1989 Freightliner Freightliner recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
5 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. THE SPRING BRAKE CHAMBERS MOUNTED ON TAG AXLES WITH MOUNTING STUDS ALIGNED HORIZONTALLY INSTEAD OF VERTICALLY CAN RESULT IN FRACTURE OF THE BRAKE CHAMBER HOUSING BASE WHICH LIMITS THE APPLICATION OF SERVICE BRAKES ON THE AFFECTED WHEEL.
What could happen: LIMITED APPLICATION OF SERVICE BRAKES ON A WHEELINCREASES STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
The fix: REPLACE THE BRAKE CHAMBERS WITH CHAMBERS THAT HAVE BEEN REINFORCED FOR HORIZONTAL MOUNTING.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1989 FREIGHTLINER.
- Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 93V069000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:CHAMBER
Summary: THE SPRING BRAKE CHAMBERS MOUNTED ON TAG AXLES WITH MOUNTING STUDS ALIGNED HORIZONTALLY INSTEAD OF VERTICALLY CAN RESULT IN FRACTURE OF THE BRAKE CHAMBER HOUSING BASE WHICH LIMITS THE APPLICATION OF SERVICE BRAKES ON THE AFFECTED WHEEL.
Consequence: LIMITED APPLICATION OF SERVICE BRAKES ON A WHEELINCREASES STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE THE BRAKE CHAMBERS WITH CHAMBERS THAT HAVE BEEN REINFORCED FOR HORIZONTAL MOUNTING.
Notes: SYSTEM: BRAKES.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY TRUCKS WITH SPRING BRAKE TYPE MGM BRAKE CHAMBERSINSTALLED ON ROCKWELL TAG AXLES.
2. Steering
What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. THERE MAY BE EXCESSIVE TORQUING OF THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN PINCH BOLTS.
What could happen: BOLTS COULD FRACTURE, ADVERSELY AFFECTING STEERINGCONTROL WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
The fix: REPLACE SUSPECT PINCH BOLTS.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1989 FREIGHTLINER.
- Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 89V083000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
Summary: THERE MAY BE EXCESSIVE TORQUING OF THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN PINCH BOLTS.
Consequence: BOLTS COULD FRACTURE, ADVERSELY AFFECTING STEERINGCONTROL WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE SUSPECT PINCH BOLTS.
Notes: SYSTEM: LOWER STEERING COLUMN PINCH BOLTS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HIGH CAB OVER ENGINE AND LONG CONVENTIONAL TRUCKS.
3. Steering
What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. CERTAIN STEERING GEAR PITMAN ARM PINCH BOLTS MAY BE DEFECTIVE; ALSO, TORQUING MAY HAVE BEEN ABOVE SPECIFICATION.
What could happen: BOLTS COULD FAIL RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROLWITH POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.
The fix: REPLACE PITMAN ARM PINCH BOLTS.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1989 FREIGHTLINER.
- Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 89V082000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STEERING:LINKAGES
Summary: CERTAIN STEERING GEAR PITMAN ARM PINCH BOLTS MAY BE DEFECTIVE; ALSO, TORQUING MAY HAVE BEEN ABOVE SPECIFICATION.
Consequence: BOLTS COULD FAIL RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROLWITH POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE PITMAN ARM PINCH BOLTS.
Notes: SYSTEM: STEERING/PITMAN ARM PINCH BOLTS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HIGH CAB OVER ENGINE, LONG CONVENTIONAL AND LOW CAB FORWARDTRUCKS WITH HFB STEERING GEARS.
4. Seats
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. THE SEAT INSERT MATERIAL DOES NOT MEET THE FLAMMABILITY REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 302.
What could happen: TRUCKS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS 302.
The fix: REMOVE AND REPLACE ALL SUSPECT SEAT UPHOLSTERY.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1989 FREIGHTLINER.
- Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 89V134000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEATS
Summary: THE SEAT INSERT MATERIAL DOES NOT MEET THE FLAMMABILITY REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 302.
Consequence: TRUCKS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS 302.
Remedy: REMOVE AND REPLACE ALL SUSPECT SEAT UPHOLSTERY.
Notes: SYSTEM: SEATS/FMVSS 302.VEHICLE DESCCRIPTION: HIGH CAB OVER ENGINE AND LONG CONVENTIONAL TRUCKS.
5. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. WHEN SEAT BELTS ARE NOT BEING WORN, ABRADING OF THE WEBBING MAY OCCUR AT THE D-RING.
What could happen: SEAT BELT MAY NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN OCCUPANT IN CASEOF AN ACCIDENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN MORE SERIOUS INJURIES.
The fix: REPLACE SEAT BELT WEBBING.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1989 FREIGHTLINER.
- Book a repair at any authorized Freightliner dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 89V020000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT BELTS
Summary: WHEN SEAT BELTS ARE NOT BEING WORN, ABRADING OF THE WEBBING MAY OCCUR AT THE D-RING.
Consequence: SEAT BELT MAY NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN OCCUPANT IN CASEOF AN ACCIDENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN MORE SERIOUS INJURIES.
Remedy: REPLACE SEAT BELT WEBBING.
Notes: SYSTEM: SEAT BELT.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 3 POINT SEAT BELTS ANDBOSTROM SMARTSEATS.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Digital tire pressure gauge
- 1989 Freightliner Freightliner owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Suspension (1), Brakes (1), Hydraulic (1), Transmission / drivetrain (1), Airbags (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (2)
11/18/2008 · Suspension
CUSTOMER COMPLAINT OF TRUCK NOT MOVING WITHOUT THE POWER DIVIDER LOCKED IN. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ATLANTA GEAR & AXLE, INC. IN ATLANTA GA THIS PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED HOWEVER OTHER MAJOR PROBLEMS WERE FOUND SUCH AS: REAR RIDE HEIGHT LEVELING VALVE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND PROPERLY ADJUSTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, THE VALVE IS WORKING IMPROPERLY AND THIS WILL CAUS…
07/21/1998 · Electrical system
RECALL WORK DENIED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS (ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT).