Safety Recall NHTSA · 96V181001 Reported September 24, 1996

Freightliner/optimized idle system

Q: What is recall 96V181001?

NHTSA recall 96V181001 was issued by Freightliner Llc on September 24, 1996. It addresses: Freightliner/optimized idle system. The recall affects approximately 258 vehicles , with the defect involving the N/A component.

Q: Is my vehicle included in this recall?

The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls . NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.

Q: How long do I have to get a recall repair done?

There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.

Freightliner Llc · N/A · 258 vehicles potentially affected

NHTSA ID

96V181001

Manufacturer Campaign

NR (Not Reported)

Manufacturer

Freightliner Llc

Component

N/A

Vehicles Affected

258

Recall Type

Vehicle

Report Received

September 24, 1996

Defect Summary

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.

Safety Consequence

If unintentional cranking of the engine occurs, persons working in the vicinity of the engine could be injured and the vehicle could move.

Corrective Action

Detroit diesel distributors will rewire the vehicles using a revised ecm which will eliminate unintentional cranking.

What you should do

Look up your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm this recall applies to your vehicle.
Contact an authorized Freightliner Llc dealer and reference recall ID 96V181001 or campaign NR (Not Reported).
Schedule the free repair. By federal law, the manufacturer must remedy the defect at no cost.

View Official NHTSA Notice →

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FAQ: Recall 96V181001

Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.

What is recall 96V181001?

NHTSA recall 96V181001 was issued by Freightliner Llc on September 24, 1996. It addresses: Freightliner/optimized idle system. The recall affects approximately 258 vehicles, with the defect involving the N/A component.

How do I get this recall repaired?

Contact any authorized Freightliner Llc dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 96V181001 or the manufacturer campaign number NR (Not Reported). Under federal law, the repair is completely free regardless of vehicle age or owner history.

Is my vehicle included in this recall?

The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.

How long do I have to get a recall repair done?

There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.

Where does the data on this page come from?

All information on this page is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation public dataset for NHTSA recalls. Last refreshed: 2026-05-22. For the most current official notice, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.