2008 Freightliner M2 recalls and problems

The 2008 Freightliner M2 has 10 recalls and 1 owner complaint on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is service brakes.

How the 2008 compares

Average

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Average complaint count among 14 M2 model years — 8th most.

10recalls

1complaints

0crashes

0fires

0injuries

60,130median 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 →

10 recalls

Service Brakes

May 14, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V370000 · 741 vehicles

Problem: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2004-2019 Freightliner 108SD, 114SD, 122SD, Cascadia, Columbia, Classic, FL80, FLD 120SD, Business Class M2, Western Star 4700, 4900, 6900, Sterling Acterra, L7500, LT7500, L8500, LT8500, L9500, and LT9500 vehicles. The vehicles may have an insufficient service brake air reservoir capacity. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Risk: An insufficient air reservoir volume may reduce brake effectiveness, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy & notes

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will add air reservoir capacity to the affected vehicles. Owner letters were mailed on November 29, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-815.

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.

Engine

Jun 3, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V343000 · 3,200 vehicles

Problem: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2007-2016 Freightliner 114SD and M2 Business Class trucks, 2008-2009 Sterling LT8500 trucks and Thomas Built Bus Saf-T-Liner HDX transit buses equipped with certain Cummins Westport ISL G engines. Excessive engine crankcase pressures may cause the 90-degree elbow of the vent tube assembly to detach from the crankcase ventilation breather, possibly allowing engine oil to come into contact with hot surfaces.

Risk: If engine oil comes into contact with a hot surface, there is an increased risk of a fire.

Remedy & notes

Cummins will notify owners on behalf of DTNA, and dealers will secure the ends of the 90-degree elbow. In addition, the electronic control module (ECM) will be reprogrammed with software that can adjust the engine output under misfire conditions to limit crankcase pressures. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on June 12, 2015. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000 or Cummins customer service at 1-800-343-7357. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-681.

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.

Exterior Lighting

Apr 14, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V220000 · 3,571 vehicles

Problem: Fontaine Modification (Fontaine) is recalling certain model year 2006-2015 Freightliner M2 trucks manufactured January 2, 2006, to January 23, 2015 and modified by Fontaine to have dual steering. Brake lights of the affected vehicles will not illuminate if the primary brake air supply is depleted below 6 psi. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Risk: If the primary brake air system fails causing the truck to rely on the secondary brake air system, the brakes lights may not illuminate when the brakes are applied, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy & notes

Fontaine will notify owners, and dealers will install a repair kit to resolve the issue, free of charge. The recallbegan on June 12, 2015. Owners may contact Fontaine customer service at 1-800-366-8246.

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.

Engine

Feb 21, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V080000 · 3,258 vehicles

Problem: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (Daimler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2015 Freightliner 114SD, Cascadia, M2 Business Class, Sterling LT8500, and Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX vehicles manufactured February 19, 2008, through February 11, 2014, and equipped with Cummins Westport Model ISL G and Cummins Westport Model ISX12 G engines. Condensation in the intake manifold may freeze during cold weather conditions and interfere with the proper operation of the intake manifold pressure sensor.

Risk: The sensor malfunction could induce elevated exhaust temperatures or flames from the exhaust pipe, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire or burn injury to a person near the exhaust pipe.

Remedy & notes

Cummins and Cummins Westport will notify owners, and authorized Cummins service facilities will upload a new ECM calibration, free of charge. The recall began on April 12, 2014. Customers may contact Daimler at 1-800-385-4357 or Cummins Inc. at 1-800-343-7357. Daimler's number for this recall is FL-660.

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.

Electronic Stability Control

Sep 8, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V465000 · 4,444 vehicles

Problem: Daimler trucks is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Freightliner business class M2, cascadia, century, columbia, coronado and sterling a-line vehicles built with meritor wabco electronic stability control (ESC) system manufactured from September 15, 2005 through September 1, 2011. Under certain road and driving conditions, vehicle body roll and road inclination characteristics May adversely affect the slip angle calculation of the electronic stability control (ESC) system. This might cause the ESC to perceive an over steering situation and therefore apply the outer wheel brake on the front axle until the vehicle is perceived to be stable.

