2010 Freightliner BUSINESS CLASS M2: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2009-09-15 (September 15, 2009)

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES AND FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2 MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS AND FREIGHTLINER CUSTOM CHASSIS S2 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 21 AND JULY 2, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH TRW IGEN 3 INTERMEDIATE STEERING COLUMNS. THE WELD AROUND THE STEERING SHAFT TUBE THAT SECURES THE SPLINE TUBE TO THE INTERMEDIATE TUBE MAY BE MISLOCATED (I.E., NOT FULLY OVER THE SEAM CREATED WHEN THE TUBES ARE PRESSED TOGETHER.)

Consequence: MISLOCATED WELDS MAY RESULT IN TORSIONAL AND AXIAL STRENGTH FALLING BELOW ACCEPTABLE LEVELS. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE STEERING COLUMN, LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE VEHICLES WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-547-0712.

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: 2010-07-13 (July 13, 2010)

DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2, STERLING ACTERRA, A-LINE, AND L-LINE HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 8, 2008 THROUGH APRIL 20, 2009 EQUIPPED WITH TRW IGEN3 INTERMEDIATE STEERING COLUMNS. THE WELD AROUND THE IGEN3 STEERING SHAFT TUBE THAT SECURES THE SPLINE TUBE TO THE INTERMEDIATE TUBE MAY BE MISLOCATED (I.E., NOT FULLY OVER THE SEAM CREATED WHEN THE TUBES ARE PRESSED TOGETHER.)

Consequence: MISLOCATED WELDS MAY RESULT IN TORSIONAL AND AXIAL STRENGTH FALLING BELOW ACCEPTABLE LEVELS. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE STEERING COLUMN, LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DTNA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE BUSES WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 23, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DTNA AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2010-10-08 (October 8, 2010)

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2010 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2, CUSTOM CHASSIS MT45, S2 CHASSIS, AND STERING ACTERRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 5, 2006, THROUGH MAY 24, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH EPA 2007 MBE 900 DETROIT DIESEL ENGINES. ENGINE SOFTWARE MAY NOT REACT PROPERLY TO CERTAIN AFTERMARKET TREATMENT DEVICE FAULT CODES. THE SOFTWARE MAY UNNECESSARILY SHUTDOWN A VEHICLE OR MAY FAIL TO SHUTDOWN A VEHICLE WITH AN AFTERMARKET DEVICE OVER-TEMP FAULT.

Consequence: UNEXPECTED SHUTDOWN OF A VEHICLE MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. OVERHEATING OF THE AFTERTREATMENT DEVICE WITHOUT ENGINE SHUTDOWN MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY DETROIT DIESEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2011-01-07 (January 7, 2011)

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 25, 2009, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 3, 2009. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH OUT OF SPECIFICATION INBOARD SEAT BELT ANCHOR PLATES THAT ARE NOT AS ROBUST AS INTENDED.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF AN A CRASH, THE SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE MAY NOT CONTINUE TO HOLD IN PLACE THE SEAT BELT APPARATUS, INCREASING THE RISK OF THE BELT NOT RESTRAINING THE SEAT OCCUPANT AS INTENDED, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE EXISTING SEAT BELT ANCHOR AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 11, 2011. 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: 2012-08-16 (August 16, 2012)

Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Freightliner, Sterling, and Western Star vehicles manufactured from July 7, 2008, through December 15, 2011, and equipped with perpendicular air tank mounting brackets. The air tank mounting brackets may develop cracks which can lead to the air tank brackets separating from the frame rail. The air tanks may also separate from the vehicle.

Consequence: Air tanks that become separated from a moving vehicle may create a road debris hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air mounting brackets, free of charge. The recall began on December 24, 2012. Owners may contact Daimler Trucks North America toll free at 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2013-12-16 (December 16, 2013)

Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 model year Freightliner Business Class M2 and Freightliner Custom Chassis MT45 and MT55 chassis manufactured August 27, 2008, through December 10, 2013 and equipped with Eaton hybrid automated transmissions. The software controlling the affected transmissions may improperly raise the vehicle's engine speed during downshifts without the driver's input.

Consequence: The increase in engine speed may result in unintended acceleration, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: DTNA will notify owners and dealers will update the hybrid transmission software, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2014. Owners may contact DTNA at 1-503-745-6910. DTNA's recall number is FL-657.

Reported: 2016-04-12 (April 12, 2016)

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2010-2017 Freightliner M2 Business Class, 108SD, 114SD, and Columbia trucks manufactured from January 6, 2010, through February 29, 2016, equipped with certain Bendix rear disk brakes and spring suspensions. The rear disk brake caliper may have been installed incorrectly, thus allowing the caliper to contact the suspension.

Consequence: Caliper contact with the spring suspension may reduce the braking effectiveness, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will correct the orientation of the rear brake calipers, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 8, 2016. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's recall number for this campaign is FL-705.

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.