1999 Freightliner Argosy
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1999 Freightliner Argosy is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.
1999 Freightliner Argosy at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1999 Freightliner Argosy recalls 9
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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT HUBS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 20, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0…
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRW TIE ROD ENDS ON CERTAIN MERITOR AXLES. THE TIE ROD AND DRAG LINK BALL STUD ENDS CONTAIN BEARINGS THAT ARE BELOW THE SPECIFIED CASE DEPTH AND/OR HARDNESS.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE ALL AFFECTED TIE RODS AND DRAG LINKS WITH DIFFERENT DESIGNED ENDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 8, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONT…
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS, SCHOOL BUS AND MOTOR HOME CHASSIS, AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES MANUFACTURED BY TRW. THE SUSPECT TIE RODS CONTAIN 24-DL MODEL BALL SOCKETS. CERTAIN OF THE TIE ROD BALL-SOCKET BEARINGS HAVE A BELOW-SPECIFICATION CASE DEPTH AND/OR HARDNESS, WHICH CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE WEAR OF THE SOCKET.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE BALL SOCKETS AND/OR DRAG LINKS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 22, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712 O…
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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS ECU.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS BUILT WITH DUAL LEAF SPRING TYPE AIR RIDE SUSPENSIONS AND VEHICLES BUILT WITH SINGLE LEAF SPRING TYPE AIR RIDE SUSPENSIONS. REAR SUSPENSION SPRINGS CAN FRACTURE THROUGH THE CENTER BOLT HOLE AFTER VEHICLE ASSEMBLY.
Fix: FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SINGLE LEAF SPRINGS, DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE ALL SPRINGS. FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DUAL LEAF SPRINGS, DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR CRACKED SPRINGS AND REPLACE IF CRACKED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CERTAIN 12 VOLT POWER OUTLETS. AN UNPLUGGED HOLE IN THE FLOORBOARD CAN ALLOW ROAD SALTS AND MOISTURE INTO AN AREA WHERE A 12 VOLT POWER OUTLET IS MOUNTED.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT ALL VEHICLES TO DETERMINE IF A FLOORBOARD PLUG WAS INSTALLED. ON VEHICLES FOUND WITHOUT A PLUG, A NEW OUTLET AND PLUG WILL BE INSTALLED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE BRAKE PEDAL PIVOT PIN RETAINERS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY INSTALLED.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE PEDAL PIVOT PIN WITH A LONGER PIN THAT PREVENTS MIS-INSTALLATION OF THE RETAINING HITCH PIN.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE OUTBOARD BEARING ON THE STEERING AXLE HUBS CAN FAIL DUE TO WATER INTRUSION THROUGH A HUBCAP VENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE HUBCAP AND INSPECT FOR WATER INTRUSION AND CORROSION. THE HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED IF THERE IS EVIDENCE OF CORROSION. A NON-VENTED HUBCAP WILL BE INSTALLED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER IS LOCATED CLOSE TO THE FLOORBOARD WHERE AN OBJECT ON THE FLOOR MAY INADVERTENTLY HOLD THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER IN. THE LIGHTER CIRCUIT BREAKER ONLY PROTECTS THE CIRCUIT ON THE FIRST EVENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER ELEMENT WITH ONE THAT HAS A PERIPHERAL RING AND PUSHBUTTON THAT PREVENTS INADVERTENT ACTIVATION. THE CIRCUIT PROTECTION WILL ALSO BE CHANGED FROM A BREAKER TO A FUSE.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
Investigations & service bulletins
Manufacturer service bulletins 26
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 26.
