2004 Freightliner Business Class M2 recalls and problems

The 2004 Freightliner Business Class M2 has 9 recalls and 8 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is service brakes.

How the 2004 compares

Highest

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Highest complaint count among 17 Business Class M2 model years — the most of any year.

9recalls

8complaints

1crashes

1fires

0injuries

133,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

Check your VIN →

9 recalls

Fuel System

Sep 16, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V478000 · 73,500 vehicles

Problem: Daimler trucks is recalling certain model year 2004 through 2008 heavy trucks manufactured from July 11, 2003, through September 28, 2007, equipped with EPA04 model MBE4000 engines built with plastic low pressure fuel lines and fuel filters mounted near the center of the engine on the left-hand side. The plastic low pressure fuel line between engine mounted fuel filter and engine block May develop a substantial diesel fuel leak.

Original NHTSA wording

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2008 HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 11, 2003, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 28, 2007, EQUIPPED WITH EPA04 MODEL MBE4000 ENGINES BUILT WITH PLASTIC LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINES AND FUEL FILTERS MOUNTED NEAR THE CENTER OF THE ENGINE ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE. THE PLASTIC LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINE BETWEEN ENGINE MOUNTED FUEL FILTER AND ENGINE BLOCK MAY DEVELOP A SUBSTANTIAL DIESEL FUEL LEAK.

Risk: This could create a road hazard increasing the risk of a crash. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

Original NHTSA wording

THIS COULD CREATE A ROAD HAZARD INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy & notes

Daimler trucks will notify owners and the remedy will be performed by detroit diesel corporation authorized repair facilities. Vehicles will be inspected and the plastic low pressure fuel line will be replaced with a steel low pressure fuel line. This service will be performed free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on October 28, 2011. The safety recall began on February 21, 2012. Owners May contact daimler trucks at 1-800-547-0712.

Daimler trucks' campaign number is 11C-2.owners May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .

Fuel System

Dec 17, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V668000 · 24,650 vehicles

Problem: Daimler trucks north america (dtna) is recalling 24,650 school and non-school buses, motor home chassis, and trucks manufactured from March 9, 2004 through August 18, 2006, equipped with EPA04 certified MBE900 engines, manufactured by detroit diesel between March 1, 2004, and July 31, 2006. The high pressure fuel lines and transfer tubes May fatigue and fracture.

Original NHTSA wording

DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA (DTNA) IS RECALLING 24,650 SCHOOL AND NON-SCHOOL BUSES, MOTOR HOME CHASSIS, AND TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 9, 2004 THROUGH AUGUST 18, 2006, EQUIPPED WITH EPA04 CERTIFIED MBE900 ENGINES, MANUFACTURED BY DETROIT DIESEL BETWEEN MARCH 1, 2004, AND JULY 31, 2006. THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINES AND TRANSFER TUBES MAY FATIGUE AND FRACTURE.

Risk: A fractured fuel line May leak diesel fuel possibly resulting in a fire or fuel May be spilled on the road causing a slippery surface, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.

Original NHTSA wording

A FRACTURED FUEL LINE MAY LEAK DIESEL FUEL POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE OR FUEL MAY BE SPILLED ON THE ROAD CAUSING A SLIPPERY SURFACE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy & notes

Detroit diesel will notify owners and the vehicles will be repaired with more robust lines and vibration dampers free of charge. Repairs will be performed by authorized detroit diesel distributorships. The recall began on March 9, 2009. Owners May contact detroit diesel 1-313-592-3708 or dtna toll-free at 1-800-547-0712 for more information.

Dtna's recall no. Fl-452.customers May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .

Power Train

Mar 25, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V137000 · 28,764 vehicles

Problem: Daimler trucks is recalling 28,764 my 2001 through 2008 fccc B2 and FS65 school bus chassis, fccc FB65 conventional buses, and sterling acterra, Freightliner fln, and business class M2 heavy trucks, built from January 26, 2000, through March 24, 2008, manufactured with arvinmeritor or axle alliance company 6,000 through 8,000 pound front axles utilizing a four piece spindle-nut set. These axle assemblies May have been produced with a thin spindle nut which May lead to incorrect end play, cone spin, excessive heat, degradation of lubrication, wear of the spindle nut and bearing journal, oil contamination with metal shavings, and premature bearing failure.

