Freightliner LLC: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Freightliner LLC reported this defect to federal regulators on Jul 12, 2004 and put the number of vehicles at risk at 3,200. The repair is free for as long as the recall stands.
The defect
ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR ENGINES AND HYDRAULIC BRAKES. A BRAIDED GROUND STRAP FOR THE STARTER MAY RUB ON A STEEL CHASSIS BRAKE LINE POTENTIALLY CAUSING A FLUID LEAK.
The risk
A BRAKE FLUID LEAK CAN REDUCE BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASE THE STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LINE AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY. THE BRAIDED GROUND STRAP WILL BE REPLACED WITH AN INSULATED CABLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 10, 2004. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
7 model years covered
Newest first| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Fires | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 Freightliner FS-65 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 Freightliner FS-65 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 2000 Freightliner FS-65 | 12 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 1999 Freightliner FS-65 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| 1998 Freightliner FS-65 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| 1997 Freightliner FS-65 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 1996 Freightliner FS-65 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What this page is, and what to do next
A recall is not an opinion. It is a Part 573 report a manufacturer is required by federal law to file once it decides a defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety, and it commits them to repairing the vehicle at no cost to the owner. The three passages above are the manufacturer’s own wording as published by NHTSA.
This page describes the campaign. It cannot tell you whether one particular car has already been through the shop — that is tracked by VIN, and only the manufacturer knows it. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a franchised dealer, quoting campaign number 04V343000.
Full record for the 2002 Freightliner FS-65 → · Recalls carrying a do-not-drive advisory → · Where this data comes from →