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Check a VIN

2004 Freightliner Business Class M2

8 owner complaints — the most of any Business Class M2 model years, 4.0× the typical year. 9 recalls, 25 service bulletins.

8complaints · 1 crashes, 1 fires
9recalls
25manufacturer bulletins
133,000 mimedian mileage at failure

Problems owners report

Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2004 Freightliner Business Class M2, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.

  • Suspension2
  • Fuel system, diesel1
  • Service brakes1
  • Service brakes, air1
  • Wheels1
  • Parking brake1
  • Engine1

NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported

Compared with other years

’99’02’04’05’08’11’14’17’20’23’268’99’02’04’05’08’11’14’17’20’23’268

NHTSA ODI complaints by model year

Recalls in Canada

13 Transport Canada recalls for the 2004 Freightliner Business Class M2.

2019237
17 May 2019
Brakes
Issue: Certain trucks were built with air reservoir tanks that are too small in relation to the size of the air brake chambers. Canadian regulations require e…
2017636
18 Dec 2017
Accessories
On certain vehicles equipped with Kidde fire extinguishers with black plastic handles and valves, the fire extinguishers may become clogged or require excessive…
2011345
19 Sept 2011
Fuel System
On certain trucks, the plastic low-pressure fuel line between the engine-mounted fuel filter and the engine block may develop a diesel fuel leak. The location …
2008436
15 Dec 2008
Fuel System
On certain vehicles, high pressure fuel lines and transfer tubes may fatigue and fracture, causing a diesel fuel leak. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an igni…
2008097
25 Mar 2008
Steering
On certain vehicles, incorrect spindle nuts may have been installed during vehicle assembly. This could cause incorrect end play, cone spin, excessive heat, de…
2007231
11 Jul 2007
Brakes
On certain vehicles, the internal rubber check valve inside the Bendix SR-7 spring brake modulating valve can become deformed over time. The effect of this def…
2006084
19 Apr 2006
Suspension
On certain vehicles, the rear suspension transverse beam castings were not made to specifications. If a casting were to break when the vehicle is in motion, pa…
2005319
18 Oct 2005
Brakes
On certain vehicles, the park brake anchor/pivot bolt may fatigue fracture. As a result, the parking brakes may not apply and the vehicle could roll away witho…
2005266
14 Sept 2005
Steering
On certain vehicles, the front hubs may fracture and allow the wheel assembly to separate from the vehicle. This could cause a crash without prior warning. Co…
2005076
29 Mar 2005
Other
On certain vehicles, the engine cooling fan may fracture and pieces may separate from the fan blade which could result in vehicle damage and possible personal i…
2005077
29 Mar 2005
Tires
Certain vehicles are equipped with Michelin XDE 10R22.5 LRG and LRF tires that do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 109. A localized variance in the ga…
2004166
19 May 2004
Other
Certain vehicles equipped with an Air Management Unit (AMU) in the control systems for the suspension dump valves, drive axle differential lock, fifth wheel sli…
2004058
13 Feb 2004
Powertrain
On certain vehicles, the tapered joint that attaches the shifter to the transmission may separate making it difficult to put the transmission into gear. The dr…

Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada

Recalls

11V478000 · Fuel system, diesel16 Sept 2011 · 73,500 vehicles

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2008 HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 11, 2003, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 28, 2007, EQUIPPED WITH EPA04 MODEL MBE4000 ENGINES BUILT WITH PLASTIC LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINES AND FUEL FILTERS MOUNTED NEAR THE CENTER OF THE ENGINE ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE. THE PLASTIC LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINE BETWEEN ENGINE MOUNTED FUEL FILTER AND ENGINE BLOCK MAY DEVELOP A SUBSTANTIAL DIESEL FUEL LEAK.

08V668000 · Fuel system, other17 Dec 2008 · 24,650 vehicles

DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA (DTNA) IS RECALLING 24,650 SCHOOL AND NON-SCHOOL BUSES, MOTOR HOME CHASSIS, AND TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 9, 2004 THROUGH AUGUST 18, 2006, EQUIPPED WITH EPA04 CERTIFIED MBE900 ENGINES, MANUFACTURED BY DETROIT DIESEL BETWEEN MARCH 1, 2004, AND JULY 31, 2006. THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINES AND TRANSFER TUBES MAY FATIGUE AND FRACTURE.

08V137000 · Power train25 Mar 2008 · 28,764 vehicles

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.

07V302000 · Service brakes, air16 Jul 2007 · 75,000 vehicles

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.

05V468000 · Parking brake5 Oct 2005 · 3,850 vehicles

CERTAIN 2004 AND 2005 THOMAS BUILT C2 SCHOOL BUSES AND FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2 HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 2004 AND MARCH 2005. THE ANCHOR/PIVOT BOLT SUPPLIED WITH THE PARK BRAKE IS DEFECTIVE AND COULD FATIGUE FRACTURE PREMATURELY, RESULTING IN THE PARK BRAKE FAILING TO APPLY.

05V393000 · Engine and engine cooling6 Sept 2005 · 1,395 vehicles

CERTAIN MY 2004 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2 AND THOMAS BUILT SAF-T-LINER C2 SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JULY 26 AND OCTOBER 29, 2004, EQUIPPED WITH A CATERPILLAR C-7 ENGINE AND BORG-WARNER KYS 4735 35480 55 ENGINE FAN. THE FAN SHROUD MAY BE DRAWN BACK INTO THE FAN AT HIGH ENGINE SPEEDS WHEN THE FAN CLUTCH ENGAGES. DUE TO REDUCED CLEARANCE, HEAVY CONTACT BETWEEN THE FAN AND THE SHROUD MAY CAUSE THE FAN BLADE TO FRACTURE.

