2012 Freightliner Business Class M2 recalls and problems

The 2012 Freightliner Business Class M2 has 12 recalls and 4 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is engine.

How the 2012 compares

High

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

High complaint count among 17 Business Class M2 model years — 6th most.

12recalls

4complaints

0crashes

0fires

0injuries

4,399median 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.

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12 recalls

Exterior Lighting

Apr 14, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V214000 · 63,175 vehicles

Problem: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2006-2020 Freightliner Columbia, 2006-2021 Freightliner Business Class M2, 2007-2020 Freightliner Coronado, 2014-2021 Freightliner 122 SD, 2007 Sterling A 9500, 2006 Freightliner Argosy, 2006-2007 Sterling AT9500, 2008-2021 Freightliner Cascadia, 2006-2008 Freightliner Classic, 2006-2011 Freightliner Century Class, 2006-2010 Freightliner FLD, and 2017 Western Star 5700 vehicles. The rear reflective tape may be partially covered by the mudflap hanger bracket, which may reduce the vehicle's visibility to other drivers on the road. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: The vehicle's rearward visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy & notes

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and reposition the reflective tape to ensure that it is completely visible, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 29, 2020. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL848.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Steering

Jul 31, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V503000 · 1,256 vehicles

Problem: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Freightliner Cascadia, Coronado, Business Class M2, 114SD, and Western Star 4900 trucks. In certain front axle, brake lining, and brake spider combinations, braking may cause high vibrations, resulting in early failure of the tie-rod tube.

Risk: A tie-rod failure would cause a disconnect between the front wheels, resulting in a loss of steering ability, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy & notes

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake linings, brake spider, and tie-rod, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2019. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL782.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Service Brakes

Apr 12, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V206000 · 702 vehicles

Problem: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2010-2017 Freightliner M2 Business Class, 108SD, 114SD, and Columbia trucks manufactured from January 6, 2010, through February 29, 2016, equipped with certain Bendix rear disk brakes and spring suspensions. The rear disk brake caliper may have been installed incorrectly, thus allowing the caliper to contact the suspension.

Risk: Caliper contact with the spring suspension may reduce the braking effectiveness, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy & notes

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will correct the orientation of the rear brake calipers, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 8, 2016. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's recall number for this campaign is FL-705.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Trailer Hitches

Oct 1, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V616000 · 5,801 vehicles

Problem: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Cascadia, Business Class M2, Coronado, and Columbia Glider vehicles manufactured April 5, 2010, to June 15, 2013. The affected trucks are equipped with Fontaine Ultra LT Fifth Wheel connectors, which, due to cumulative damage to the fifth wheel and its locking mechanism, have a locking mechanism that may fail to operate or to properly engage.

Risk: If the fifth wheel and locking mechanism are sufficiently damaged, the locking mechanism may fail to operate as intended and the trailer may unexpectedly detach from the tractor, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy & notes

DTNA will notify owners, and DTNA authorized service facilities will replace the fifth wheel with an Ultra NT model fifth wheel, free of charge. The recall began on November 20, 2015. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-692.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Power Train

Dec 16, 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V634000 · 255 vehicles

Problem: Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 model year Freightliner Business Class M2 and Freightliner Custom Chassis MT45 and MT55 chassis manufactured August 27, 2008, through December 10, 2013 and equipped with Eaton hybrid automated transmissions. The software controlling the affected transmissions may improperly raise the vehicle's engine speed during downshifts without the driver's input.

Risk: The increase in engine speed may result in unintended acceleration, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy & notes

DTNA will notify owners and dealers will update the hybrid transmission software, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2014. Owners may contact DTNA at 1-503-745-6910. DTNA's recall number is FL-657.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Electrical System

Mar 4, 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V074000 · 161 vehicles

Problem: Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Business Class M2, 108SD, 114SD vehicle chassis, manufactured from December 3, 2011, through October 12, 2012 and equipped with a SmartPlex switch hub module. Residue left over in the manufacturing process of the switch hub module may lead to intermittent shorts and energizing of certain switch hub module outputs.

