Vehicle recall 81V101000 · September 1, 1981

1981 Freightliner Freightliner

The four bolts used to attach each fuel tank support bracket to the frame contain "quench cracks" due to improper heat treatment in the manufacturing process.

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

Summary: The four bolts used to attach each fuel tank support bracket to the frame contain "quench cracks" due to improper heat treatment in the manufacturing process. These defective bolts could give way, allowing the fuel tank to become dislodged from the bracket or the bracket from the frame.
Remedy: All bolts and nuts used to attach the fuel tank brackets to the frames will be replaced at no charge to owner.
Notes: Vehicle description: trucks.system: fuel; fuel tank bracket bolts.consequences of defect: the possibility exists for the hanging tank to contactthe tires of the drive axle and disrupt proper control of the vehicle. Thepossibility also exists for the dislodged tank to slide into a traffic lane,presenting a hazard to other drivers. An accident could occur in either case.

Recall details

NHTSA campaign: 81V101000
Reported to NHTSA: September 1, 1981
Filed by: FREIGHTLINER CORP.
Owner notification: December 9, 1981
Vehicles potentially affected: 195
Initiated by: the manufacturer
Components: Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Mounting

Recall 81V101000 on nhtsa.gov, with the manufacturer’s documents

Vehicles covered

As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.

Freightliner Freightliner (1981): 1981

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