AI Damage1997 Freightliner Century: common problems
Owners of the 1997 Freightliner Century filed 4 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and equipment. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 25% of all complaints
- 2 Equipment 25% of all complaints
- 3 Suspension 25% of all complaints
- 4 Tires 25% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (25% of all).
- Equipment: 1 complaints (25% of all).
- Suspension: 1 complaints (25% of all).
- Tires: 1 complaints (25% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 4 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 64 mph, the exhaust fume came into the cab through the air conditioning system intake. There was a smell of fume present within the vehicle. The problem occurred either while driving or when in an idle position.
While driving 50 mph and without warning rear left leaf separated from wheel frame, resulting in major damage to truck. Dealer has been notified; however unable to remedy the problem.
Continual problem with the air guages being inaccurate, they will not drop to zero when air tanks are drained they still show 15-20 lbs of air pressure they are off 10-20% when air tanks are full, chp inspections at terminal have found all air guages including the guage that was replaced to be inaccurate.
Tire blew out on sidewall resulting in vehicle rollover accident.(bridgestone 295/75r/225).
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 15,521 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 42% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Century has 5 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 4, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Tires. Tire age by DOT code, bulges, wear pattern.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Freightliner Century?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, equipment, suspension. Total complaints: 4. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: A/C or heater (25%), tires: bulges, blowouts (25%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1997 Freightliner Century?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1997 Freightliner Century from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1997 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.