RoadVitals

2012 Freightliner Business Class M2

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
4
Latest Jun 16, 2022
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
12
Latest Apr 14, 2020
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Freightliner Business Class M2, most frequently naming the engine, exterior lighting and steering categories. 12 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 608 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine133.3%
  • Exterior lighting133.3%
  • Steering133.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

12 campaigns cover this model year

View all 12

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
20V214000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Apr 14, 2020
63,175 units potentially affected
The defect: 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."
The risk: The vehicle's rearward visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: 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.
Daimler Trucks North America LLCManufacturer number FL848View on NHTSA.gov
18V503000

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

Jul 31, 2018
1,256 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The remedy: 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.
Daimler Trucks North America LLCManufacturer number FL782View on NHTSA.gov
16V206000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:CALIPER

Apr 12, 2016
702 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: Caliper contact with the spring suspension may reduce the braking effectiveness, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: 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.
Daimler Trucks North America LLCManufacturer number FL-705View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE12018ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

Air Brake Reservoir Bracket Fracture

Opened Jun 25, 2012
Closed Sep 20, 2012

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.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:RESERVOIR/TANKLed to recall 12V405000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Filed Jun 16, 2022

ELD disconnected by a not yet qualified driver. Driver ID known, vehicle known but the location of the vehicle unknown. We are not able to locate the vehicle and by the conduct of the driver we believe he can be a threat on the road.

NHTSA ID
11469508
Incident
Jun 15, 2022
Engine
Filed Nov 28, 2020

CATALYTIC HAS ISSUES

NHTSA ID
11376875
Incident
Nov 19, 2020
Mileage
100 mi
Steering
Filed May 28, 2019

PERSISTENT FRONT SWAY BAR BUSHING FAILURE CAUSING EXCESSIVE ROLL IN VEHICLE STEERING WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. RELATED TO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 32-47. BUSHINGS FAIL AFTER ONLY A FEW THOUSAND MILES AND MUST BE REPLACED REPEATEDLY.

NHTSA ID
11210358
Incident
Aug 20, 2012
Mileage
6,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jun 4, 2012

THE PARKING LAMPS HAD FAILED PREMATURELY ON THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY INSTANCE OF THESE LAMPS FAILING ON THE 2012 MODEL YEAR FREIGHTLINER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10460556
Incident
Apr 18, 2012
Mileage
4,399 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SS 3146-FTL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Service Solution for M2, 108SD, 114SD - Unable to Program Replacement Bulkhead Module - Certain Model Years

SS 3124-FTL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Service Solution for Legacy M2 Bulkhead Module (BHM) Replacement and DiagnosticLink Issues

SS3146-FTL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Service Solution for M2, 108SD, 114SD - Unable to Program Replacement Bulkhead Module - Certain Model Years

CXA 8_24_Bulkhead Module

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CX Advocate for bulkhead module reprogramming (SS 3146-FTL)

SS3146-FTL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Service Solution for M2, 108SD, 114SD - Unable to Program Replacement Bulkhead Module - Certain Model Years

WI21-009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Warranty Information letter announcing that DTNA is increasing the Standard Diagnostic Times (SDTs) shown. The updated after treatment system (ATS) diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) pump times will be applied to repair orders opened on or after April 12, 2021.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Freightliner Business Class M2 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027010—
2026050—
20251110—
2024070—
2023170—
2022190—
20212140—
20208120—
20190230—
20180160—
20171150—
20161160—
20154140—
20140102—
20130111—
2012Viewing4121—
2011083—
20100102—
2009282—
20081141—
20074173—
20068132—
2005792—
20048101—
2003151—
2002051—
2001020—
2000010—
1999000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.