RoadVitals

2021 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.
7
Latest Feb 19, 2026
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.
2
Latest Apr 4, 2023
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Freightliner M2, most frequently naming the electrical, powertrain (other) and driver assistance categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 21 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

  • Electrical228.6%
  • Powertrain (other)228.6%
  • Driver assistance114.3%
  • Engine114.3%
  • Tires & wheels114.3%

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

2 campaigns cover this model year

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
23V237000

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES

Apr 4, 2023
57,504 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Freightliner Business-Class M2, FCCC Business-Class M2, FCCC S2G (FCCC Business-Class M2), FCCC S2RV, FCCC SC2 (FCCC Shuttle Chassis), 2021-2022 Freightliner 108SD, and Freightliner 114SD vehicles. The windshield wiper linkages may break, causing the windshield wipers to fail.
The risk: Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the windshield wiper arm and linkage parts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2023. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL969.
Daimler Trucks North America, LLCManufacturer number FL969View on NHTSA.gov
23V105000

STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTION

Feb 20, 2023
60,604 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Freightliner 108SD, 114SD, 122SD, Columbia, Coronado, Business Class M2, and 2020 Freightliner Cascadia vehicles. The drag link taper joint may not have been tightened sufficiently and could come loose, resulting in a complete separation of the drag link from the steering arm.
The risk: Drag link separation can cause a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: DTNA will inspect the drag link taper joint and repair it, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 21, 2023. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL967. This recall expands recall number 21V-689.
Daimler Trucks North America, LLCManufacturer number FL967View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Tires & wheels
Filed Feb 19, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID
11719221
Incident
Feb 19, 2026
Electrical
Filed Jul 8, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID
11672079
Incident
Mar 26, 2025
Mileage
17,800 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 25, 2025

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 intermittently. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the failure recurred, and the vehicle accelerated unintendedly to 70 MPH. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer several times. The dealer test-drove the vehicle and informed the contact that the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.

NHTSA ID
11650436
Incident
Mar 25, 2023
Mileage
15,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 7, 2025

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 not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 151,024.

NHTSA ID
11634557
Incident
Dec 19, 2024
Mileage
151,024 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 13, 2023

Meritor Transfer case has failed due to the internal coating coming off and clogging the oil pump pick up tube screen which starves the oil pump and eventually leads to bearing failure. This is a safety concern because the T-Case is the central connecting point for the drive line. When the bearings fail or seize the torque from the input shaft can cause the connecting components (u-joints, drive shafts) to shake violently and potentially fail, leaving debris in the roadway for other motorists to deal with and also having the potential to damage the trucks brake air system. This could result in an unexpected loss of control by the operator and result in a vehicle crash.

NHTSA ID
11507018
Incident
Feb 13, 2023
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 9, 2023

We have had close to 30 failures of the Meritor Transfer Case in both International and Freightliner chassis. This case specifically and of which I will add photos, is a 2021 Freightliner. The internal coating is flaking off and clogging the oil pump pick up screen which in turn starves the pump and eventually leads to bearing failure. This is a safety concern because the T-Case is the central connecting point for the drive line. When bearings fail or seize the torque from the input shaft can cause the connecting components (u-joints, Drive Shafts) to shake violently and potentially fail, leaving debris in the roadway for other motorists to deal with and also having the potential to damage the trucks brake air system. This could result in an unexpected loss of control by the operator and could result in a crash.

NHTSA ID
11506369
Incident
Nov 18, 2022
Filed Apr 18, 2021
Crash reported

THIS VEHICLE IS OUTFITTED WITH A BRIDGEPORT AUTOMATED ARM GARBAGE TRUCK BODY. AN ACCIDENT RECENTLY OCCURRED ON 14 APRIL 2021 BECAUSE OF NO WARNING SENSOR ON THE FORKS WITH GRAB THE GARBAGE/RECYCLE CART TO WARN THE DRIVER THAT THE FORKS ARE NOT COMPLETELY RETRACTED AND SAFELY STOW FOR TRANSPORT. A WARNING SENSOR IS ON THE FORK BOOM TO WARN THE DRIVER THAT THE BOOM IS NOT FULLY RETRACTED HOWEVER THIS DOES NOT LET THE DRIVER KNOW THAT THE FORKS ARE STILL A POTENTIAL HAZARD. I REALIZE THAT IT IS THE DRIVER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW ALL THE ELEMENTS OF HIS TRUCK, HOWEVER DRIVER'S DO MAKE MISTAKES AND IF THE COMPANY SEES A POTENTIAL ISSUES WITH SAFETY BY INSTALLING A WARNING ALARM ON THE BOOM, SIMPLY MOVING IT TO BEHIND THE FORKS WOULD ELIMINATE ANY POSSIBLY DAMAGE/INJURY TO VEHICLES OR BICYCLIST AND PEDESTRIANS.

NHTSA ID
11408637
Incident
Apr 14, 2021
Mileage
5,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

TechTalk566534K

VISIBILITY

Tech Talk discussion on Air line Coding and location in manual.

TechTalk566554K

EQUIPMENT

Tech Talk discussion on New Beam clamp for harness routing 23-14234-002.

SS1033289

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Service Solution SS 1033289 BHM Fault Code SPN 524249 / FMI 7

SS1032728

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SS 1032728 Bulkhead Module Fault Codes 524280 thru 524286 with FMI 7 Clarification

SS1033180

Service Solution SS 1033180 BHM Fault Code SPN 524251 FMI 7 - Extr...

SS1032974

SS 1032974 High Oil Pressure on 2017 DTNA Vehicles Instrument Cluster Display

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—
2021Viewing720—
2020020—
2019110—
2018040—
2017160—
2016260—
20151120—
20141111—
2013180—
2012290—
20110172—
20101171—
20093151—
20081100—
2007271—
2006350—
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.