Total Complaints
7 filings
FREIGHTLINER FREIGHTLINER · model year
1989 FREIGHTLINER FREIGHTLINER
7 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1989FREIGHTLINERFREIGHTLINER carries 7 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1989 FREIGHTLINER is electrical system with 1 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic (1) and power train:driveline (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 35 investigation files overlapping the 1989 FREIGHTLINER. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
7
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:REAR | 1 |
| AIR BAGS | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20081118SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CUSTOMER COMPLAINT OF TRUCK NOT MOVING WITHOUT THE POWER DIVIDER LOCKED IN. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ATLANTA GEAR & AXLE, INC. IN ATLANTA GA THIS PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED HOWEVER OTHER MAJOR PROBLEMS WERE FOUND SUCH AS: REAR RIDE HEIGHT LEVELING VALVE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND PROPERLY ADJUSTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, THE VALVE IS WORKING IMPROPERLY AND THIS WILL CAUSE PREMATURE DRIVELINE FAILURE. ALSO THE CLUTCH BRAKE ON THE TRANSMISSION IS MISSING AND THE INPUT SHAFT IS WORN AND NEEDS REPLACED, THE TRANS REAR SEAL IS LEAKING AND THE TRANSMISSION YOKE IS WORN. ALSO THE BRAKES ARE OUT OF ADJUSTMENT B/C THE BRAKE DRUMS ARE COMPLETELY WORN OUT. ALSO NOTICED THAT THE THROUGH SHAFT DRIVELINE IS CRACKED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, ALSO FOUND 3 U-JOINTS WORN OUT. *TR
20081118POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
CUSTOMER COMPLAINT OF TRUCK NOT MOVING WITHOUT THE POWER DIVIDER LOCKED IN. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ATLANTA GEAR & AXLE, INC. IN ATLANTA GA THIS PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED HOWEVER OTHER MAJOR PROBLEMS WERE FOUND SUCH AS: REAR RIDE HEIGHT LEVELING VALVE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND PROPERLY ADJUSTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, THE VALVE IS WORKING IMPROPERLY AND THIS WILL CAUSE PREMATURE DRIVELINE FAILURE. ALSO THE CLUTCH BRAKE ON THE TRANSMISSION IS MISSING AND THE INPUT SHAFT IS WORN AND NEEDS REPLACED, THE TRANS REAR SEAL IS LEAKING AND THE TRANSMISSION YOKE IS WORN. ALSO THE BRAKES ARE OUT OF ADJUSTMENT B/C THE BRAKE DRUMS ARE COMPLETELY WORN OUT. ALSO NOTICED THAT THE THROUGH SHAFT DRIVELINE IS CRACKED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, ALSO FOUND 3 U-JOINTS WORN OUT. *TR
20081118SUSPENSION:REAR
CUSTOMER COMPLAINT OF TRUCK NOT MOVING WITHOUT THE POWER DIVIDER LOCKED IN. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ATLANTA GEAR & AXLE, INC. IN ATLANTA GA THIS PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED HOWEVER OTHER MAJOR PROBLEMS WERE FOUND SUCH AS: REAR RIDE HEIGHT LEVELING VALVE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND PROPERLY ADJUSTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, THE VALVE IS WORKING IMPROPERLY AND THIS WILL CAUSE PREMATURE DRIVELINE FAILURE. ALSO THE CLUTCH BRAKE ON THE TRANSMISSION IS MISSING AND THE INPUT SHAFT IS WORN AND NEEDS REPLACED, THE TRANS REAR SEAL IS LEAKING AND THE TRANSMISSION YOKE IS WORN. ALSO THE BRAKES ARE OUT OF ADJUSTMENT B/C THE BRAKE DRUMS ARE COMPLETELY WORN OUT. ALSO NOTICED THAT THE THROUGH SHAFT DRIVELINE IS CRACKED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, ALSO FOUND 3 U-JOINTS WORN OUT. *TR
20081118AIR BAGS
