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1997 Freightliner XC
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1997 Freightliner XC, covering vehicle speed control, service brakes, hydraulic and equipment, and 1 consumer complaint received since 1999.
The component named most often is electrical system: 666.7 of every 1,000 component mentions for this year, above the 81.5 per 1,000 across all 1997 model-year vehicles and against 166.7 per 1,000 for the Freightliner XC line as a whole.
That is about the same as the average of 0.9 complaints per model year across the 9 Freightliner XC model years on this register.
Complaints were received in the largest number in 1999 (1); the most recent in the file is dated 24 Nov 1999.
Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA. Recall text is the manufacturer's Part 573 report as filed with NHTSA. Complaint file through 15 May 2019; recall file through 24 Sep 2026.
Recalls by model year:
Recall campaigns
Defect, as filed: Vehicle description: chassis built with caterpillar engines and equipped with felsted electronic accelerator pedals. The return springs can break on the accelerator pedals that are equipped with stainless steel or electroplated music wire return springs.
Consequence: This condition could cause the pedal to go to full throttle if both return springs break, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Replacement accelerator pedals equipped with return springs manufactured of music wire with one additional coil on each spring and with an organic coating, eliminating electroplating will be installed.
Filed by FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION (manufacturer campaign FL-271).
Defect, as filed: Vehicle description: recreational vehicle chassis. Interference can occur between the steer axle slack adjusters and the axle knuckle post during a full wheel cut with the brakes applied.
Consequence: This can result in diminished braking effort, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the slack adjusters with one that will provide clearance.
Filed by FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION (manufacturer campaign FL-269).
Defect, as filed: Vehicle description: motor home chassis. The tire pressure on the certification labels are incorrect for the designated gross axle weight rating. This does not comply with requirements of part 567, "certification."
Consequence: This could result in improper inflation of the tires for the gross axle weight rating listed for the chassis.
Remedy: Owners will be mailed an overlay with the correct tire pressure.
Filed by FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION (manufacturer campaign FL-253).
Defect, as filed: Vehicle description: motorhome chassis equipped with a side mount radiator and hydraulic system. The filter gasket for the power steering hydraulic fluid can blow out due to pressure spikes in the system.
Consequence: This can result in a loss of power steering fluid and an eventual loss of power assist to the steering if the leak is undetected.
Remedy: Dealers will reconfigure the power steering hydraulic system to eliminate the pressure spikes.
Filed by FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION (manufacturer campaign FL-243).
Each entry links to the NHTSA record. NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are free of charge at an authorised dealer; check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Component mentions per 1,000 for the 1997 Freightliner XC (black) against all 1997 model-year vehicles in the file (yellow). A complaint can name more than one component.
| Per 1,000 component mentions | 1997 | XC line | All 1997 vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 666.7 | 166.7 | 81.5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 333.3 | 166.7 | 43.7 |
| Component | Mentions | Per 1,000 | Line | All 1997 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 2 | 666.7 | 166.7 | 81.5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 333.3 | 166.7 | 43.7 |
1 unique complaints, 3 component mentions; 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported by complainants. Complaint narratives are not republished.
Complaints by year received
Investigations
No NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation action in the current file names this model year.
Other Freightliner XC model years
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Units in campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 15,000 |
| 1997 | 4 | 1 | 21,738 |
| 1998 | 7 | 0 | 23,366 |
| 1999 | 7 | 4 | 47,141 |
| 2000 | 6 | 1 | 33,405 |
| 2001 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 2,700 |
| 2004 NHTSA | 0 | 1 | — |
| 2005 NHTSA | 1 | 1 | 10,053 |
| 2006 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 10,053 |
Model years with a single campaign and fewer than 25 complaints have no page here; the NHTSA link opens the agency's record for that year.
All Freightliner XC model years · Freightliner: 77 model lines
Questions and answers
How many recalls does the 1997 Freightliner XC have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns name this model year; the most recent, 00V230002, was reported to NHTSA on 5 Sep 2000 and concerns vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal. Across all model years the Freightliner XC line has 13 campaigns.
Is there an open NHTSA investigation into the 1997 Freightliner XC?
No NHTSA investigation in the current file names this model year.
What component do owners of the 1997 Freightliner XC complain about most?
Electrical System: 2 of 3 component mentions (666.7 per 1,000). Next is vehicle speed control with 1. Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA.
How do I get a recall repaired?
NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are performed free of charge by the manufacturer's authorised dealers. Each campaign's remedy text above is the manufacturer's statement as filed with NHTSA. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Where does this data come from?
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation recall, complaint and investigation flat files, public domain, downloaded 24 Sep 2026. Complaint counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; component figures count each component a complaint names. The NHTSA record linked from each campaign is authoritative.
Provenance
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Defects Investigation flat files (recalls, complaints, investigations), public domain, files dated 24 Sep 2026 (recalls) and 15 May 2019 (complaints). Complaints since 1 Jan 1995. Counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; per-1,000 rates divide a component's mentions by all mentions for the same group. Errors in processing are corrected at the next daily build; see corrections and the methodology.