Freightliner BUSINESS CLASS M2 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
54 owner complaints analyzed
111 distinct recall campaigns
50,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2000 to 2027 model years. Data snapshot: . 35 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 54 complaints (22.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 17 | 31.5% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 11.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 3.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 12 |
| Service Brakes | 8 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
Unknown Or Other: 12; Service Brakes: 8; Electrical System: 4; Fuel System, Diesel: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 3; Steering: 3; Engine: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 4
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 19 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2004: 3; 2006: 6; 2007: 1; 2009: 3; 2010: 4; 2011: 2; 2012: 3; 2013: 3; 2014: 2; 2015: 4; 2016: 1; 2017: 3; 2019: 2; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 3; 2023: 1; 2024: 10; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10079129 · 2004-07-01 (July 1, 2004)
THE FREIGHTLINER TRACTORS WE ARE NOW USING AT YELLOW TRANSPORTATION, IN NATIONWIDE SERVICE, HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE FOOT BRAKES. THE BRAKES, WHEN APPLIED, ARE VERY SLOW TO RELEASE. I FEEL THIS COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS PROBLEM ON SLICK SURFACES. WE USUALLY PULL TWIN TRAILERS BEHIND THESE TRACTORS--AND THEY ARE SLEEPER CABS, TWO MAN OPERATION. THE BRAKES WILL OFTEN DRAG THE VEHICLE TO A STOP, EVEN WHEN NO PRESSURE IS BEING APPLIED.(AS WHEN COMING TO A RED LIGHT-THE LIGHT CHANGES,BRAKES ARE RELEASED, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO SLOW AND WILL COME TO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10079129 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10093505 · 2004-10-02 (October 2, 2004)
(1) DESIGN (2) PARKING BRAKE ALLOWS VEHICLE TO MOVE AS MUCH AS 4 INCHES AFTER SETTING. UNABLE TO HOOK-UP TRAILER WITHOUT 2 PEOPLE. DAMAGED HITCH. (3) FREIGHTLINER CLAIMS IT CAN NOT BE FIXED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10093505 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10165708 · 2006-08-24 (August 24, 2006)
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 ↗
Owner report 11210358 · 2019-05-28 (May 28, 2019)
PERSISTENT FRONT SWAY BAR BUSHING FAILURE CAUSING EXCESSIVE ROLL IN VEHICLE STEERING WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. RELATED TO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 32-47. BUSHINGS FAIL AFTER ONLY A FEW THOUSAND MILES AND MUST BE REPLACED REPEATEDLY.
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11210358 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11432993 · 2021-09-14 (September 14, 2021)
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 ↗
Owner report 11713604 · 2026-01-27 (January 27, 2026)
The contact owns a 2025 Freightliner M2. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH and driving over a bump, the contact’s leg struck the gear shifter, shifting the gear shifter into neutral. The contact believed that the gear shifter was not in a good location and that the gear shifter was too close to the driver's leg. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 23.
Owner-reported narrative. 23 miles reported. Look up ODI 11713604 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10165180 · 2006-08-10 (August 10, 2006)
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 ↗
Owner report 10667090 · 2014-12-18 (December 18, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAT FAN WIRING HARNESS OVERHEATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE ON POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10667090 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 12 |
| 2013 | 11 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2015 | 14 |
| 2016 | 16 |
| 2017 | 15 |
| 2018 | 16 |
| 2019 | 23 |
| 2020 | 12 |
| 2021 | 14 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2026 | 5 |
| 2027 | 1 |
2011: 8; 2012: 12; 2013: 11; 2014: 10; 2015: 14; 2016: 16; 2017: 15; 2018: 16; 2019: 23; 2020: 12; 2021: 14; 2022: 9; 2023: 7; 2024: 7; 2025: 11; 2026: 5; 2027: 1
Year-by-year records
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Change in recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 0 | 1 | Not available |
| 2001 | 0 | 2 | +1 |
| 2002 | 0 | 5 | +3 |
| 2003 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| 2004 | 8 | 9 | +4 |
| 2005 | 7 | 9 | 0 |
| 2006 | 8 | 13 | +4 |
| 2007 | 4 | 17 | +4 |
| 2008 | 1 | 14 | -3 |
| 2009 | 2 | 8 | -6 |
| 2010 | 0 | 10 | +2 |
| 2011 | 0 | 8 | -2 |
| 2012 | 4 | 12 | +4 |
| 2013 | 0 | 11 | -1 |
| 2014 | 0 | 10 | -1 |
| 2015 | 4 | 14 | +4 |
| 2016 | 1 | 16 | +2 |
| 2017 | 1 | 15 | -1 |
| 2018 | 0 | 16 | +1 |
| 2019 | 0 | 23 | +7 |
| 2020 | 8 | 12 | -11 |
| 2021 | 2 | 14 | +2 |
| 2022 | 1 | 9 | -5 |
| 2023 | 1 | 7 | -2 |
| 2024 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| 2025 | 1 | 11 | +4 |
| 2026 | 0 | 5 | -6 |
| 2027 | 0 | 1 | -4 |