Injuries reported

What kind of bad

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.

Complaint volume 45 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure not reported
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 45
Against the median year of the Freightliner Conventional. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
53.3% 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 1997 compares with every other Freightliner Conventional

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1997 Freightliner Conventional

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Tires 5 33.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Steering 3 20.0%
Wheels 1 6.7%
Fuel & Propulsion 1 6.7%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 6.7%
Brakes 1 6.7%
Electrical System 1 6.7%
Transmission & Drivetrain 1 6.7%
Engine & Cooling 1 6.7%

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.

Jun 1999 peak 4 Aug 2006

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Clyde, OH Crash 1 injured

TIRES

1997 CONVENTIONAL FRONT STEER TIRE BLEW OUT. *TS THE DRIVER WENT OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROADWAY, STRUCK A DITCH CONTINUED ON THROUGH THE RIGHT-OF-WAY FENCE ACROSS A FIELD AND STRUCK ANOTHER FENCE AND SEVERAL TREES.

NHTSA complaint #10166930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waterloo, NY 1 injured

STEERING

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 TIRE FAILURE, BRIDGESTONE P285/74R24.5, MODEL R299, LF93PSI, POSSIBLE STEERING PROBLEM. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *SLC

NHTSA complaint #563744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waterloo, NY 1 injured

TIRES

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 TIRE FAILURE, BRIDGESTONE P285/74R24.5, MODEL R299, LF93PSI, POSSIBLE STEERING PROBLEM. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *SLC

NHTSA complaint #563744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waterloo, NY 1 injured

STEERING

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 TIRE FAILURE, BRIDGESTONE P285/74R24.5, MODEL R299, LF93PSI, POSSIBLE STEERING PROBLEM. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *SLC

NHTSA complaint #563744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waterloo, NY 1 injured

STEERING

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 TIRE FAILURE, BRIDGESTONE P285/74R24.5, MODEL R299, LF93PSI, POSSIBLE STEERING PROBLEM. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *SLC

NHTSA complaint #563744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waterloo, NY 1 injured

TIRES

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 TIRE FAILURE, BRIDGESTONE P285/74R24.5, MODEL R299, LF93PSI, POSSIBLE STEERING PROBLEM. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *SLC

NHTSA complaint #563744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Clyde, OH Crash 1 injured

TIRES

1997 CONVENTIONAL FRONT STEER TIRE BLEW OUT. *TS THE DRIVER WENT OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROADWAY, STRUCK A DITCH CONTINUED ON THROUGH THE RIGHT-OF-WAY FENCE ACROSS A FIELD AND STRUCK ANOTHER FENCE AND SEVERAL TREES.

NHTSA complaint #10166930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Staten Island, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

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).

NHTSA complaint #10052208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Staten Island, NY

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

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).

NHTSA complaint #10052208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Staten Island, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DRUM

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).

NHTSA complaint #10052208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Girard, OH

TIRES

VEHICLE STRUCK A MUD FLAP THAT SEPARATED FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE TO TRAILER TIRE.*MR THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING IN THE RIGHT LANE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE TIRE AND MUD FLAP BRACKET HIT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE ON A TRAILER DRIVEN BY ANOTHER GENTLEMAN TRAVELING IN THE CENTER LANE.

NHTSA complaint #10048316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waterloo, NY 1 injured

STEERING

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 TIRE FAILURE, BRIDGESTONE P285/74R24.5, MODEL R299, LF93PSI, POSSIBLE STEERING PROBLEM. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *SLC

NHTSA complaint #563744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waterloo, NY 1 injured

TIRES

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 TIRE FAILURE, BRIDGESTONE P285/74R24.5, MODEL R299, LF93PSI, POSSIBLE STEERING PROBLEM. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *SLC

NHTSA complaint #563744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waterloo, NY 1 injured

STEERING

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 TIRE FAILURE, BRIDGESTONE P285/74R24.5, MODEL R299, LF93PSI, POSSIBLE STEERING PROBLEM. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *SLC

NHTSA complaint #563744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waterloo, NY 1 injured

STEERING

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 TIRE FAILURE, BRIDGESTONE P285/74R24.5, MODEL R299, LF93PSI, POSSIBLE STEERING PROBLEM. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *SLC

NHTSA complaint #563744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waterloo, NY 1 injured

TIRES

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 TIRE FAILURE, BRIDGESTONE P285/74R24.5, MODEL R299, LF93PSI, POSSIBLE STEERING PROBLEM. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *SLC

NHTSA complaint #563744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waterloo, NY 1 injured

TIRES

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 TIRE FAILURE, BRIDGESTONE P285/74R24.5, MODEL R299, LF93PSI, POSSIBLE STEERING PROBLEM. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *SLC

NHTSA complaint #563744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Granger, IN

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

THIS 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.

NHTSA complaint #708021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Granger, IN

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

THIS 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.

NHTSA complaint #708021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Granger, IN

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THIS 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.

NHTSA complaint #708021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Granger, IN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

THIS 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.

NHTSA complaint #708021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.