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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2012 Freightliner M2 Recalls & Complaints

The 2012 Freightliner M2 has 9 NHTSA recall campaigns and 2 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 2012 Freightliner M2. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2012 Freightliner M2 owner complaints

Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Freightliner M2, describing incidents dated October 5, 2012 to September 28, 2018.

Most-cited components

  • Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 1 complaint
  • Engine 1 complaint
  • Suspension 1 complaint
  • Unknown or Other 1 complaint

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11132291 · Filed

    THE INTAKE HEATER LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I INCREASE SPEED OVER 25 MILES AND HOUR. ONCE AT 55 MILES AN HOUR, THE LIGHT STAYS ON.

  • ODI #11043725 · Filed

    SWAY BAR VERTICAL LINK BUSHINGS ARE PULVERIZED COMPLETELY GONE WITHIN 1500 MILES AFTER REPLACEMENT CAUSING AN UNSAFE TOP HEAVY ROLL OF THE MOTORHOME REDUCING STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I'VE HAD FREIGHTLINER SAN DIEGO REPLACE THESE BUSHING, I'VE REPLACED THEM TWICE, AND HAD A SUSPENSION SHOP…

Read all 2 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.

Vent Tube May Detach from Engine Breather

NHTSA #15V343000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine · NHTSA notice

Reported June 3, 2015 · Daimler Trucks North America LLC

Potentially affected: 3,200 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign FL-681 · Owners notified June 12, 2015 · Vehicles built January 21, 2008 – April 17, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2007-2016 Freightliner 114SD and M2 Business Class trucks, 2008-2009 Sterling LT8500 trucks and Thomas Built Bus Saf-T-Liner HDX transit buses equipped with certain Cummins Westport ISL G engines. Excessive engine crankcase pressures may cause the 90-degree elbow of the vent tube assembly to detach from the crankcase ventilation breather, possibly allowing engine oil to come into contact with hot surfaces.

Safety consequence

If engine oil comes into contact with a hot surface, there is an increased risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Cummins will notify owners on behalf of DTNA, and dealers will secure the ends of the 90-degree elbow. In addition, the electronic control module (ECM) will be reprogrammed with software that can adjust the engine output under misfire conditions to limit crankcase pressures. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on June 12, 2015. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000 or Cummins customer service at 1-800-343-7357. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-681.

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.

Wheelchair Lift Platform Cracking

NHTSA #15V112000 · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility · NHTSA notice

Reported February 25, 2015 · Farber Specialty Vehicles

Potentially affected: 117 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 14E-041 · Owners notified March 24, 2015 · Vehicles built April 16, 2011 – March 27, 2014 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Farber Specialty Vehicles (Farber) is recalling various specialty vehicles modified by Farber and equipped with model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.

Safety consequence

If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.

Manufacturer remedy

Farber will notify owners to take their vehicles to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2015. Owners may contact Farber customer service at 1-800-331-3188, or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Farber's number for this recall is 14E-041.

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.

CNG Cabinet Tank/FMVSS 303

NHTSA #14V680000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Exhaust System — Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe · NHTSA notice

Reported October 29, 2014 · Daimler Trucks North America LLC

Potentially affected: 65 vehicles

Repair completion: 69.23% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign FL-671 · Owners notified February 12, 2015 · Vehicles built June 2, 2011 – October 23, 2014 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Daimler Trucks of North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 Freightliner Cascadia and M2 trucks manufactured June 2, 2011 to October 23, 2014. The vehicles are not in compliance with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards No. 303, "Fuel System Integrity Of Compressed Natural Gas Vehicles." Specifically, the tail pipe on these vehicles terminates under the compressed natural gas (CNG) tank and can overheat the fuel system.

Safety consequence

Due to the area of its placement, the exhaust system forces heat around, and may overheat, the fuel system components, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.

Manufacturer remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will extend the tailpipe beyond the cabinet, free of charge. The recall began Feburary 12, 2015. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-671.

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.

Ice May Form in Intake Manifold

NHTSA #14V080000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine · NHTSA notice

Reported February 21, 2014 · Daimler Trucks North America

Potentially affected: 3,258 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign FL-660 · Owners notified April 12, 2014 · Vehicles built February 19, 2008 – February 11, 2014 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (Daimler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2015 Freightliner 114SD, Cascadia, M2 Business Class, Sterling LT8500, and Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX vehicles manufactured February 19, 2008, through February 11, 2014, and equipped with Cummins Westport Model ISL G and Cummins Westport Model ISX12 G engines. Condensation in the intake manifold may freeze during cold weather conditions and interfere with the proper operation of the intake manifold pressure sensor.

Safety consequence

The sensor malfunction could induce elevated exhaust temperatures or flames from the exhaust pipe, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire or burn injury to a person near the exhaust pipe.

Manufacturer remedy

Cummins and Cummins Westport will notify owners, and authorized Cummins service facilities will upload a new ECM calibration, free of charge. The recall began on April 12, 2014. Customers may contact Daimler at 1-800-385-4357 or Cummins Inc. at 1-800-343-7357. Daimler's number for this recall is FL-660.

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> .

DRIVELINE ASSEMBLIES/MERITOR

NHTSA #11V257000 · Power Train — Driveline · NHTSA notice

Reported April 26, 2011 · DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA

Potentially affected: 347 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign FL-606 · Owners notified June 27, 2011 · Vehicles built January 11, 2011 – February 21, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA, M2, AND WESTERN STAR 4900 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 11, 2011, THROUGH FEBRUARY 21, 2011, AND EQUIPPED WITH A MERITOR DRIVELINE. THE TUBING USED TO ASSEMBLE THE AFFECTED DRIVELINES HAS A NONCONFORMING SEAM WELD WITH INSUFFICIENT BONDING OF THE MATERIAL.

Safety consequence

A TUBE SEAM WELD THAT IS NOT PROPERLY BONDED CAN RESULT IN THE DRIVELINE ASSEMBLY FRACTURING ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE TUBE SEAM WELD. THE FRACTURED TUBE CAN TWIST OR SEVER. THIS COULD RESULT IN ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO THE DRIVELINE, THE VEHICLE TO WHICH IT IS ATTACHED AND ANY ADDITIONAL NEARBY COMPONENTS. THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVELINES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 27, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.

Notes

DAIMLER SAFETY RECALL NO. FL-606.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> .

Other Freightliner M2 model years

Check your 2012 Freightliner M2 VIN

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