Original NHTSA wording

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 28,764 MY 2001 THROUGH 2008 FCCC B2 AND FS65 SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS, FCCC FB65 CONVENTIONAL BUSES, AND STERLING ACTERRA, FREIGHTLINER FLN, AND BUSINESS CLASS M2 HEAVY TRUCKS, BUILT FROM JANUARY 26, 2000, THROUGH MARCH 24, 2008, MANUFACTURED WITH ARVINMERITOR OR AXLE ALLIANCE COMPANY 6,000 THROUGH 8,000 POUND FRONT AXLES UTILIZING A FOUR PIECE SPINDLE-NUT SET. THESE AXLE ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH A THIN SPINDLE NUT WHICH MAY LEAD TO INCORRECT END PLAY, CONE SPIN, EXCESSIVE HEAT, DEGRADATION OF LUBRICATION, WEAR OF THE SPINDLE NUT AND BEARING JOURNAL, OIL CONTAMINATION WITH METAL SHAVINGS, AND PREMATURE BEARING FAILURE.

Risk: Continued operation May lead to wheel separation and possibly a vehicle crash.

Original NHTSA wording

CONTINUED OPERATION MAY LEAD TO WHEEL SEPARATION AND POSSIBLY A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy & notes

Daimler trucks will notify owners and will repair the vehicles free of charge. The recall began on January 8, 2009. Owners May contact daimler trucks at 1-800-547-0712.

Daimler trucks recall no. Fl-527.customers May contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Service Brakes

Jul 16, 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V302000 · 75,000 vehicles

Problem: Certain Freightliner school bus chassis, heavy trucks, and thomas built school buses manufactured between July 2002 and July 3, 2007, equipped with bendix sr-7 spring brake control valves. The parker scv brass 90 degree single check valves (scv) which attach to the supply port of a bendix sr-7 spring brake modulating valve can break apart. Pieces of the parker scv can become lodged inside the sr-7 spring brake modulating valve, potentially causing either leakage out of the sr-7 valve or preventing air from properly exhausting from the sr-7 valve. Also, due to a manufacturing defect in the internal rubber check valve inside the sr-7 spring brake modulating valves, the valves can become deformed and not seat properly.

Original NHTSA wording

CERTAIN FREIGHTLINER SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS, HEAVY TRUCKS, AND THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JULY 2002 AND JULY 3, 2007, EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX SR-7 SPRING BRAKE CONTROL VALVES. THE PARKER SCV BRASS 90 DEGREE SINGLE CHECK VALVES (SCV) WHICH ATTACH TO THE SUPPLY PORT OF A BENDIX SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVE CAN BREAK APART. PIECES OF THE PARKER SCV CAN BECOME LODGED INSIDE THE SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVE, POTENTIALLY CAUSING EITHER LEAKAGE OUT OF THE SR-7 VALVE OR PREVENTING AIR FROM PROPERLY EXHAUSTING FROM THE SR-7 VALVE. ALSO, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE INTERNAL RUBBER CHECK VALVE INSIDE THE SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVES, THE VALVES CAN BECOME DEFORMED AND NOT SEAT PROPERLY.

Risk: These conditions could either result in leakage and cause a delay in the application of the spring brake without warning or possibly lead to unintended vehicle rollaway or brake drag which could result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or death.

Original NHTSA wording

THESE CONDITIONS COULD EITHER RESULT IN LEAKAGE AND CAUSE A DELAY IN THE APPLICATION OF THE SPRING BRAKE WITHOUT WARNING OR POSSIBLY LEAD TO UNINTENDED VEHICLE ROLLAWAY OR BRAKE DRAG WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY, OR DEATH.

Remedy & notes

Freightliner will notify owners and repair the vehicles free of charge. The recall began on January 11, 2008 to Freightliner, sterling, and Freightliner custom chassis owners; to thomas built bus owners on February 1, 2008. Owners can contact Freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.

Freightliner recall no. Fl-504.customers May contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Parking Brake

Oct 5, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V468000 · 3,850 vehicles

Problem: Certain 2004 and 2005 thomas built C2 school buses and Freightliner business class M2 heavy trucks manufactured between June 2004 and March 2005. The anchor/pivot bolt supplied with the park brake is defective and could fatigue fracture prematurely, resulting in the park brake failing to apply.