Risk: If the module is energized, the module may inadvertently activate body equipment or features, increasing the risk of injury to the vehicle operator or increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy & notes

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace any of the affected modules free of charge. The recall began on April 29, 2013. Owners may contact DTNA at 1-800-547-0712.

DTNA's recall campaign number is FL-639.Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Equipment

Aug 16, 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V405000 · 1,663 vehicles

Problem: Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Freightliner, Sterling, and Western Star vehicles manufactured from July 7, 2008, through December 15, 2011, and equipped with perpendicular air tank mounting brackets. The air tank mounting brackets may develop cracks which can lead to the air tank brackets separating from the frame rail. The air tanks may also separate from the vehicle.

Risk: Air tanks that become separated from a moving vehicle may create a road debris hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy & notes

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air mounting brackets, free of charge. The recall began on December 24, 2012. Owners may contact Daimler Trucks North America toll free at 1-800-547-0712.

DTNA's recall campain number is FL-631.Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Service Brakes

Apr 24, 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V178000 · 3,116 vehicles

Problem: Daimler trucks (dtna) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Freightliner 108SD, business class M2, cascadia, coronado vehicles, equipped with a haldex quick release valve, and manufactured from February 3, 2012, through March 2, 2012. The quick release valve cover May not be correctly manufactured, allowing the cover to become separated from the valve body. If the cover separates from the valve body, the front brakes May not function.

Original NHTSA wording

DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012-2013 FREIGHTLINER 108SD, BUSINESS CLASS M2, CASCADIA, CORONADO VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH A HALDEX QUICK RELEASE VALVE, AND MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 3, 2012, THROUGH MARCH 2, 2012. THE QUICK RELEASE VALVE COVER MAY NOT BE CORRECTLY MANUFACTURED, ALLOWING THE COVER TO BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE VALVE BODY. IF THE COVER SEPARATES FROM THE VALVE BODY, THE FRONT BRAKES MAY NOT FUNCTION.

Risk: If this condition occurs, increased vehicle stopping distance May result, increasing the risk of a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, INCREASED VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE MAY RESULT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy & notes

Dtna will notify owners, and where necessary, the quick release valve will be replaced by dtna authorized service facilities, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin before June 15, 2012. Owners May contact dtna at 1-800-547-0712.

Dtna's recall campaign number is fl-625.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

Apr 2, 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V137000 · 1,046 vehicles

Problem: Daimler trucks (dtna) is recalling one 2012 cascadia and certain model year 2012 and 2013 Freightliner business class M2 vehicles, and model year 2013 108SD and 114SD vehicles manufactured from January 20, 2012, through February 17, 2012. Certain property class 04 (PC04) steering wheel nuts with incompletely formed threads were supplied to dtna in lieu of the specified property class 05 nuts. The steering wheel nuts supplied May not provide the clamp load required to fully seat the steering wheel on the steering shaft when tightened to the specified torque.

Original NHTSA wording

DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING ONE 2012 CASCADIA AND CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 AND 2013 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2 VEHICLES, AND MODEL YEAR 2013 108SD AND 114SD VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 20, 2012, THROUGH FEBRUARY 17, 2012. CERTAIN PROPERTY CLASS 04 (PC04) STEERING WHEEL NUTS WITH INCOMPLETELY FORMED THREADS WERE SUPPLIED TO DTNA IN LIEU OF THE SPECIFIED PROPERTY CLASS 05 NUTS. THE STEERING WHEEL NUTS SUPPLIED MAY NOT PROVIDE THE CLAMP LOAD REQUIRED TO FULLY SEAT THE STEERING WHEEL ON THE STEERING SHAFT WHEN TIGHTENED TO THE SPECIFIED TORQUE.

Risk: A steering wheel that is not fully seated on the steering shaft May wobble and make it difficult to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

A STEERING WHEEL THAT IS NOT FULLY SEATED ON THE STEERING SHAFT MAY WOBBLE AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy & notes

Dtna will notify owners, and affected vehicles will have a new steering wheel nut installed by dtna authorized service facilities, free of charge. The safety recall began on May 21, 2012. Owners May contact dtna at 1-800-547-0712.