CUSTOMER COMPLAINT OF TRUCK NOT MOVING WITHOUT THE POWER DIVIDER LOCKED IN. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ATLANTA GEAR & AXLE, INC. IN ATLANTA GA THIS PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED HOWEVER OTHER MAJOR PROBLEMS WERE FOUND SUCH AS: REAR RIDE HEIGHT LEVELING VALVE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND PROPERLY ADJUSTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, THE VALVE IS WORKING IMPROPERLY AND THIS WILL CAUSE PREMATURE DRIVELINE FAILURE. ALSO THE CLUTCH BRAKE ON THE TRANSMISSION IS MISSING AND THE INPUT SHAFT IS WORN AND NEEDS REPLACED, THE TRANS REAR SEAL IS LEAKING AND THE TRANSMISSION YOKE IS WORN. ALSO THE BRAKES ARE OUT OF ADJUSTMENT B/C THE BRAKE DRUMS ARE COMPLETELY WORN OUT. ALSO NOTICED THAT THE THROUGH SHAFT DRIVELINE IS CRACKED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, ALSO FOUND 3 U-JOINTS WORN OUT. *TR
20081118STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
CUSTOMER COMPLAINT OF TRUCK NOT MOVING WITHOUT THE POWER DIVIDER LOCKED IN. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ATLANTA GEAR & AXLE, INC. IN ATLANTA GA THIS PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED HOWEVER OTHER MAJOR PROBLEMS WERE FOUND SUCH AS: REAR RIDE HEIGHT LEVELING VALVE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND PROPERLY ADJUSTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, THE VALVE IS WORKING IMPROPERLY AND THIS WILL CAUSE PREMATURE DRIVELINE FAILURE. ALSO THE CLUTCH BRAKE ON THE TRANSMISSION IS MISSING AND THE INPUT SHAFT IS WORN AND NEEDS REPLACED, THE TRANS REAR SEAL IS LEAKING AND THE TRANSMISSION YOKE IS WORN. ALSO THE BRAKES ARE OUT OF ADJUSTMENT B/C THE BRAKE DRUMS ARE COMPLETELY WORN OUT. ALSO NOTICED THAT THE THROUGH SHAFT DRIVELINE IS CRACKED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, ALSO FOUND 3 U-JOINTS WORN OUT. *TR
20081118POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
CUSTOMER COMPLAINT OF TRUCK NOT MOVING WITHOUT THE POWER DIVIDER LOCKED IN. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ATLANTA GEAR & AXLE, INC. IN ATLANTA GA THIS PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED HOWEVER OTHER MAJOR PROBLEMS WERE FOUND SUCH AS: REAR RIDE HEIGHT LEVELING VALVE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND PROPERLY ADJUSTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, THE VALVE IS WORKING IMPROPERLY AND THIS WILL CAUSE PREMATURE DRIVELINE FAILURE. ALSO THE CLUTCH BRAKE ON THE TRANSMISSION IS MISSING AND THE INPUT SHAFT IS WORN AND NEEDS REPLACED, THE TRANS REAR SEAL IS LEAKING AND THE TRANSMISSION YOKE IS WORN. ALSO THE BRAKES ARE OUT OF ADJUSTMENT B/C THE BRAKE DRUMS ARE COMPLETELY WORN OUT. ALSO NOTICED THAT THE THROUGH SHAFT DRIVELINE IS CRACKED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, ALSO FOUND 3 U-JOINTS WORN OUT. *TR
19981020ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
RECALL WORK DENIED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS (ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT).
Compare 1989FREIGHTLINERFREIGHTLINER to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
PE24032Preliminary EvaluationClosed
EVDM connector plate separation
PE21006Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Halogen Headlights May Cause Fires
PE20014Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Failure
PE20006Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Intermittent Loss of Power Steering Assist
PE18004Preliminary EvaluationClosed
PNDB Electrical Power Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1989 FREIGHTLINER FREIGHTLINER have?▼
The 1989 FREIGHTLINER FREIGHTLINER has 7 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1989 FREIGHTLINER FREIGHTLINER?▼
The most-complained component for the 1989 FREIGHTLINER FREIGHTLINER is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 1 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC and POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE.
Is the 1989 FREIGHTLINER FREIGHTLINER safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.