Original NHTSA wording

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2012 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2, CASCADIA, CENTURY, COLUMBIA, CORONADO AND STERLING A-LINE VEHICLES BUILT WITH MERITOR WABCO ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) SYSTEM MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 15, 2005 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1, 2011. UNDER CERTAIN ROAD AND DRIVING CONDITIONS, VEHICLE BODY ROLL AND ROAD INCLINATION CHARACTERISTICS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT THE SLIP ANGLE CALCULATION OF THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) SYSTEM. THIS MIGHT CAUSE THE ESC TO PERCEIVE AN OVER STEERING SITUATION AND THEREFORE APPLY THE OUTER WHEEL BRAKE ON THE FRONT AXLE UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS PERCEIVED TO BE STABLE.

Risk: If the driver is slow to react during this ESC intervention, the vehicle May deviate from the intended line of travel increasing the risk of a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

IF THE DRIVER IS SLOW TO REACT DURING THIS ESC INTERVENTION, THE VEHICLE MAY DEVIATE FROM THE INTENDED LINE OF TRAVEL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy & notes

Daimler trucks will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ESC module with the appropriate software version as necessary, free of charge. An interim owner notification will be mailed on or about November 21, 2011. The date for availability of the final remedy is subject to validation testing and parts availability. The safety recall began on March 28, 2012. Owners May contact daimler trucks toll-free at 1-800-547-0712.

Daimler safety recall number is fl-612.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

Aug 31, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V455000 · 43 vehicles

Problem: Daimler trucks north america is recalling certain model year 2005 through 2012 Freightliner M2, sterling acterra, 7500 & 8500, and thomas built hdx vehicles manufactured from June 23, 2004, through March 15, 2011, equipped with specific MBE900 EPA04 and EPA07 model engines. The intake air grid heater May short circuit and fail due to excessive internal temperatures.

Original NHTSA wording

DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2012 FREIGHTLINER M2, STERLING ACTERRA, 7500 & 8500, AND THOMAS BUILT HDX VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 23, 2004, THROUGH MARCH 15, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH SPECIFIC MBE900 EPA04 AND EPA07 MODEL ENGINES. THE INTAKE AIR GRID HEATER MAY SHORT CIRCUIT AND FAIL DUE TO EXCESSIVE INTERNAL TEMPERATURES.

Risk: A short circuited grid heater could result in a vehicle fire and injury to vehicle occupants.

Original NHTSA wording

A SHORT CIRCUITED GRID HEATER COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE AND INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy & notes

Daimler trucks will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. Repairs will be performed by detroit diesel corporation authorized repair facilities. The safety recall began on September 12, 2011. Owners May contact daimler trucks toll-free at 1-800-547-0712. This recall is an expansion of a previous recall, campaign number 10V-341.

Daimler trucks' recall campaign number is 10C-5.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

Mar 3, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V146000 · 2,073 vehicles

Problem: Daimler trucks (dtna) is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2011 Freightliner, cascadia, century, columbia fld, and M2, sterling 9500, and western star 4900 heavy trucks manufactured from March 20, 2006, through June 30, 2010, equipped with specific MBE4000 EPA07 model engines. The intake air grid heater May short circuit and fail due to excessive internal temperatures.

Original NHTSA wording

DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2011 FREIGHTLINER, CASCADIA, CENTURY, COLUMBIA FLD, AND M2, STERLING 9500, AND WESTERN STAR 4900 HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 20, 2006, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH SPECIFIC MBE4000 EPA07 MODEL ENGINES. THE INTAKE AIR GRID HEATER MAY SHORT CIRCUIT AND FAIL DUE TO EXCESSIVE INTERNAL TEMPERATURES.

Risk: A short circuited grid heater could result in a vehicle fire and injury to vehicle occupants.

Original NHTSA wording

A SHORT CIRCUITED GRID HEATER COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE AND INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy & notes

Dtna will notify owners of the recall during March 2011. Another notification will be issued once the remedy is released. Dtna expects the remedy to be available by December 1, 2011. Repairs will be performed by dtna dealers free of charge. Owners May contact dtna toll-free at 1-800-547-0712. This recall is asscociated with a previous recall, campaign number 10V-341.

Engine

Jul 27, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V341000 · 5,743 vehicles

Problem: Daimler trucks is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2011 Freightliner, fccc, sterling, and western star heavy trucks manufactured from September 5, 2006, through June 30, 2010, equipped with specific MBE900 EPA04 and EPA07 model engines. The intake air grid heater May short circuit and fail due to excessive internal temperatures.

Original NHTSA wording

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2011 FREIGHTLINER, FCCC, STERLING, AND WESTERN STAR HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2006, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH SPECIFIC MBE900 EPA04 AND EPA07 MODEL ENGINES. THE INTAKE AIR GRID HEATER MAY SHORT CIRCUIT AND FAIL DUE TO EXCESSIVE INTERNAL TEMPERATURES.

Risk: A short circuited grid heater could result in a vehicle fire and injury to vehicle occupants.

Original NHTSA wording

A SHORT CIRCUITED GRID HEATER COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE AND INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy & notes

Daimler trucks will notify owners and dealers will repair the buses free of charge. Repairs will be performed by detroit diesel corporation authorized repair facilities. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about July 29, 2011. Owners May contact daimler trucks toll-free at 1-800-547-0712.

Fuel System

May 7, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V189000 · 30,704 vehicles

Problem: Daimler trucks is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2011 Freightliner columbia, cascadia, coronado, century, M2, sterling 9500, and western star 4900 vehicles equipped with dd 13 and DD15/DD16 engines and manufactured from January 1, 2007 through April 5, 2010. Should the fuel filter become restricted, the low pressure fuel flange May develop a crack resulting in a fuel leak.

Original NHTSA wording

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA, CASCADIA, CORONADO, CENTURY, M2, STERLING 9500, AND WESTERN STAR 4900 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DD 13 AND DD15/DD16 ENGINES AND MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 1, 2007 THROUGH APRIL 5, 2010. SHOULD THE FUEL FILTER BECOME RESTRICTED, THE LOW PRESSURE FUEL FLANGE MAY DEVELOP A CRACK RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAK.

Risk: Fuel leaking onto the roadway May result in vehicle crash.

Original NHTSA wording

FUEL LEAKING ONTO THE ROADWAY MAY RESULT IN VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy & notes

The low pressure fuel flange will be replaced with a more robust component. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on September 17, 2010. Owners May contact daimler trucks at 1-800-547-0712.

Daimler trucks recall no. Fl-578.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

Nov 24, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V451000 · 101 vehicles

Problem: Daimler trucks is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 Freightliner M2, custom chassis MT55, and sterling acterra vehicles manufactured between April 4, 2007 and July 15, 2009, equipped with cummins isc CM2150 and isl CM2150 model diesel engines. The vehicles May be designed with a hard wired, dash-mounted switch that enables the vehicle operator to inhibit aftertreatment diesel particulate filter regeneration in environments where the operator believes it May be unsafe for elevated exhaust temperatures. Due to an issue with the logic in the ECM software in these engines, the switch May not function correctly, leading the operator to believe that the switch is in "inhibit" mode when it is not.

Original NHTSA wording

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 FREIGHTLINER M2, CUSTOM CHASSIS MT55, AND STERLING ACTERRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 4, 2007 AND JULY 15, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS ISC CM2150 AND ISL CM2150 MODEL DIESEL ENGINES. THE VEHICLES MAY BE DESIGNED WITH A HARD WIRED, DASH-MOUNTED SWITCH THAT ENABLES THE VEHICLE OPERATOR TO INHIBIT AFTERTREATMENT DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER REGENERATION IN ENVIRONMENTS WHERE THE OPERATOR BELIEVES IT MAY BE UNSAFE FOR ELEVATED EXHAUST TEMPERATURES. DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH THE LOGIC IN THE ECM SOFTWARE IN THESE ENGINES, THE SWITCH MAY NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY, LEADING THE OPERATOR TO BELIEVE THAT THE SWITCH IS IN "INHIBIT" MODE WHEN IT IS NOT.

Risk: This condition will permit hot exhaust gases to exit the vehicle tailpipe, increasing the risk of melting or burning of nearby surfaces, or a fire.

Original NHTSA wording

THIS CONDITION WILL PERMIT HOT EXHAUST GASES TO EXIT THE VEHICLE TAILPIPE, INCREASING THE RISK OF MELTING OR BURNING OF NEARBY SURFACES, OR A FIRE.

Remedy & notes

Daimler trucks is working with cummins to repair the engines free of charge. Please see cummins' defect report 09E-046. The safety recall is expected to begin during November 2009. Owners May contact cummins at 1-800-DIESELS (1-800-343-7357) or daimler trucks at 1-800-547-0712.

Daimler trucks recall no. Fl-565.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

Service Brakes1

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

2008 vs. other Freightliner M2 years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2008. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2008 Freightliner M2 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns covering the 2008 Freightliner M2, the latest from May 14, 2019 (service brakes). 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 2008 Freightliner M2?

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