2000 Freightliner Business Class recalls & complaints

1. Brakes

What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CERTAIN HALDEX BRAKE SYSTEM TWO AND FOUR PORT RELAY VALVES. THE VALVE MAY STICK OPEN WHEN A HIGH-PRESSURE APPLICATION IS RELEASED.

What could happen: WHEN THE VALVE STICKS OPEN, IT CAN RESULT IN A TOTAL LOSS OF AIR FROM EITHER THE SERVICE OR THE PARK BRAKE SYSTEM. THE DRIVER MAY LOSE BRAKING ABILITY UNDER A SERVICE APPLICATION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE VALVES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 17, 2001. 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2000 BUSINESS CLASS.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 01V189001.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-547-0712.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

2. Brakes

What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. 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.

What could happen: IMPROPER ENGAGEMENT OF THE PARKING BRAKE COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

The fix: 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 FREIGHT…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2000 BUSINESS CLASS.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 02V108001.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-547-0712.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

3. Brakes

What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSH ROD THAT ACTIVATES THE SERVICE BRAKES COULD FRACTURE.

What could happen: THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSH ROD.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2000 BUSINESS CLASS.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 00V357000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

4. Trailer Hitches

What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. ON CERTAIN TRUCK TRACTORS EQUIPPED WITH JOST INTERNATIONAL JSK 37U SERIES FIFTH WHEELS, A FATIGUE CRACK CAN DEVELOP IN THE BRACKET PIN WELD UNDER CERTAIN LOADING CONDITIONS.

What could happen: IF LEFT UNDETECTED OR CORRECTED IT COULD LEAD TO THE SEPARATION OF THE FIFTH WHEEL TOP PLATE FROM ITS MOUNTING STRUCTURE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRACKET PINS AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 12, 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 JOST INTERNATIONAL AT 616-846-7700…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2000 BUSINESS CLASS.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 03V227000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-547-0712.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

5. Suspension

What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. 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.

What could happen: SEIZURE OF THE BEARINGS CAN CAUSE WHEEL SEPARATION OR WHEEL END FIRE.

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2000 BUSINESS CLASS.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 03V112000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-547-0712.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

6. Brakes

What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. 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.

What could happen: 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.

The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS ECU.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2000 BUSINESS CLASS.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 00V232002.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

7. Transmission / drivetrain

What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS, SHUTTLE BUSES, TRANSIT BUSES AND STEP VANS EQUIPPED WITH ALLISON 1000 OR 2400 SERIES TRANSMISSIONS. THESE TRANSMISSIONS CAN EXPERIENCE PARK PAWL TO REAR COVER INTERFERENCE DUE TO AN OUT OF FLATNESS CONDITION.

What could happen: THIS COULD CAUSE NON-ENGAGEMENT OF THE PARK PAWL WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT SELECTOR IS MOVED TO THE PARK POSITION, RESULTING IN UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

The fix: ALLISON TRANSMISSION IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE TRANSMISSION FROM THE VEHICLE, REPLACE THE PARK PAWL, AND REINSTALL THE TRANSMISSION IN THE VEHICLE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING SEPTEMBER 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AU…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2000 BUSINESS CLASS.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 00V229001.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-252-5283.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

8. Suspension

What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS BUILT WITH DUAL LEAF SPRING TYPE AIR RIDE SUSPENSIONS AND VEHICLES BUILT WITH SINGLE LEAF SPRING TYPE AIR RIDE SUSPENSIONS. REAR SUSPENSION SPRINGS CAN FRACTURE THROUGH THE CENTER BOLT HOLE AFTER VEHICLE ASSEMBLY.

What could happen: IF UNDETECTED, THE REAR END OF THE SPRING COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSING A HAZARDOUS ROAD DEBRIS SITUATION.

The fix: FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SINGLE LEAF SPRINGS, DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE ALL SPRINGS. FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DUAL LEAF SPRINGS, DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR CRACKED SPRINGS AND REPLACE IF CRACKED.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2000 BUSINESS CLASS.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 00V081000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

9. Wheels / tires

What's wrong, in plain English: A wheel or tire can fail while driving. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH ACCURIDE 22.5 X 8.25 15 TUBELESS DEMOUNTABLE RIMS, PART NO. 32051. CERTAIN RIMS CONTAIN A NON-FUSION AREA IN THE BUTT-WELD OF THE MOUNTING RING. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, THE DEFECT COULD DEVELOP INTO A CRACK ON THE MOUNTING RING.

What could happen: OVER TIME, THE CRACK COULD PROPAGATE AND IF NOT HEEDED, COULD RESULT IN MOUNTING RING FAILURE, POTENTIALLY CAUSING THE RIM TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

The fix: ACCURIDE WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE OR SUSPECT WHEEL RIMS.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2000 BUSINESS CLASS.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 00V190001.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Most complained-about parts: Wheels / tires (1).

Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.