NHTSA vehicle safety data

2006 Freightliner M2 Recalls & Complaints

The 2006 Freightliner M2 has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 3 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Freightliner dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2006 Freightliner M2. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2006 Freightliner M2 owner complaints

Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Freightliner M2, describing incidents dated June 21, 2010 to December 3, 2016.

Most-cited components

Service Brakes 2 complaints
Exterior Lighting 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11012581 · Filed August 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…
ODI #10714793 · 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…
ODI #10403883 · 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…

Read all 3 complaints

Insufficient Air Reservoir Volume/FMVSS 121

NHTSA #19V370000 · Service Brakes, Air — Supply — Reservoir/Tank · NHTSA notice

Reported May 14, 2019 · Daimler Trucks North America LLC

Potentially affected: 741 vehicles

Repair completion: 38.87% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign FL-815 · Owners notified June 25, 2021 · Vehicles built April 1, 2004 – October 12, 2018 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

An insufficient air reservoir volume may reduce brake effectiveness, increasing the risk of crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Brake Lights may not Illuminate/FMVSS 121

NHTSA #15V220000 · Service Brakes, Air · NHTSA notice

Reported April 14, 2015 · Fontaine Modification

Potentially affected: 3,571 vehicles

Repair completion: 11.51% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified June 12, 2015 · Vehicles built January 2, 2006 – January 23, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL

NHTSA #11V465000 · Electronic Stability Control (ESC) · NHTSA notice

Reported September 8, 2011 · DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA

Potentially affected: 4,444 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign FL-612 · Owners notified March 28, 2012 · Vehicles built September 15, 2005 – September 1, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

DAIMLER SAFETY RECALL NUMBER IS FL-612.OWNERS 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 <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

GRID HEATER/POSSIBLE FIRE

NHTSA #11V455000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine · NHTSA notice

Reported August 31, 2011 · DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA

Potentially affected: 43 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 10C-5 · Owners notified September 12, 2011 · Vehicles built June 23, 2004 – March 15, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2012 FREIGHTLINER M2, STERLING ACTERRA, 7500 & 8500, AND THOMAS BUILT HDX VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 23, 2004, THROUGH MARCH 15, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH SPECIFIC MBE900 EPA04 AND EPA07 MODEL ENGINES. THE INTAKE AIR GRID HEATER MAY SHORT CIRCUIT AND FAIL DUE TO EXCESSIVE INTERNAL TEMPERATURES.

Safety consequence

A SHORT CIRCUITED GRID HEATER COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE AND INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Manufacturer remedy

DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY DETROIT DIESEL CORPORATION AUTHORIZED REPAIR FACILITIES. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-547-0712. THIS RECALL IS AN EXPANSION OF A PREVIOUS RECALL, CAMPAIGN NUMBER 10V-341.

Notes

DAIMLER TRUCKS' RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 10C-5.OWNERS 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 <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

GRID HEATER/POSSIBLE FIRE

NHTSA #11V146000 · Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA notice

Reported March 3, 2011 · DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA

Potentially affected: 2,073 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 10C-5 · Owners notified December 2, 2011 · Vehicles built starting March 20, 2006 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2011 FREIGHTLINER, CASCADIA, CENTURY, COLUMBIA FLD, AND M2, STERLING 9500, AND WESTERN STAR 4900 HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 20, 2006, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH SPECIFIC MBE4000 EPA07 MODEL ENGINES. THE INTAKE AIR GRID HEATER MAY SHORT CIRCUIT AND FAIL DUE TO EXCESSIVE INTERNAL TEMPERATURES.

Safety consequence

A SHORT CIRCUITED GRID HEATER COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE AND INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Manufacturer remedy

DTNA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE RECALL DURING MARCH 2011. ANOTHER NOTIFICATION WILL BE ISSUED ONCE THE REMEDY IS RELEASED. DTNA EXPECTS THE REMEDY TO BE AVAILABLE BY DECEMBER 1, 2011. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY DTNA DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DTNA TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-547-0712. THIS RECALL IS ASSCOCIATED WITH A PREVIOUS RECALL, CAMPAIGN NUMBER 10V-341.

Notes

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2006 Freightliner M2. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

3 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Freightliner M2.

Service Brakes, Air

ODI #11012581

Incident: December 3, 2016 · Filed: August 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.

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10714793

Incident: July 20, 2014 · 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

Service Brakes, Air

ODI #10403883

Incident: June 21, 2010 · 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.

Other Freightliner M2 model years

Check your 2006 Freightliner M2 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Freightliner M2 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Freightliner VIN