AI Damage1999 Freightliner FL-70: common problems
Owners of the 1999 Freightliner FL-70 filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and service brakes. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 5
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 40% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 20% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 20% of all complaints
- 4 Tires 20% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (40% of all).
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (20% of all).
- Steering: 1 complaints (20% of all).
- Tires: 1 complaints (20% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 5 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 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.
1999 freightliner fl70 left rear tire blew out and debris hit another vehicle. The consumer stated he felt a vibration, then he saw tread every where. The left rear recap had come apart.
The number of complaints to spicer and freightliner are growing daily as witnessed on the expeditor forum website. Please look into this matter of serious consequense of losing control while driving these vehicles. No safety defect (s) mentioned in summary.
Ultimately the transmission failed completed and had to be replaced. The second transmission of the same type had the same problem of jumping out of gear before finally locking up. Dealer repair specialist have told me of manufacturer defects in this transmission.
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 14,282 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 39% most complained about).
On average one model year of the FL-70 has 4 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 5, above average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- 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 1999 Freightliner FL-70?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, service brakes, steering. Total complaints: 5. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: tires: bulges, blowouts (20%), transmission slipping (20%), vibration (20%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1999 Freightliner FL-70?
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 1999 Freightliner FL-70 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 1999 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.