Powered byNHTSA|EPA|Community Reports|Updated

Freightliner Conventional — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Freightliner Conventional model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
42
Years to Avoid
2000
Best Years
2009, 2008, 1989, 1982, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975
2018
2 complaints0 recalls25 TSBs
2017
0 complaints0 recalls25 TSBs
2016
0 complaints0 recalls27 TSBs
2015
0 complaints0 recalls25 TSBs
2014
0 complaints0 recalls20 TSBs
2013
0 complaints0 recalls22 TSBs
2012
0 complaints0 recalls24 TSBs
2011
0 complaints0 recalls24 TSBs
2010
0 complaints0 recalls25 TSBs
2009Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls5 TSBs
2008Best Year
2 complaints0 recalls5 TSBs
2007
4 complaints0 recalls20 TSBs
2006
0 complaints0 recalls18 TSBs
2005
0 complaints0 recalls16 TSBs
2004
0 complaints0 recalls17 TSBs
2003
0 complaints0 recalls17 TSBs
2002
2 complaints1 recalls18 TSBs
2001
9 complaints0 recalls18 TSBs
2000Avoid
14 complaints0 recalls32 TSBs
1999
11 complaints0 recalls31 TSBs
1998
5 complaints0 recalls17 TSBs
1997
15 complaints0 recalls18 TSBs
1996
8 complaints1 recalls18 TSBs
1995
7 complaints0 recalls21 TSBs
1994
1 complaints0 recalls18 TSBs
1993
27 complaints0 recalls17 TSBs
1992
2 complaints0 recalls18 TSBs
1991
2 complaints0 recalls17 TSBs
1990
3 complaints0 recalls1 invest.16 TSBs
1989Best Year
1 complaints0 recalls1 invest.
1988
0 complaints2 recalls1 invest.
1987
0 complaints4 recalls1 invest.
1986
1 complaints6 recalls
1985
0 complaints7 recalls
1984
1 complaints4 recalls
1983
0 complaints4 recalls
1982Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1979Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1978Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1977Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1976Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1975Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Freightliner Conventional Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2000 Freightliner Conventional is the most problematic year, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Freightliner Conventional, consider the 2009, 2008, 1989, 1982, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

42 model years analyzed