RoadVitals

2006 Freightliner 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.
3
Latest Aug 3, 2017
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.
5
Latest May 14, 2019
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.
0
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 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Freightliner M2, most frequently naming the brakes and exterior lighting categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 121 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

  • Brakes266.7%
  • Exterior lighting133.3%

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

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

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
19V370000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:RESERVOIR/TANK

May 14, 2019
741 units potentially affected
The defect: 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."
The risk: An insufficient air reservoir volume may reduce brake effectiveness, increasing the risk of crash.
The remedy: 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.
Daimler Trucks North America LLCManufacturer number FL-815View on NHTSA.gov
15V220000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH; SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

Apr 14, 2015
3,571 units potentially affected
The defect: 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."
The 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.
The remedy: 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.
Fontaine ModificationView on NHTSA.gov
11V465000

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

Sep 8, 2011
4,444 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The remedy: 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 TRUCKS NORTH AMERICAManufacturer number FL-612View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Brakes
Filed Aug 3, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FREIGHTLINER M2 106. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RELEASE THE AIR BRAKE, IT WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WALKED THROUGH THE PROCESS OF TEMPORARILY REPAIRING THE BRAKE. AN UNKNOWN DEALER PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH A REPAIR ESTIMATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,439.

NHTSA ID
11012581
Incident
Dec 3, 2016
Mileage
62,439 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed May 5, 2015

THIS FREIGHTLINER M2 HAS BEEN MADE INTO A MOTORHOME BY DYNAMAX CORP. THE CRUISE CONTROL AND BRAKE SYSTEM ARE FREIGHTLINER. I NOTICED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT ALWAYS DISENGAGE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND I HAD TO SWITCH IT OFF MANUALLY. UPON FURTHER CHECKING, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ALSO NOT COMING ON WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. I CHECKED THE RECALLS AND THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WAS UNDER RECALL #10V178000. THE LOCAL FREIGHTLINER DEALER SAID MY VEHICLE DID NOT COME UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE IT USED DIFFERENT SWITCH. MY SWITCH IS A FORD #3F2T-13480-CR, UNDER THE NUMBER IS THE WORD POLLAK. THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED AND ABOUT $550.00 LATER THE CRUISE CONTROL AND BRAKE LIGHTS WORK AS THEY SHOULD. I THINK THAT THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO FURTHER SINCE FREIGHTLINER OBVIOUSLY DID NOT IDENTIFY ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH THE FIRST RECALL. I HAVE THE SWITCH IF IT IS NEEDED FOR TESTING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10714793
Incident
Jul 20, 2014
Mileage
64,498 mi
Brakes
Filed May 31, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FREIGHTLINER M2 LIGHT CHASSIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS LOCKED, HEATED UP AND ALMOST CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE FRONT BRAKES WERE DISABLED AS A TEMPORARY FIX. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE TWO FRONT CALIPERS. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE CALIPERS WERE MALFUNCTIONING AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE DEALER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,450. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 18,400.

NHTSA ID
10403883
Incident
Jun 21, 2010
Mileage
18,400 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

TT8745

POWER TRAIN

Notice concerning Freightliner Service Bulletin 20-086

19-008WI

EQUIPMENT

Warranty Information Letter sent to customers regarding new refrigerator supplier for returning parts.

SF585 2

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Receiver/Dryer Bracket and CAC Plumbing Interference

SF585

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Receiver/Dryer Bracket and CAC Plumbing Interference Field Service Campaign

18TS4Rev DD

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

18TS4Rev DD Heavy Duty Platform Accessory Drive Belt

GHG17

ENGINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

Letter to customer on Coverage Extension GHG17 After Treatment

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 M2 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024020—
2023020—
2022310—
2021720—
2020020—
2019110—
2018040—
2017160—
2016260—
20151120—
20141111—
2013180—
2012290—
20110172—
20101171—
20093151—
20081100—
2007271—
2006Viewing350—
2005020—
2004000—

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.