Dtna's recall campaign number is fl-623.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

Feb 28, 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V074000 · 103,437 vehicles

Problem: Daimler trucks (dtna) is recalling certain model year 2006-2013 Freightliner, sterling, and western star vehicles, equipped with detroit diesel EPA07 and EPA10, DD13 and DD15/16 engines, manufactured from January 20, 2006, through February 20, 2012. The pump to rail high pressure fuel line support system used on these engines is sensitive to assembly torque and May be damaged during service work. As a result of other repairs, the line supports May loosen, potentially leading to fuel line cracking and a fuel leak.

Original NHTSA wording

DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2013 FREIGHTLINER, STERLING, AND WESTERN STAR VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH DETROIT DIESEL EPA07 AND EPA10, DD13 AND DD15/16 ENGINES, MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 20, 2006, THROUGH FEBRUARY 20, 2012. THE PUMP TO RAIL HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE SUPPORT SYSTEM USED ON THESE ENGINES IS SENSITIVE TO ASSEMBLY TORQUE AND MAY BE DAMAGED DURING SERVICE WORK. AS A RESULT OF OTHER REPAIRS, THE LINE SUPPORTS MAY LOOSEN, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO FUEL LINE CRACKING AND A FUEL LEAK.

Risk: A fuel leak could create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. Also a fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.

Original NHTSA wording

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

Remedy & notes

Dtna will notify owners, and where necessary, the high pressure fuel line support system will be replaced by dtna authorized service facilities, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 27, 2012. Owners May contact dtna at 1-800-547-0712.

Dtna's recall campaign number is 12C-2.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

Dec 27, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V605000 · 66 vehicles

Problem: Daimler trucks (dtna) is recalling certain model year 2011 and 2012 Freightliner business class M2 and western star 4900 emergency vehicles manufactured from July 2, 2010, through December 13, 2011, equipped with a DD13 EPA10 detroit diesel engine. The engine shutdown software normally provided to protect the engine and vehicle May not have been disabled on engines intended for emergency vehicle applications.

Original NHTSA wording

DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2 AND WESTERN STAR 4900 EMERGENCY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 2, 2010, THROUGH DECEMBER 13, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH A DD13 EPA10 DETROIT DIESEL ENGINE. THE ENGINE SHUTDOWN SOFTWARE NORMALLY PROVIDED TO PROTECT THE ENGINE AND VEHICLE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN DISABLED ON ENGINES INTENDED FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLE APPLICATIONS.

Risk: If the vehicle operator receives and ignores multiple warnings indicating the need for operator intervention, the engine May shut down unexpectedly. Unexpected emergency vehicle engine shutdown under certain conditions could hamper rescue operations and place the public at risk.

Original NHTSA wording

IF THE VEHICLE OPERATOR RECEIVES AND IGNORES MULTIPLE WARNINGS INDICATING THE NEED FOR OPERATOR INTERVENTION, THE ENGINE MAY SHUT DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY. UNEXPECTED EMERGENCY VEHICLE ENGINE SHUTDOWN UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD HAMPER RESCUE OPERATIONS AND PLACE THE PUBLIC AT RISK.

Remedy & notes

Dtna will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine shutdown software free of charge. The safety recall began on March 13, 2012. Owners May contact dtna at 1-800-547-0712.

Dtna's recall campaign number is 11C-4 (fl-621).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> .

Engine

Sep 15, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V474000 · 6,225 vehicles

Problem: Daimler trucks is recalling certain model year 2011- 2012 business class M2 and coronado trucks manufactured from September 1, 2010, through December 31, 2010, equipped with a cummins isx or isl diesel engine. The v-band clamp assembly, part numbers Q187684, Q187685, and Q187686, used to connect the inlet and outlet cone sections to the diesel oxidation catalyst (doc)/diesel particulate filter (DPF) include a t-bolt which can fracture and fail when subjected to stress or load. A fracture or failure of the t-bolt May cause the clamp to loosen and the inlet or outlet sections attached to the doc/dpf housing to disconnect.

