NHTSA vehicle safety data
2003 Freightliner Business Class M2 Recalls & Complaints
The 2003 Freightliner Business Class M2 has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Freightliner dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2003 Freightliner Business Class M2. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2003 Freightliner Business Class M2 owner complaints
Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2003 Freightliner Business Class M2, describing incidents dated March 24, 2010.
Most-cited components
- Power Train 1 complaint
Newest complaints
ODI #10328308 · Filed
HAD TO REPLACE THE SEAL ON THE AXLE TWICE IN 6 MONTHS. WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE ENTIRE RIGHT WHEEL BROKE OFF AND RAN OFF THE ROAD CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. MY TRUCK HAD TO BE TOWED AND THE WHEEL WAS RECOVERED AND THE WHOLE WHEEL ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE OLD PARTS DISINTEGRATED DURING THE…
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2003 Freightliner Business Class M2 in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
- Recall Query RQ07-003: FRONT WHEEL SEPARATION
Closed March 26, 2008
8K THIN SPINDLE-NUT/ARVINMERITOR/AXLE ALLIANCE
NHTSA #08V137000 · Power Train — Axle Assembly · NHTSA notice
Reported March 25, 2008 · DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA
Potentially affected: 28,764 vehicles
Manufacturer campaign FL-527 · Owners notified January 8, 2009 · Vehicles built January 26, 2000 – March 24, 2008 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
CONTINUED OPERATION MAY LEAD TO WHEEL SEPARATION AND POSSIBLY A VEHICLE CRASH.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
DAIMLER TRUCKS RECALL NO. FL-527.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
SR-7 SPRING BRAKE VALVE ASSEMBLY/BENDIX/PARKER
NHTSA #07V302000 · Service Brakes, Air — Supply — Check Valve · NHTSA notice
Reported July 16, 2007 · FREIGHTLINER LLC
Potentially affected: 75,000 vehicles
Freightliner campaign FL-504 · Owners notified January 11, 2008 · Vehicles built July 1, 2002 – July 3, 2007 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety 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.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO. FL-504.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
ENGINE COOLING FAN/BORG WARNER
NHTSA #05V126000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Cooling System — Fan · NHTSA notice
Reported March 30, 2005 · FREIGHTLINER LLC
Potentially affected: 3,568 vehicles
Freightliner campaign FL-439 · Owners notified June 8, 2005 · Vehicles built January 1, 2001 – December 31, 2004 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND FIRE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH KYS 4735-43782-02 ENGINE COOLING FANS AND BUILT ON CATERPILLAR 3126, C7, MBE906, MBE926, OR CUMMINS ISC ENGINES, THE STEEL FAN INSERT ON THE COOLING FANS CAN CRACK.
Safety consequence
THIS CAN RESULT IN FAN BREAKAGE, RESULTING IN VEHICLE DAMAGE OR PERSONAL INJURY.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE COOLING FAN FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 8, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
Notes
FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO. FL-439.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
FREIGHTLINER/FRONT WHEEL BEARING
NHTSA #04V272000 · Suspension — Front — Wheel Bearing · NHTSA notice
Reported June 7, 2004 · FREIGHTLINER LLC
Potentially affected: 9,602 vehicles
Freightliner campaign FL-424 · Owners notified September 7, 2004 · Vehicles built January 1, 2002 – October 31, 2003 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS BUILT WITH 8,000 OR 6,000 POUND FRONT AXLES AND FOUR-PIECE SPINDLE NUT SETS, PREMATURE FRONT ,WHEEL BEARING WEAR MAY BE CAUSED BY INCONSISTENT BEARING ENDPLAY ADJUSTMENT.
Safety consequence
IF ALLOWED TO PROGRESS, THE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AXLE OIL SEALS AND HUB CAP GASKETS ON BOTH SIDES. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
Notes
FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO. FL-424. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
FREIGHTLINER/TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER ATTACHMENT
NHTSA #04V205000 · Power Train — Manual Transmission · NHTSA notice
Reported May 4, 2004 · FREIGHTLINER LLC
Potentially affected: 14,000 vehicles
Freightliner campaign FL-420 · Owners notified May 21, 2004 · Vehicles built starting May 3, 2002 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION, THE TAPERED JOINT THAT ATTACHES THE SHIFTER TO THE TRANSMISSION MAY BECOME LOOSE MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO GEAR.
Safety consequence
IF SHIFT LEVER DETACHMENT OCCURS, THA ABILITY RO ACCELERATE OT MAINTAIN SPEED WILL BE LOST, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL RE-SECURE THE SHIFT LEVER TO THE TRANSMISSION USING THREADLOCK AND RE-TORQUING THE FASTENING BOLT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 21, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
Notes
FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO. FL-420.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Other Freightliner Business Class M2 model years
Check your 2003 Freightliner Business Class M2 VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Freightliner Business Class M2 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Check a Freightliner VIN