05V126000 · Engine and engine cooling30 Mar 2005 · 3,568 vehicles

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.

04V220000 · Service brakes, air6 May 2004 · 1,700 vehicles

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, INCORRECT SPRINGS WERE INSTALLED IN THE EXHAUST PORT OF CERTAIN AIR MANAGEMENT UNIT (AMU) SOLENOID VALVES AND THEY MAY NOT TURN OFF AFTER ACTUATION.

04V205000 · Power train4 May 2004 · 14,000 vehicles

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.

Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words

Service bulletins

What Freightliner told its dealers about the 2004 Freightliner Business Class M2: known faults, fixes and updates.

BulletinSummary
10195659SS 1032974 High Oil Pressure on 2017 DTNA Vehicles Instrument Cluster Display
10195640SS 1032728 Bulkhead Module Fault Codes 524280 thru 524286 with FMI 7 Clarification
10195624Service Solution SS 1032989 BHM Fault Code Changes
10195601Service Solution SS 1032998 M2 mirror wind noise
10195575Service Solution SS 1033094 KUS Float Tube Fuel Level Sensor Inform...
10195561Service Solution SS 1033180 BHM Fault Code SPN 524251 FMI 7 - Extr...
10195484Service Solution SS 1033289 BHM Fault Code SPN 524249 / FMI 7
10192956Rear Brake Calipers and Anchor Plates.
10187830Revised Technical Service Letter for Series 60 and Series 50 Camshaft Timing Specifications. Camshaft timing, valve lash, injector height, and Jake Brake lash are all very important specifications that must be followed closely in order to optimize the performance and service life of any Detroit Diesel engine.
10184914Tech Talk discussion on MBE 900 Metal In Main Filter Housing.
10184785Revised Freightliner Service Bulletin for Axle Flange Gasket Replaced with O-Ring. Revision removed steps instructing removal and installation of wheels. Daimler Trucks North America has released a new axle shaft to hub rubber O-ring (part number 11-30728-000) as a replacement for the paper gasket (part number 11-14418-000). The new O-ring will provide better sealing and is reusable. It is quicker and easier to use compared to the paper gasket, because using a paper gasket requires cleaning the hub when the axle shaft is removed.
10181983Tech Talk discussion on 1939 voltages.
10181759Updated Freightliner Service Bulletin for Powernet Troubleshooting Guide - Batteries, Path, Alternator, and Starter. This bulletin replaces the version dated 5/31/2017. Information is added about the BCT-460DTNA PowerNet Assessment Tool. When troubleshooting Powernet issues, use the BCT-460DTNA PowerNet Assessment Tool. As of May 29, 2018, the AutoMeter is the only Daimler-approved tool for troubleshooting vehicle Powernet issues.
10181049Freightliner Service Bulletin for Axle Flange Gasket Replaced with O-Ring. Daimler Trucks North America has released a new axle shaft to hub rubber O-ring (part number 11-30728-000) as a replacement for the paper gasket (part number 11-14418-000). The new O-ring will provide better sealing and is reusable. It is quicker and easier to use compared to the paper gasket, because using a paper gasket requires cleaning the hub when the axle shaft is removed.
10168048Service Bulletin for severe duty main PDM installation for vehicles operating in severe moisture and/or corrosive environments.
10154847Service Bulletin- sb0006 Freightliner Courtesy Engineering Policy
10151600Service information Bulletin
10141701sb2062 Removing the Shipping Plate from the Fan Hub on ISB Engines
10141699sb2059 Replacing Push-to-Connect Air Line Fittings with Brass Compression Fittings
10141698sb2058 Early EPA07 QLD Radiator Replacement
10141675sb2032 Gates PowerGrip Hose Clamps, Replacement
10141672sb2028 Engine Coolant Changes
10041425FREIGHTLINER: TANK SEAMS ARE SPLIT/CRACKED WHICH CAUSES FUEL TO LEAK. THE VALVE MIGHT BE PLUGGED WITH CONTAMINATE. *PE
10037075DAIMLER TRUCKS: THE 294 BOLT IS DEEMED SERVICEABLE AND THERE IS A PROCEDURE FOR REPLACING IT. *RM
10032688FREIGHTLINER: ABS FAULT CODES DUE TO CONNECTOR WATER INTRUSION. ON SOME TRUCKS, THE ABS MODULE WAS MOVED INTO THE CAB. THIS REQUIRED A CONNECTOR TO BE PLACED UNDER THE CAB, BEHIND THE FRONT STEERING AXLE, ON THE FRAME RAIL. IF THIS CONNECTOR IS LOOSE, OR IMPROPERLY INSTALLED, MOISTURE CAN ENTER THE CONNECTOR AND CAUSE CORROSION ON THE TERMINALS, WHICH WILL LEAD TO CONNECTIVITY ISSUES, CAUSING VARIOUS ABS FAULT CODES, AND THE ABS DASH LIGHT TO COME ON. *PE

NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)

NHTSA investigations

RQ07003 · Suspension:front:hubopened 5 Dec 2007 · closed 26 Mar 2008

FRONT WHEEL SEPARATION

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation