Vehicle speed control (Freightliner)
Vehicle recall 96V-181-001. NHTSA received FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION’s report on Sep 24, 1996.
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The short answer
NHTSA received FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION’s report on Sep 24, 1996. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 20, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
IF UNINTENTIONAL CRANKING OF THE ENGINE OCCURS, PERSONS WORKING IN THE VICINITY OF THE ENGINE COULD BE INJURED AND THE VEHICLE COULD MOVE.
THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A DETROIT DIESEL OPTIMIZED IDLE SYSTEM.
IF THE IGNITION IS TURNED ON AND THE FUSE FOR THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) POWER FEED LINE IS REMOVED OR BURNED OUT, THE SAFETY FEATURES DESIGNED TO PREVENT INJURY TO PERSONS WORKING IN THE VICINITY OF THE ENGINE WILL BE BYPASSED, AND UNINTENTIONAL CRANKING OF THE ENGINE WILL OCCUR.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Vehicle speed control.
What should you do?
DETROIT DIESEL DISTRIBUTORS WILL REWIRE THE VEHICLES USING A REVISED ECM WHICH WILL ELIMINATE UNINTENTIONAL CRANKING.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: OWNER NOTIFICATION:OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 23, 1996.NOTE:OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE 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 1-503-735-8000 OR DETROIT DIESEL AT 1-313-592-7357.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 258 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- Freightliner FLDand 1995 and 1996, before the model years listed here
- Freightliner Centuryand 1995 and 1996, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file before 2010 (FLAT_RCL_PRE_2010).
Released Oct 20, 2026 and checked Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 20, 2026.