Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1997 Freightliner Business Class, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Structure1
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
- Parking brake1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Recalls in Canada
6 Transport Canada recalls for the 1997 Freightliner Business Class.
| 2005139 10 May 2005 | Fuel System On certain vehicles equipped with Cummins ISB diesel engine, the fuel lift pump could fail to transfer fuel appropriately creating an engine stall condition. S… |
| 2003017 24 Jan 2003 | Brakes On certain vehicles, the 12" X 4" DCM Drum Parking Brake Assemblies were fastened to the brake flange yoke with 1.25" attaching bolts. These bolts may interfer… |
| 2002197 1 Nov 2002 | 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 … |
| 2000288 6 Dec 2000 | Brakes On certain vehicles, the brake pedal push rod that activates the service brakes may fracture. This could result in a vehicle crash without prior warning. Corr… |
| 2000172 28 Aug 2000 | 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 mor… |
| 1998041 18 Mar 1998 | Engine NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS B AND C SERIES ENGINES. THE FAN BLADES MAY EXPERIENCE STRESS LEVELS HIGHER THAN ANTICIPATED WHICH CAN CAUSE FATIGUE CRACKS… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSH ROD THAT ACTIVATES THE SERVICE BRAKES COULD FRACTURE.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A BENDIX ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). THE REAR AXLE ABS MODULATING VALVES MAY BE PLUMBED INCORRECTLY.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Freightliner told its dealers about the 1997 Freightliner Business Class: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10141697 | sb2057 New Surge Tank Design |
| 10141696 | sb2056 Transmission Oil Line Removal and Installation |
| 10141675 | sb2032 Gates PowerGrip Hose Clamps, Replacement |
| 10141672 | sb2028 Engine Coolant Changes |
| 10029985 | FREIGHTLINER TRUCK: STEER AXLE MAINTENANCE, AAC AND MERITOR 6000LB AND 8000LB AXLES: THIS BULLETIN IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE PROCEDURE TO BE ADDED TO DTNA MAINTENANCE MANUALS FOR ALL MODELS WITH THESE AXLE RATINGS. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THESE PROCEDURES BE ADOPTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
ABS CORROSION EXTENDS STOPPING DIST
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation