RecallMyCar

1985 Freightliner Conventional Recalls, Complaints & Specs

7 safety recalls list the 1985 Freightliner Conventional. Check your own VIN below.

7
safety recalls
0
owner complaints to NHTSA

7 safety recalls for the 1985 Freightliner Conventional

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Linkages (steering)

    NHTSA 88V160000 Reported 92 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER CORP.

    Steering arm may fail if used on eaton efa12f4 from axle in conjunction with ross hfb70 power steering gear.

    Remedy: Install a nonadjustable 1500 PSI power steering pump pressure relief valve to limit steering arm forces. Replace steering arm with a design capable of withstanding higher forces. Adjust maximum poppet valve settings to…

  2. Anchorage (seat belts)

    NHTSA 87V192000 Reported 180 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER CORP.

    Fastener that connects the harness belt d ring to the b pillar may not be long enough to provide full thread engagement with the anchorage weld nut.

    Remedy: Replace mounting hardware with hex shoulder bolt and .55 inch spacer.

  3. Chamber (service brakes)

    NHTSA 87V147000 Reported 41 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER CORP.

    Incorrect size air brake actuator chambers were installed on the drive axles.

    Remedy: Replace drive axle brake chambers with correct size chambers.

  4. Cables (electrical system)

    NHTSA 87V020000 Reported 3,250 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER CORP.

    Under certain conditions, an electrical short circuit can develop.

    Remedy: Replace existing picture frame type battery retainer with an i frame retainer and install convoluted tubing over positive battery cable.

  5. Retractor (seat belts)

    NHTSA 86V137000 Reported 102 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER CORP.

    Seat belts can loosen as the truck is driven. Consequence of defect: driver and passenger would not be properly restrained in event of a sudden stop or crash.

    Remedy: Replace the non locking retractor seat belts with automatic locking retractor seat belts.

  6. Body (structure)

    NHTSA 86V118000 Reported 6,800 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER CORP.

    The handhold mounting system, which consists of a tubular handle held in three places by cast aluminum brackets and attached to the engine exhaust muffler heat shield. Vibration from this system causes the handhold parts to wear. Consequence of defect: if the parts wear thin the possibility exists that the handhold might give way under…

    Remedy: Replace the end brackets with a modified design utilizing a rubber isolater. Also, add a plastic sleeve to the center bracket for isolation.

  7. Steering wheel/handle bar (steering)

    NHTSA 86V106000 Reported 78 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER CORP.

    Steering column mounting bolts may be absent, leaving only the knee pad to hold the steering wheel and column in place. Consequence of defect: under certain driving conditions, knee pad attaching bolts may not be sufficient, allowing the steering column and wheel to come loose while the truck is being driven. This could result in loss…

    Remedy: Install clamps and bolts, if missing, or check existing bolts for tightness.

No owner complaints on file

NHTSA has no owner complaints on file for the 1985 Freightliner Conventional. For context, the average model year in NHTSA's database has dozens; a zero can mean a reliable vehicle, a rare one, or both.

Compare Freightliner Conventional model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Freightliner Conventional model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1975 Freightliner Conventional10
1976 Freightliner Conventional20
1977 Freightliner Conventional20
1978 Freightliner Conventional10
1979 Freightliner Conventional20
1982 Freightliner Conventional20
1983 Freightliner Conventional40
1984 Freightliner Conventional41
1985 Freightliner Conventional70
1986 Freightliner Conventional61
1987 Freightliner Conventional40
1988 Freightliner Conventional20
1989 Freightliner Conventional01
1990 Freightliner Conventional01
1991 Freightliner Conventional02
1992 Freightliner Conventional02
1993 Freightliner Conventional06
1994 Freightliner Conventional01
1995 Freightliner Conventional07
1996 Freightliner Conventional15
1997 Freightliner Conventional05
1998 Freightliner Conventional05
1999 Freightliner Conventional011
2000 Freightliner Conventional012
2001 Freightliner Conventional07
2002 Freightliner Conventional12
2007 Freightliner Conventional04
2008 Freightliner Conventional02
2018 Freightliner Conventional01

Checking a specific 1985 Freightliner Conventional

How do I know if my 1985 Freightliner Conventional has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 7 campaigns currently list the 1985 Freightliner Conventional; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Freightliner dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 86V106000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Freightliner models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.