LOSS OF HYDRAULIC BRAKE PADS, LOCKED UP CALIPERS, ACTUAL LOSS OF WHEEL CALIPERS WHEN BACKING UP, INCONSISTANT BRAKE WEAR, EQUALIZER WARNING SWITCH N/A FOR MASTER CYLINDER, DATE LISTED IS FIRST OCCURANCE, ALMOST WENT OVER STEEP 40 FOOT DROPOFF DUE TO SWITCH N/A IN MOUNTAINS ON SLICK ROAD. *NLM
1997 Freightliner Business Class
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Business Class years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 2 of 2 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Parking Brake. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
1 reportsOfficial recalls
603V246000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Jul 10, 2003
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULES ON THE C8.3G AND L10G ENGINES, THE ECM DOES NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO DETECT A THROTTLE FAIL-SAFE ENGINE SHUTDOWN COMMAND. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNANTICIPATED, UNCOMMANDED OPEN THROTTLE CONDITION WITHOUT WARNING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS EVENT OCCURS, THE VEHICLE OPERATOR WILL NOT HAVE CONTROL OF THE ENGINE SPEED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: CUMMINS WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE ECM. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-800-343-7357 OR FREIGHTLINER AT 1-503-745-5219.
02V108001 · Parking Brake:conventional:mechanical:linkage And Cable
Apr 10, 2002
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR BRAND 12" X 4" DCM DRUM PARKING BRAKE, THE BOLTS USED TO ATTACH THE PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY TO THE FLANGE YOKE ARE TOO LARGE AND CAN INTERFERE WITH THE PROPER ENGAGEMENT OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND POSSIBLY DISENGAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IMPROPER ENGAGEMENT OF THE PARKING BRAKE COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ATTACHING BOLTS WITH THE CORRECT SIZE BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 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.
00V357000 · Service Brakes, Air:controls, Pedals And Linkages
Nov 3, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSH ROD THAT ACTIVATES THE SERVICE BRAKES COULD FRACTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSH ROD.
00V232002 · Service Brakes, Air:antilock
Aug 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 & remedy
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.
99V065000 · Service Brakes, Air
Mar 29, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A BENDIX ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). THE REAR AXLE ABS MODULATING VALVES MAY BE PLUMBED INCORRECTLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE THE REAR AXLE SERVICE BRAKES, WHEN IN THE ABS MODE, TO NOT MODULATE AS INTENDED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR AXLE ABS MODULATING VALVE SUPPLY AND OUTLET PORT FOR CORRECT PLUMBING AND RE-PLUMB IF NECESSARY.
98V052000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan
Mar 4, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCK-TRACTORS EQUIPPED WITH 26" 8-BLADE METAL ENGINE COOLING FANS. THE FAN BLADES CAN FATIGUE CRACK AND EVENTUALLY SEPARATE FROM THE FAN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE FAN BLADE BREAKS WHILE A PERSON WAS WORKING IN THE ENGINE, PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE FANS WITH FANS WHICH ARE MORE DURABLE.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1EA02036 · Abs Corrosion Extends Stopping Dist
Opened Dec 11, 2002 · Closed Jan 26, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
THE TONE RING TOOTH PROFILE OF AN UNCOATED HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKE DEGRADES AFTER EXPOSURE TO CORROSIVE ENVIRONMENTS.WHEN THE TONE RING TOOTH PROFILE HAS DEGRADED IN FREIGHTLINER VEHICLES, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES RELIABLY TO WARN THE OPERATOR TO HAVE THE ABS SYSTEM SERVICED.IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INQUIRY, FREIGHTLINER HAS ISSUED INFORMATION TO ALL AFFECTED OWNERS THAT ALERTS OWNERS TO THE IMPORTANCE OF RESPONDING TO THE ILLUMINATED ABS WARNING LIGHT.FREIGHTLINER ADOPTED COATED ROTORS DURING 2002 (DATE VARIES BY MODEL). SINCE NEITHER ODI NOR FREIGHTLINER HAVE ACCURATE DATA TO FORECAST THE CORROSION RESISTANCE OF COATED ROTORS, ODI PLANS TO CONDUCT A FUTURE SURVEY AT FREIGHTLINER (IN 18-24 MONTHS) TO EVALUATE THE DURABILITY OF THE COATED ROTORS.
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