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#BS-1998-FRECEN-5CAF1998 Freightliner Century
Based on reports from 21 owners and 5 recalls for this exact model.
Preliminary Verdict
Green Light
Based on 21 complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 5 recalls.
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
4 owners reported visibility:windshield wiper/washer issues — failures commonly reported around 55K miles.
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer (4 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
1998 Freightliner Century: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer Issues
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer complaints account for 19% of all reports filed for the 1998 Freightliner Century, with 4 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 54,950 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 55K-mile mark.
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe Issues
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe complaints account for 14% of all reports filed for the 1998 Freightliner Century, with 3 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Fuel System, Gasoline:carburetor System Issues
Fuel System, Gasoline:carburetor System complaints account for 10% of all reports filed for the 1998 Freightliner Century, with 2 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to fuel system, gasoline:carburetor system-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Power Train:axle Assembly Issues
Power Train:axle Assembly complaints account for 10% of all reports filed for the 1998 Freightliner Century, with 2 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to power train:axle assembly-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 1998 Freightliner Century. Recent trend: decreasing.
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Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (5 recalls)
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
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.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRUCK HUB UNITS MANUFACTURED BY SKF EXCLUSIVELY FOR USE ON ARVINMERITOR'S FF98X SERIES NON-DRIVE STEER AXLES, THE HUB UNIT BEARINGS CAN WEAR PREMATURELY.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
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.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE OUTBOARD BEARING ON THE STEERING AXLE HUBS CAN FAIL DUE TO WATER INTRUSION THROUGH A HUBCAP VENT.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE TIE ROD ENDS CAN FRACTURE DUE TO LOW STRESS, HIGH CYCLE, REVERSED BENDING FATIGUE RESULTING FROM A SYSTEM RESONANCE.
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 21 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 5 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Other Freightliner Century Model Years
View all Freightliner Century years →1998 Freightliner Century: Frequently Asked Questions
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10 sections of AI analysis based on 21 owner reports. Know before you buy.