Original NHTSA wording

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011- 2012 BUSINESS CLASS M2 AND CORONADO TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2010, THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH A CUMMINS ISX OR ISL DIESEL ENGINE. THE V-BAND CLAMP ASSEMBLY, PART NUMBERS Q187684, Q187685, AND Q187686, USED TO CONNECT THE INLET AND OUTLET CONE SECTIONS TO THE DIESEL OXIDATION CATALYST (DOC)/DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) INCLUDE A T-BOLT WHICH CAN FRACTURE AND FAIL WHEN SUBJECTED TO STRESS OR LOAD. A FRACTURE OR FAILURE OF THE T-BOLT MAY CAUSE THE CLAMP TO LOOSEN AND THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS ATTACHED TO THE DOC/DPF HOUSING TO DISCONNECT.

Risk: If the inlet or outlet sections disconnect, hot exhaust gases can vent prior to exiting the tailpipe, creating the risk of combustion and a fire. If both clamps fail, there is a risk in some applications that the doc/dpf housing May detach completely, creating a road hazard.

Original NHTSA wording

IF THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS DISCONNECT, HOT EXHAUST GASES CAN VENT PRIOR TO EXITING THE TAILPIPE, CREATING THE RISK OF COMBUSTION AND A FIRE. IF BOTH CLAMPS FAIL, THERE IS A RISK IN SOME APPLICATIONS THAT THE DOC/DPF HOUSING MAY DETACH COMPLETELY, CREATING A ROAD HAZARD.

Remedy & notes

Daimler trucks is working with cummins to identify and notify owners of the recall campaign. Repairs will be performed by authorized cummins dealers free of charge. The safety recall began on October 10, 2011. Owners May contact cummins at 1-812-377-5000 or daimler trucks at 1-800-547-0712.

Cummins' recall campaign number is C1154.daimler trucks' safety recall number is fl-611.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> .

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Engine1

Exterior Lighting1

Steering1

Unknown or other1

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

Complaints by year filed

NHTSA investigations

Air Brake Reservoir Bracket Fracture

PE12018 · opened Jun 25, 2012 · closed Sep 20, 2012 · led to recall 12V405000

Summary

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received Early Warning Reporting (EWR) data from the manufacturer that indicated some number of subject vehicles had allegedly experienced a fracture of one or more support brackets resulting in an unsecured air brake reservoir.This could result in a loss of air pressure necessary for proper service brake application and a potential road hazard if the reservoir separates from the vehicle in operation.By letter dated August 15, 2012, Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) has notified ODI that it has initiated a safety recall (identified by NTHSA Recall No. 12V-405 and DTNA Recall No. FL-631) to address a safety defect in approximately 1,663 model year (MY) 2009 through 2012 Freightliner 114SD, Business Class M2, Cascadia, Coronado, Sterling 9500 and Western Star 4700 trucks manufactured from July 7, 2008 through December 15, 2011, originally equipped with a specific perpendicular oriented air brake reservoir support bracket (P/N 12-22981-000).To date ODI is unaware of any bracket failures that resulted in a complete separation of the reservoir from the vehicle.Affected owners will be notified by DTNA beginning October 15, 2012 and affected vehicles will have the subject air brake reservoir support brackets replaced with a more robust bracket.Repairs will be performed by DTNA authorized service facilities.Copies of DTNA's reimbursement plan for pre-notification remedies will be submitted to ODI as a supplemental report when available.…

2012 vs. other Freightliner Business Class M2 years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2012. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2012 Freightliner Business Class M2 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns covering the 2012 Freightliner Business Class M2, the latest from Apr 14, 2020 (exterior lighting). 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 2012 Freightliner Business Class M2?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention engine (1), exterior lighting (1), steering (1). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.