Original NHTSA wording

CERTAIN 2004 AND 2005 THOMAS BUILT C2 SCHOOL BUSES AND FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2 HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 2004 AND MARCH 2005. THE ANCHOR/PIVOT BOLT SUPPLIED WITH THE PARK BRAKE IS DEFECTIVE AND COULD FATIGUE FRACTURE PREMATURELY, RESULTING IN THE PARK BRAKE FAILING TO APPLY.

Risk: If the park brake anchor bolt fatigues and ultimately fractures, the park brake May not function and there May be no indication to the driver of the malfunction when the park brake is set. This May cause the vehicle to roll away without warning, which could result in a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

IF THE PARK BRAKE ANCHOR BOLT FATIGUES AND ULTIMATELY FRACTURES, THE PARK BRAKE MAY NOT FUNCTION AND THERE MAY BE NO INDICATION TO THE DRIVER OF THE MALFUNCTION WHEN THE PARK BRAKE IS SET. THIS MAY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy & notes

Freightliner will notify its owners and inspect and replace defective anchor bolts free of charge. The recall began on March 7, 2006. Owners May contact Freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.

Freightliner recall no. Fl-461.customers May contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236; (tty:1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Engine

Sep 6, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V393000 · 1,395 vehicles

Problem: Certain my 2004 Freightliner business class M2 and thomas built saf-t-liner C2 school buses manufactured between July 26 and October 29, 2004, equipped with a caterpillar c-7 engine and borg-warner kys 4735 35480 55 engine fan. The fan shroud May be drawn back into the fan at high engine speeds when the fan clutch engages. Due to reduced clearance, heavy contact between the fan and the shroud May cause the fan blade to fracture.

Original NHTSA wording

CERTAIN MY 2004 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2 AND THOMAS BUILT SAF-T-LINER C2 SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JULY 26 AND OCTOBER 29, 2004, EQUIPPED WITH A CATERPILLAR C-7 ENGINE AND BORG-WARNER KYS 4735 35480 55 ENGINE FAN. THE FAN SHROUD MAY BE DRAWN BACK INTO THE FAN AT HIGH ENGINE SPEEDS WHEN THE FAN CLUTCH ENGAGES. DUE TO REDUCED CLEARANCE, HEAVY CONTACT BETWEEN THE FAN AND THE SHROUD MAY CAUSE THE FAN BLADE TO FRACTURE.

Risk: The fan May fracture and pieces May separate from the fan blade. In certain conditions, this May present a hazard to people near the vehicle with the hood open and the engine running.

Original NHTSA wording

THE FAN MAY FRACTURE AND PIECES MAY SEPARATE FROM THE FAN BLADE. IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS MAY PRESENT A HAZARD TO PEOPLE NEAR THE VEHICLE WITH THE HOOD OPEN AND THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Remedy & notes

Freightliner will notify its customers and replace the engine fan with a fan that has a different mounting offset free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on January 16, 2006. Owners May contact Freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.

Freightliner recall no. Fl-458.customers May contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236; (tty:1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Engine

Mar 30, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V126000 · 3,568 vehicles

Problem: On certain trucks and fire trucks equipped with kys 4735-43782-02 engine cooling fans and built on caterpillar 3126, C7, MBE906, MBE926, or cummins isc engines, the steel fan insert on the cooling fans can crack.

Original NHTSA wording

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND FIRE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH KYS 4735-43782-02 ENGINE COOLING FANS AND BUILT ON CATERPILLAR 3126, C7, MBE906, MBE926, OR CUMMINS ISC ENGINES, THE STEEL FAN INSERT ON THE COOLING FANS CAN CRACK.

Risk: This can result in fan breakage, resulting in vehicle damage or personal injury.

Original NHTSA wording

THIS CAN RESULT IN FAN BREAKAGE, RESULTING IN VEHICLE DAMAGE OR PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will replace the engine cooling fan free of charge. The recall began on June 8, 2005. Owners May contact Freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.

Freightliner recall no. Fl-439.customers May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Service Brakes

May 6, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V220000 · 1,700 vehicles

Problem: On certain trucks, incorrect springs were installed in the exhaust port of certain air management unit (amu) solenoid valves and they May not turn off after actuation.

