2006 Freightliner BUSINESS CLASS M2: complaints, problems and recalls

ON 3-4-06 I WAS DRIVING AN M2 FREIGHTLINER OVER THE ROAD ON I-80 IN PA WHEN HIT A POT HOLE AND THE TRUCK LIFTED ME OUT OF THE SEAT . WHEN I CAME BACK DOWN ON THE SEAT I INJURED MY BACK . THE INJURY PUT ME IN THE HOSPITAL WITH A BACK STRAIN. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 2,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10152097 at NHTSA ↗

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO SUGGESTED THE FUEL FILTER BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE STARTED AND WAS DRIVEN TO A PARKING LOT WHERE THE FUEL FILTER WAS CHANGED. THREE DAYS LATER, VEHICLE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHO REPLACED AN INJECTOR. THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, AND THE OIL PUMP, INJECTORS, TURBO, AND RADIATOR FILTERS WERE …

Owner-reported narrative. 42,198 miles reported. Look up ODI 10165180 at NHTSA ↗

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF TRUSSVILLE PURCHASED A NEW BUS FROM ILLINOIS BUS SALES (IBS), 1216 RAND ROAD, DES PLAINES, IL 60016, THE BUS HAS SEATING CAPACITY FOR 36 INDIVIDUALS. THE CHURCH PAID CASH FOR THE BUS. IT WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM IBS ON MAY 23, 2006. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER IS [VIN removed] - 2006 FREIGHTLINER F160/M2 - AMERITRANS BODY - AT TIME OF PURCHASE IT HAD 197 MILES. ON THE FIRST OCCASION TO USE THE BUS WITH PASSENGERS, IT VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND WOULD NOT STAY ON THE ROAD. IT HAS A STEERING DEFECT AS WELL. IN ADDI…

Owner-reported narrative. 550 miles reported. Look up ODI 10165708 at NHTSA ↗

PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW CONTINUES TO COME OFF TRACK WHEN DOOR IS SHUT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO FREIGHTLINER REPAIR FACILITY NUMEROUS TIMES AND THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES TO EXIST. FACTORY REPS STATE THAT THIS IS A DEFECT BUT IT IS NOT A RECALL. WHEN THE DOOR IS SHUT, THE METAL FLEXES AND CAUSES THE WINDOW TO FALL OFF ITS TRACK. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 5,896 miles reported. Look up ODI 10207609 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER ON BOTH OCCASIONS WHERE THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND SPINDLES WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,446.

Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10350251 at NHTSA ↗

REAR BRAKES STARTED DRAGGING WHILE DRIVING ALONG. I STOPPED TO CHECK THEM AND THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE WAS VERY HOT AND SMELLING OF OVERHEATED BRAKES. I TURNED AROUND TO TRY AND MAKE IT HOME BUT THE NEXT TIME I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO GET STOPPED. I WAS TOWED TO A FREIGHTLINER SERVICE CENTER WHERE THEY TOLD ME I HAD A STUCK CALIPER. THIS VEHICLE IS A MOTORHOME CONVERSION BY DYNAMAX AND HAS HYDRAULIC, ABS BRAKES. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 50,607 miles reported. Look up ODI 10461961 at NHTSA ↗

I HAVE HAD 4 BRAKE FAILURES DUE TO STUCK CALIPERS AND SEVERE OVERHEATING AND LOSS OF BRAKES DUE TO BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. ALL 4 WHEELS HAVE BEEN AFFECTED AT DIFFERENT TIMES. TWO WERE WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND TWO WHILE DRIVING ON SECONDARY ROADS. TWO OF THE FAILURES REQUIRED TOWING TO THE REPAIR FACILITY. THE BRAKES ARE BOSCH DISC BRAKES WITH 66MM DUAL PISTONS, THE TIMELINE ON THE STUCK CALIPERS IS AS FOLLOWS; JUNE 20, 2012, 50,908 MILES, RIGHT REAR CALIPER STUCK AND LOST BRAKES, TOWED TO FREIGHTLINER SERVICE CENTE…

Owner-reported narrative. 84,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11035792 at NHTSA ↗

Not sure if it is a malfunction or not. Can not verify. Seller mentioned: “Allison Automatic Transmission will not shift from Neutral to Drive or Reverse unless you hit the brake”. It does shift w/o braking. This seems like it would be a safety issue but Freightliner Techs can not verify. Vehicle is new to me and has not been inspected yet although I did consult Freigthliner tech via phone. No warning lights related. Operates fine otherwise.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11432993 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2005-11-22 (November 22, 2005)

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FONTAINE MODIFICATION RIGHT HAND STEERING CONTROL AND EQUIPPED WITH SIT DOWN DUAL DRIVE CONVERSIONS, THE PINCH BOLT THAT SECURES THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT CONNECTION TO THE LH MITER BOX MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY TORQUED CAUSING THE BOLTS TO FALL OUT.

