2005 Freightliner Business Class M2 recalls and problems

The 2005 Freightliner Business Class M2 has 9 recalls and 7 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is fuel system.

How the 2005 compares

High

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

High complaint count among 17 Business Class M2 model years — 4th most.

9recalls

7complaints

1crashes

0fires

0injuries

50,000median 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> .

Exterior Lighting

Apr 30, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V178000 · 8,971 vehicles

Problem: Dtna is recalling certain model year 2005 through 2011 Freightliner business class C2, fccc B2 chassis, S2 chassis, and mc chassis manufactured beginning January 19, 2005 through April 16, 2010. The stop lamps May be intermittent during light brake applications.

Original NHTSA wording

DTNA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2011 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS C2, FCCC B2 CHASSIS, S2 CHASSIS, AND MC CHASSIS MANUFACTURED BEGINNING JANUARY 19, 2005 THROUGH APRIL 16, 2010. THE STOP LAMPS MAY BE INTERMITTENT DURING LIGHT BRAKE APPLICATIONS.

Risk: The stop lamps May not properly indicate that the service brakes are applied which May lead to a crash without warning.

Original NHTSA wording

THE STOP LAMPS MAY NOT PROPERLY INDICATE THAT THE SERVICE BRAKES ARE APPLIED WHICH MAY LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy & notes

Dtna will notify owners and repairs will be performed by dtna dealerships free of charge. The safety recall began on May 27, 2011. Owners May contact dtna at 1-800-547-0712.

Dtna's recall campaign number is fl-577.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.

Fuel System

Mar 11, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V113000 · 62,000 vehicles

Problem: Daimler trucks is recalling 62,000 my 2005-2007 Freightliner business class, century class, columbia, coronado, fld, classic, sterling a-line, l-line, and western star 4900 trucks. A fractured fuel line could leak diesel fuel.

Original NHTSA wording

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 62,000 MY 2005-2007 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS, CENTURY CLASS, COLUMBIA, CORONADO, FLD, CLASSIC, STERLING A-LINE, L-LINE, AND WESTERN STAR 4900 TRUCKS. A FRACTURED FUEL LINE COULD LEAK DIESEL FUEL.

Risk: If a leak continues undetected under certain conditions, fuel May ignite at a hot engine surface and/or fuel May be spilled on the road surface.

Original NHTSA wording

IF A LEAK CONTINUES UNDETECTED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, FUEL MAY IGNITE AT A HOT ENGINE SURFACE AND/OR FUEL MAY BE SPILLED ON THE ROAD SURFACE.

Remedy & notes

High pressure fuel lines and transfer tubes will be inspected and replaced free of charged. The recall began on July 9, 2008. Owners May contact daimler trucks at 1-800-547-0712.

Daimler truck recall no. Fl-526.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

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.

Steering

Nov 22, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V541000 · 198 vehicles

Problem: On certain trucks equipped with fontaine modification right hand steering control and equipped with sit down dual drive conversions, the pinch bolt that secures the lower steering shaft connection to the lh miter box May have been improperly torqued causing the bolts to fall out.

Original NHTSA wording

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FONTAINE MODIFICATION RIGHT HAND STEERING CONTROL AND EQUIPPED WITH SIT DOWN DUAL DRIVE CONVERSIONS, THE PINCH BOLT THAT SECURES THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT CONNECTION TO THE LH MITER BOX MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY TORQUED CAUSING THE BOLTS TO FALL OUT.

Risk: This May cause a loss of steering control and a crash could occur without prior warning.

Original NHTSA wording

THIS MAY CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will inspect and replace the lower steering shaft pinch bolt at the connection and bolts on the steering cross shaft will be replaced. The recall began on February 17, 2006. Owners May contact Freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.

Freightliner recall no. Fl-464.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.

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.

Suspension

Oct 5, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V467000 · 1,100 vehicles

Problem: Certain 2005 thomas built fs-65 and c-2 school buses and 2005 Freightliner argosy, columbia, century st, and M2 business class trucks manufactured between June 4 and July 8, 2005. The spindles in the rear axle housing were overheated during the heat treatment process. Incorrectly heat treated spindles could result in a fracture of the spindle.

Original NHTSA wording

CERTAIN 2005 THOMAS BUILT FS-65 AND C-2 SCHOOL BUSES AND 2005 FREIGHTLINER ARGOSY, COLUMBIA, CENTURY ST, AND M2 BUSINESS CLASS TRUCKS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 4 AND JULY 8, 2005. THE SPINDLES IN THE REAR AXLE HOUSING WERE OVERHEATED DURING THE HEAT TREATMENT PROCESS. INCORRECTLY HEAT TREATED SPINDLES COULD RESULT IN A FRACTURE OF THE SPINDLE.

Risk: Incorrectly heat treated spindles could fracture, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.

Original NHTSA wording

INCORRECTLY HEAT TREATED SPINDLES COULD FRACTURE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy & notes

Freightliner will notify its customers and inspect for the heat treat date code on the end of the rear spindles and replace the axle housing if necessary. The recall is expected to begin on January 23, 2006. Owners May contact Freightliner

Freightliner recall no. Fl-460.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.

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

Stop Lamps Intermittent

PE10007 · opened Feb 3, 2010 · closed May 23, 2010 · led to recall 10V177000

Summary

This investigation was opened after ODI was contacted by a fleet alleging that in certain situations, such as a light brake peal application during a low speed operation, the brake lamps fail to illuminate on the rear of the bus.ODI confirmed the problem with two fleets.On April 29, 2010, Daimler filed a defect report concerning this issue. The stop lamps may be intermittent during light brake applications.They are still evaluating the remedial program and will furnish this information to ODI when it is available. This safety recallresolves the issue raised by this investigation. Hence, this investigation is closed.

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).

2005 vs. other Freightliner Business Class M2 years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2005. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2005 Freightliner Business Class M2 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns covering the 2005 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 2005 Freightliner Business Class M2?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention fuel system (2), electrical system (1), engine (1). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.