Original NHTSA wording

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, INCORRECT SPRINGS WERE INSTALLED IN THE EXHAUST PORT OF CERTAIN AIR MANAGEMENT UNIT (AMU) SOLENOID VALVES AND THEY MAY NOT TURN OFF AFTER ACTUATION.

Risk: Depending on the function affected, this could result in rear suspension air pressure loss, malfunction of the engine brake, permanent engagement of the rear axle differential lock, or prevent engagement of the fifth wheel slide lock. If the warning indicators in the dash are not heeded, a crash could occur.

Original NHTSA wording

DEPENDING ON THE FUNCTION AFFECTED, THIS COULD RESULT IN REAR SUSPENSION AIR PRESSURE LOSS, MALFUNCTION OF THE ENGINE BRAKE, PERMANENT ENGAGEMENT OF THE REAR AXLE DIFFERENTIAL LOCK, OR PREVENT ENGAGEMENT OF THE FIFTH WHEEL SLIDE LOCK. IF THE WARNING INDICATORS IN THE DASH ARE NOT HEEDED, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will replace the affected valves. The recall began June 29, 2004. Owners should contact Freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.

Freightliner recall no. Fl-423.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Power Train

May 4, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V205000 · 14,000 vehicles

Problem: On certain trucks equipped with manual transmission, the tapered joint that attaches the shifter to the transmission May become loose making it difficult to put the transmission into gear.

Original NHTSA wording

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION, THE TAPERED JOINT THAT ATTACHES THE SHIFTER TO THE TRANSMISSION MAY BECOME LOOSE MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO GEAR.

Risk: If shift lever detachment occurs, tha ability ro accelerate ot maintain speed will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

IF SHIFT LEVER DETACHMENT OCCURS, THA ABILITY RO ACCELERATE OT MAINTAIN SPEED WILL BE LOST, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will re-secure the shift lever to the transmission using threadlock and re-torquing the fastening bolt. Owner notification began on May 21, 2004. Owners should contact Freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.

Freightliner recall no. Fl-420.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

NHTSA investigations

FRONT WHEEL SEPARATION

RQ07003 · opened Dec 5, 2007 · closed Mar 26, 2008 · led to recall 08V137000

Summary

ODI IS CLOSING THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON DAIMLER TRUCK NORTH AMERICA 'S (DTNA) MARCH 19, 2008, DEFECT NOTIFICATION REPORT WHICH OUTLINES DTNA'S INTENTION TO CAMPAIGN 28,764 FREIGHTLINER, STERLING, AND FREIGHTLINER CUSTOM CHASSIS VEHICLES [EQUIPPED WITH EITHER ARVINMERITOR OR AXLE ALLIANCE COMPANY 6,000 - 8,000 POUND RATED FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLIES UTILIZING A FOUR PIECE SPINDLE NUT SET] MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 26, 2000, AND MARCH 24, 2008.DTNA HAS PROPOSED PROVIDING A REMEDY FOR THE CURRENTLY INSTALLED FOUR PIECE SPINDLE NUT SYSTEMS WHICH MAY LEAD TO INCORRECT END PLAY, [BEARING] CONE SPIN, EXCESSIVE HEAT, DEGRADATION OF LUBRICATION, WEAR OF THE SPINDLE NUT [BACKFACE] AND BEARING JOURNAL, OIL CONTAMINATION WITH METAL SHAVINGS, AND PREMATURE BEARING FAILURE.CONTINUED OPERATION MAY LEAD TO A WHEEL SEPARATION.ODI HAS RELIEVED DTNA OF THE RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE THE INFORMATION REQUESTED AS PART OF THIS RQ SO THAT DTNA COULD FOCUS THEIR EFFORTS ON INVESTIGATION OF THE WHEEL SEPARATION ISSUES AND PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING A RESPONSIVE AND TIMELY FIELD ACTION (CAMPAIGN).

2004 vs. other Freightliner Business Class M2 years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2004. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2004 Freightliner Business Class M2 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns covering the 2004 Freightliner Business Class M2, the latest from Sep 16, 2011 (fuel system). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Freightliner Business Class M2?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention service brakes (2), suspension (2), engine (1). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.