Consequence: THIS MAY CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT PINCH BOLT AT THE CONNECTION AND BOLTS ON THE STEERING CROSS SHAFT WILL BE REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 17, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2005-12-06 (December 6, 2005)

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND MOTOR HOME CHASSIS, THE TOP FLANGE OF THE FRONT AXLE I-BEAM MAY FATIGUE AND FRACTURE.

Consequence: DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2006, FOR PHASE I. PHASE 2 WILL BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2006. THIS RECALL IS BEING CONDUCTED IN TWO PHASES. PHASE I WILL REPLACE THE COMPLETE AXLE ASSEMBLY; AND PHASE II WILL REPLACE THE AXLE BEAM AND STEERING KNUCKLES. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2007-04-12 (April 12, 2007)

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS BUILT WITH FRONT AXLES ASSEMBLED BY ARVINMERITOR, THE FRONT SPINDLE NUT MAY BE OVER-TIGHTENED CAUSING PRELOAD ON THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WHICH COULD LEAD TO PREMATURE BEARING WEAR.

Consequence: IF RAPID BEARING WEAR IS ALLOWED TO PROGRESS, THE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT HUB INSTALLATION FOR CORRECT BEARING ADJUSTMENT. IF THE BEARING ADJUSTMENT IS INCORRECT, THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WILL BE REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 28, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-385-4357.

Reported: 2007-07-16 (July 16, 2007)

CERTAIN FREIGHTLINER SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS, HEAVY TRUCKS, AND THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JULY 2002 AND JULY 3, 2007, EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX SR-7 SPRING BRAKE CONTROL VALVES. THE PARKER SCV BRASS 90 DEGREE SINGLE CHECK VALVES (SCV) WHICH ATTACH TO THE SUPPLY PORT OF A BENDIX SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVE CAN BREAK APART. PIECES OF THE PARKER SCV CAN BECOME LODGED INSIDE THE SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVE, POTENTIALLY CAUSING EITHER LEAKAGE OUT OF THE SR-7 VALVE OR PREVENTING AIR FROM PROPERLY EXHAUSTING FROM THE SR-7 VALVE. ALSO, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE INTERNAL RUBBER CHECK VALVE INSIDE THE SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVES, THE VALVES CAN BECOME DEFORMED AND NOT SEAT PROPERLY.

Consequence: THESE CONDITIONS COULD EITHER RESULT IN LEAKAGE AND CAUSE A DELAY IN THE APPLICATION OF THE SPRING BRAKE WITHOUT WARNING OR POSSIBLY LEAD TO UNINTENDED VEHICLE ROLLAWAY OR BRAKE DRAG WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY, OR DEATH.

Remedy: FREIGHTLINER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2008 TO FREIGHTLINER, STERLING, AND FREIGHTLINER CUSTOM CHASSIS OWNERS; TO THOMAS BUILT BUS OWNERS ON FEBRUARY 1, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2007-11-13 (November 13, 2007)

ON CERTAIN TRUCK-TRACTORS EQUIPPED WITH HOLLAND SIMPLEX SE OR SE II FIFTH WHEELS, THE LATCH LEVER PIVOT BOLT ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN OVER-TIGHTENED WHICH COULD DISTORT THE PIVOT BOLT SPACER SLEEVE. CORROSION OR CONTAMINATES IN THE PIVOT MAY CAUSE IT TO BIND AND PREVENT THE FIFTH WHEEL JAW FROM LATCHING SECURELY AROUND THE TRAILER KING PIN.

Consequence: THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE FIFTH WHEEL MAY FAIL TO LATCH WITHOUT THE DRIVER'S KNOWLEDGE. WHEN THE OCCURS, THE DRIVER COULD DRIVE AWAY AND THE TRAILER COULD BECOME DISENGAGED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PIVOT BOLT AND SLEEVE WITH A HEX HEAD SHOULDER BOLT AND WASHER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 3, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2008-03-11 (March 11, 2008)

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 62,000 MY 2005-2007 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS, CENTURY CLASS, COLUMBIA, CORONADO, FLD, CLASSIC, STERLING A-LINE, L-LINE, AND WESTERN STAR 4900 TRUCKS. A FRACTURED FUEL LINE COULD LEAK DIESEL FUEL.

Consequence: IF A LEAK CONTINUES UNDETECTED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, FUEL MAY IGNITE AT A HOT ENGINE SURFACE AND/OR FUEL MAY BE SPILLED ON THE ROAD SURFACE.