Revised Technical Service Letter for Series 60 and Series 50 Camshaft Timing Specifications. Camshaft timing, valve lash, injector height, and Jake Brake lash are all very important specifications that must be followed closely in order to optimize the performa…
Bulletin 04TS-43REV4 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2021Revised Freightliner Service Bulletin for Axle Flange Gasket Replaced with O-Ring. Revision removed steps instructing removal and installation of wheels. Daimler Trucks North America has released a new axle shaft to hub rubber O-ring (part number 11-30728-000)…
Bulletin SB35-036 · Power Train · Dec 2020Updated Freightliner Service Bulletin for Powernet Troubleshooting Guide - Batteries, Path, Alternator, and Starter. This bulletin replaces the version dated 5/31/2017. Information is added about the BCT-460DTNA PowerNet Assessment Tool. When troubleshooting P…
Bulletin SB54-278 · Electrical System, Equipment · Oct 2020Freightliner Service Bulletin for Axle Flange Gasket Replaced with O-Ring. Daimler Trucks North America has released a new axle shaft to hub rubber O-ring (part number 11-30728-000) as a replacement for the paper gasket (part number 11-14418-000). The new O-ri…
Bulletin SB35-036 · Power Train, Equipment · Oct 2020Warranty Information Letter sent to customers regarding new refrigerator supplier for returning parts.
Bulletin 19-008WI · Equipment · Aug 2019Warranty Information Letter - Expanded guidelines for paint-related claims sent out to Freightliner, Western star, Thomas Built Bus, Export and Direct warranty customers
Bulletin 19-009WI · Structure · Aug 2019Service Bulletin- sb54311 ICU Odometer Programming
Bulletin sb54311 · Electrical System · Mar 2019fp00024 Cable-Tie Reference
Bulletin fp00024 · Equipment · Mar 2019Reminder: Paper Service Bulletin Mailings Are Discontinued
Bulletin sb00044 · Equipment · Feb 2019Service Information Bulletin- Exhaust Gas Recirculation Crossover Pipe
Bulletin 1212-18 · Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine, Equipment Adaptive/mobility · Dec 2018Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the ARGOSY. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 10
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1999 Freightliner Argosy. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Suspension
On certain vehicles, manufacturing defects in the front axle unitized hubs may cause premature spalling of the wheel bearings. This condition will lead to eventual breakdown of the bearing and potential loss of vehicle control amidst the presence of warning signals such as activation of ABS warning light, steering wheel vibration, brake drag, noise and vehicle pull. Correction:…
Transport Canada #2003179 · Jul 2003Other
On certain vehicles, fatigue cracks can initiate in the weld joining the bracket pin to its mounting flange on the fifth wheel assembly. Weld failures could lead to the loss of the pin and the potential separation of the fifth wheel top plate from its mounting structure without warning. Correction: Dealers will replace the bracket pins.
Transport Canada #2003158 · Jun 2003Steering
The TRW tie rod and drag link ball stud ends contain bearings that are below the specified case depth and/or hardness. This can lead to premature wear out and a possible separation of the ball stud from the socket and loss of steering control. Correction: All affected tie rods and drag links with different design ends will be replaced.
Transport Canada #2002197 · Nov 2002Steering
Certain vehicles equipped with tie rod assemblies manufactured by TRW. The suspect tie rods contain 24-DL model ball sockets. Certain of the tie rod ball-socket bearings have a below specification case depth and/or hardness, which can lead to premature wear of the socket. If this condition occurs, the driver can lose partial control of the right front wheel, possibly resulting…
Transport Canada #2001085 · Apr 2001Steering
On certain vehicles, the TRW tie rod and drag link ball stud ends contain bearing that are below the specified case depth and/or hardness. This can lead to premature wear out and a possible separation of the ball stud from the socket and loss of steering control. Correction: All affected tie rods and drag links with different design ends will be replaced. Note: this supercedes…
Transport Canada #2000202 · Sep 2000Brakes
On certain vehicles, the Bendix ABS ECU misinterprets certain signals from wheel ends which can result in the temporary loss of braking capability on one or more wheel positions for several seconds. This response results from either an ABS cable that has chafed through the insulation and contacted a rotating part or a misaligned tone ring that has been damaged by contacting oth…
Transport Canada #2000172 · Aug 2000Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Freightliner Argosy
The Freightliner Argosy is a model line of cabover trucks that was produced by the American truck manufacturer Freightliner from the 1999 to 2020 model years. Developed as the replacement for the FLB cabover, the Argosy was a Class 8 truck, configured primarily for highway use. Competing against the International 9800, Kenworth K100E, and Peterbilt 362, the Argosy was the final Class 8 cabover marketed in North America, following the decline in use of the design in the United States and Canada.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.