What Freightliner M2 owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Freightliner M2 safety recalls or check your VIN.
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA, by the model year of the vehicle. A high count can also mean a popular year, so compare it with how many were sold.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injured | Deaths | TSBs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2019 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 |
| 2018 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 141 |
| 2017 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 91 |
| 2016 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 137 |
| 2015 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 136 |
| 2014 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 136 |
| 2013 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 127 |
| 2012 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 128 |
| 2011 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 127 |
| 2010 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 126 |
The vehicle systems named most often in Freightliner M2 complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
While driving on the Interstate check-engine light came on, engine governed to very slow speeds and ultimately became undrivable. This has happened twice. In May and August of 2026. According to Velocity Truck Centers in North Las Vegas, NV Engine harness contacted and chafed around air compressor. Vehicle is at Velocity Truck Centers in North Las Vegas, NV. This is the same failure as described in DTNA's recall FL-858.
The contact owns a 2021 Freightliner XC-M. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 21V00H000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING) and 21V921000 (TIRES). The contact had not experienced a failure. The contact reached out to the manufacturer with questions about the recalls. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V00H000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING). However, the manufacturer informed the contact that the repair for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V921000 (TIRES) would not be completed because the recall had expired.
Rocker arm failure. Detroit released repair at no cost on the DD15 and up but not on the DD5 when they have the exact same problem and design and parts as the larger engines and they know that it is a problem.
The contact owns a 2021 Freightliner XC Line Motorhome. The contact stated that the ICU on the coach had delaminated over time and made it difficult to read. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the ICU panel was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 17,800.
The contact owns a 2021 Freightliner M2. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and slightly depressing the accelerator pedal, the pedal travelled down to the floorboard and was stuck, causing the vehicle to accelerate unintendedly. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact shifted to neutral(N), pulled over to the side of the road, and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated as needed temporarily. The contact stated that the failure had caused him to pull over to the side of the road several times in one drive. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring intermittentl…
The contact called on behalf of the owner of a 2017 Freightliner M2. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power and slammed into gear. The vehicle returned to normal functionality and the contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The message "Range Motion Detected" was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact continued driving slowly. An independent mechanic went to the workplace to diagnose the vehicle. The contact was informed that the retaining clip had failed, causing the hose to pop out and transmission fluid to leak. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The contact stated the vehicle failed to shift into reverse(R) or dr…
The contact owns a 2021 Freightliner M2. The contact stated that while a driver was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started decelerating unintendedly and then stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The driver was able to coast to the side of the roadway. The driver was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated that there was an excessive amount of oil in the engine. The dealer determined that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V466000 (Electrical System, Engine); but the VIN was not included in the recall, and the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was no…
The contact owns a 2022 Freightliner M2. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Forward Collision Avoidance warning light inadvertently illuminated with no traffic nearby. The contact stated that the brake pedal inadvertently engaged, causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 19,408.
Repair instructions and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about known issues. A TSB is not a recall, and the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty; ask your dealer for the bulletin number.
Tech Talk discussion on Air line Coding and location in manual.
Tech Talk discussion on New Beam clamp for harness routing 23-14234-002.
Tech Talk discussion on ICU 3 holding diff lock lights.
Tech Talk discussion on M2 brake lights staying on all the time.
Tech Talk discussion on losing TPS signal.
Notice concerning Freightliner Service Bulletin 20-086
Customer Advisory Letter for 80KSI Frame Reinforcement Installation for certain vehicles equipped with 80KSI frame rails and Airliner 21,000LB rear suspensions.
This service kit includes all necessary parts to replace the high pressure fuel rail feed lines, mounting bracket, P-clips and mounting hardware in the event one of these parts are loosened, removed or missing from the engine.
Service Information Bulletin was released, to add new procedures to address diagnostics near the high pressure pump
This service kit includes all necessary parts to replace the high pressure fuel rail feed lines, mounting bracket, P-clips and mounting hardware in the event one of these parts are loosened, removed or missing from the engine.
Warranty Information Letter sent to customers regarding new refrigerator supplier for returning parts.
This service kit includes all necessary parts to replace the high pressure fuel rail feed lines, mounting bracket, P-clips and mounting hardware in the event one of these parts are loosened, removed or missing from the engine.
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opens these when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Many end in a recall.
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is only aware of the one subject fuel container rupture incident on the subject vehicles that first prompted this investigation. The subject CNG fuel system and fuel container design, material, manufacture, assembly and performance appear to be consistent with certain other manufacturers of CNG vehicles and related items of motor vehicle equipment, and in accordance with standards in effect at the time of manufacture. Since the subject incident, new and
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
DTNA submitted a 573 Recall notice (11V-289) prior to the IR response date and therefore was granted permission to forgo submission of the IR response.Freightliner reported that Fontaine's TSB issued in March had resulted in the remedy of 55 percent of all subject vehicles with an additional 33% scheduled by the time of their 573 submission.Freightliner will issue another notification 1 July if 100% of the subject population is not remedied by that time.ODI is aware that the Ultra LT 5th wheel w
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation public data (complaints, manufacturer communications, investigations), model years 2010 and later. Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA.
In complaints filed with NHTSA for model years 2010–2022, owners most often name: unknown or other, engine, power train. 34 complaints are on record.
No. A complaint is an unverified report from an owner. A technical service bulletin (TSB) is the manufacturer telling dealers how to fix a known issue; it is not a safety recall and is usually covered only under warranty. A recall is a formal safety action, and its repair is free.
File a vehicle safety complaint at NHTSA.gov. NHTSA reads every report, and patterns of complaints are what open defect investigations and, eventually, recalls.