Remedy: HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINES AND TRANSFER TUBES WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED FREE OF CHARGED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 9, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2008-03-25 (March 25, 2008)

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 28,764 MY 2001 THROUGH 2008 FCCC B2 AND FS65 SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS, FCCC FB65 CONVENTIONAL BUSES, AND STERLING ACTERRA, FREIGHTLINER FLN, AND BUSINESS CLASS M2 HEAVY TRUCKS, BUILT FROM JANUARY 26, 2000, THROUGH MARCH 24, 2008, MANUFACTURED WITH ARVINMERITOR OR AXLE ALLIANCE COMPANY 6,000 THROUGH 8,000 POUND FRONT AXLES UTILIZING A FOUR PIECE SPINDLE-NUT SET. THESE AXLE ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH A THIN SPINDLE NUT WHICH MAY LEAD TO INCORRECT END PLAY, CONE SPIN, EXCESSIVE HEAT, DEGRADATION OF LUBRICATION, WEAR OF THE SPINDLE NUT AND BEARING JOURNAL, OIL CONTAMINATION WITH METAL SHAVINGS, AND PREMATURE BEARING FAILURE.

Consequence: CONTINUED OPERATION MAY LEAD TO WHEEL SEPARATION AND POSSIBLY A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 8, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2008-04-03 (April 3, 2008)

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 724 MY 2006-2007 BUSINESS CLASS M2 TRUCKS. THE OPTIONAL HIGH CURRENT TAIL LAMP POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (PDM) WAS INSTALLED IN A LOCATION HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER INTRUSION. THIS MAY LEAD TO A LOSS OF REAR LIGHTING.

Consequence: A LOSS OF SOME OR ALL REAR LIGHTING ON THE VEHICLE UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS MAY IMPAIR VISIBILITY OF THE TRUCK INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL RELOCATE THE PDM TO INSIDE THE CAB BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SEAT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2008-12-17 (December 17, 2008)

DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA (DTNA) IS RECALLING 24,650 SCHOOL AND NON-SCHOOL BUSES, MOTOR HOME CHASSIS, AND TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 9, 2004 THROUGH AUGUST 18, 2006, EQUIPPED WITH EPA04 CERTIFIED MBE900 ENGINES, MANUFACTURED BY DETROIT DIESEL BETWEEN MARCH 1, 2004, AND JULY 31, 2006. THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINES AND TRANSFER TUBES MAY FATIGUE AND FRACTURE.

Consequence: A FRACTURED FUEL LINE MAY LEAK DIESEL FUEL POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE OR FUEL MAY BE SPILLED ON THE ROAD CAUSING A SLIPPERY SURFACE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DETROIT DIESEL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE VEHICLES WILL BE REPAIRED WITH MORE ROBUST LINES AND VIBRATION DAMPERS FREE OF CHARGE. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED DETROIT DIESEL DISTRIBUTORSHIPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DETROIT DIESEL 1-313-592-3708 OR DTNA TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-547-0712 FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Reported: 2010-04-30 (April 30, 2010)

DTNA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2011 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS C2, FCCC B2 CHASSIS, S2 CHASSIS, AND MC CHASSIS MANUFACTURED BEGINNING JANUARY 19, 2005 THROUGH APRIL 16, 2010. THE STOP LAMPS MAY BE INTERMITTENT DURING LIGHT BRAKE APPLICATIONS.

Consequence: THE STOP LAMPS MAY NOT PROPERLY INDICATE THAT THE SERVICE BRAKES ARE APPLIED WHICH MAY LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DTNA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY DTNA DEALERSHIPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DTNA AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2011-09-16 (September 16, 2011)

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2008 HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 11, 2003, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 28, 2007, EQUIPPED WITH EPA04 MODEL MBE4000 ENGINES BUILT WITH PLASTIC LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINES AND FUEL FILTERS MOUNTED NEAR THE CENTER OF THE ENGINE ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE. THE PLASTIC LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINE BETWEEN ENGINE MOUNTED FUEL FILTER AND ENGINE BLOCK MAY DEVELOP A SUBSTANTIAL DIESEL FUEL LEAK.

Consequence: THIS COULD CREATE A ROAD HAZARD INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED BY DETROIT DIESEL CORPORATION AUTHORIZED REPAIR FACILITIES. VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND THE PLASTIC LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A STEEL LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM LETTER WAS MAILED TO OWNERS ON OCTOBER 28, 2011. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 21, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2012-02-28 (February 28, 2012)

DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2013 FREIGHTLINER, STERLING, AND WESTERN STAR VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH DETROIT DIESEL EPA07 AND EPA10, DD13 AND DD15/16 ENGINES, MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 20, 2006, THROUGH FEBRUARY 20, 2012. THE PUMP TO RAIL HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE SUPPORT SYSTEM USED ON THESE ENGINES IS SENSITIVE TO ASSEMBLY TORQUE AND MAY BE DAMAGED DURING SERVICE WORK. AS A RESULT OF OTHER REPAIRS, THE LINE SUPPORTS MAY LOOSEN, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO FUEL LINE CRACKING AND A FUEL LEAK.

Consequence: A FUEL LEAK COULD CREATE A ROAD HAZARD, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. ALSO A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DTNA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND WHERE NECESSARY, THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE SUPPORT SYSTEM WILL BE REPLACED BY DTNA AUTHORIZED SERVICE FACILITIES, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DTNA AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2020-04-14 (April 14, 2020)

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."

Consequence: The vehicle's rearward visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.