Does the 1997 Freightliner Century have any recalls?

4 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: service brakes, air, visibility, suspension, steering. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.

How do I check if my 1997 Freightliner Century recall has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Freightliner dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 1997 Freightliner Century?

4 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.

1997 Freightliner Century recalls

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

4 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026

For the 1997 Freightliner Century. These apply to the model and year, not to one particular vehicle: check your VIN to see whether yours is included and whether it has been repaired.

Has your Freightliner been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

Check your VIN with NHTSA

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Freightliner dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.

1997 Freightliner Century recalls, newest first

August 7, 2000NHTSA 00V23200235,405 vehicles potentially affected

Service brakes, air › Antilock

Summary: 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: 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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

December 21, 1998NHTSA 98V3260006,720 vehicles potentially affected

Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Linkages

Summary: Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks. The windshield wiper connecting linkage sockets can wear out prematurely due to insufficient greasing during assembly.
Consequence: This can lead to a separation of the linkage and loss of wiper function, impairing the driver's visibility.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the connecting linkages with new links that are properly lubricated.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

April 21, 1998NHTSA 98V08500022,186 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension › Front

Summary: Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with meritor interaxle driveline u-joints. Deflector rings, a part of the system to seal the u-joints from contaminates, are loose. This allows water to enter the u-joint bearing area result in dilution of the lubricant, oxidation of the bearing and seal surfaces, and loss of lubricant.
Consequence: If this problem goes undetected, the interaxle driveline can separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the u-joints with the current design u-joints.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

July 16, 1997NHTSA 97V11200011,366 vehicles potentially affected

Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar

Summary: Vehicle description: heavy duty truck. Leaks through the firewall or steering shaft boots allows water to run down the steering shaft. The steering shaft slip spline corrodes causing it to seize.
Consequence: Increased steering effort can result increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering shaft with a new design that is installed in an inverted orientation so no water can enter the splines.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

Owners have filed 4 complaints about the 1997 Freightliner Century with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public; NHTSA uses them to decide what to investigate.

Crashes reported: 0
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 1
Deaths reported: 0

Most complained-about components

Equipment2
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1
Suspension › Rear › Springs › Leaf spring assembly1
Tires › Sidewall1

Other Freightliner Century years

Other 1997 Freightliner models

Most recalled 1997 vehicles

1997 Ford F-150 (25 recalls)
1997 Honda Civic (16 recalls)
1997 Honda Accord (15 recalls)
1997 Dodge Caravan (14 recalls)
1997 Chevrolet Cavalier (13 recalls)

All of 1997’s most recalled vehicles

Questions

Does the 1997 Freightliner Century have any recalls?: 4 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: service brakes, air, visibility, suspension, steering. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.
How do I check if my 1997 Freightliner Century recall has been fixed?: Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Freightliner dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 1997 Freightliner Century?: 4 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.