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2012 Freightliner Business Class M2

4 owner complaints — #6 of 16 Business Class M2 model years. 12 recalls, 25 service bulletins.

4complaints · 0 crashes, 0 fires
12recalls
25manufacturer bulletins
4,399 mimedian mileage at failure

Problems owners report

Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2012 Freightliner Business Class M2, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.

  • Exterior lighting1
  • Unknown or other1
  • Steering1
  • Engine1

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

Compared with other years

’99’02’05’08’11’12’14’17’20’23’264’99’02’05’08’11’12’14’17’20’23’264

NHTSA ODI complaints by model year

Recalls in Canada

20 Transport Canada recalls for the 2012 Freightliner Business Class M2.

2021706
17 Nov 2021
Tires
Issue: Certain trucks were built with tires that are not approved for use with the truck's wheels. As a result, the tires may not perform properly, or a tire …
2020158
14 Apr 2020
Lights And Instruments
Issue: On certain trucks equipped with "Fleet Engineer" mud flaps, the bracket for the mud flaps may partially cover the rear reflective tape. Canadian regula…
2019336
4 Jul 2019
Lights And Instruments
Issue: On certain trucks equipped with electronic stability control (ESC), the brake lights may turn on when the automatic traction control (ATC) activates. C…
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…
2018395
30 Jul 2018
Suspension
On certain trucks, a combination of brake vibrations and corrosion could cause the tie-rod tube to fatigue and break. This may lead to a disconnect between the …
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…
2016176
22 Apr 2016
Brakes
On certain vehicles, the rear disk brake calipers may contact the spring suspension due to incorrect caliper orientation. This could reduce rear brake effective…
2015336
24 Jul 2015
Engine
On certain vehicles equipped with Cummins Westport ISL-G engines, excessive engine crankcase pressure could cause the vent tube assembly molded rubber adapter …
2014547
3 Dec 2014
Fuel System
On certain trucks fuelled by compressed natural gas, the exhaust tailpipe may terminate under the fuel tank cabinet. Over time, the continued heating of the fue…
2014050
21 Feb 2014
Engine
On certain vehicles equipped with Cummins ISL G or ISX12 G engines, incorrect engine ECU programming could cause the exhaust system temperature to become elevat…
2013448
18 Dec 2013
Powertrain
On certain trucks equipped with Eaton Hybrid transmissions, a software defect could result in unintended acceleration while downshifting. This could increase th…
2013088
20 Mar 2013
Electrical
On certain trucks, the customizable SmartPlex switch hub module may experience intermittent electrical shorts. As a range of equipment may have been connected …
2012281
15 Aug 2012
Brakes
On certain trucks, the air tank mounting brackets may crack, which could allow the tank to detach from the vehicle. An air tank separating from the vehicle cou…
2012139
23 Apr 2012
Brakes
On certain trucks, the quick release valve (QRV) cover may not have been welded correctly during manufacturing process and may become loose or separate from the…
2012119
30 Mar 2012
Steering
On certain vehicles, an incorrect steering wheel fastener may have been installed during vehicle assembly. The incorrect nut may not provide the clamp load req…
2012080
27 Feb 2012
Fuel System
On certain trucks equipped with a Detroit Diesel DD13, DD15 or DD16 engine, the support system for the high pressure fuel line (between the fuel pump and the fu…
2011439
22 Dec 2011
Engine
On certain emergency vehicles, the engine shutdown system (normally provided to protect the engine in case of malfunction) may not have been disabled during veh…
2011346
19 Sept 2011
Other
On certain vehicles, specific operating conditions (such as tight, successive, highly banked curves in opposite directions), could trigger unintended Electronic…
2011337
13 Sept 2011
Engine
On certain vehicles equipped with a Cummins engine, the V-band clamps used to connect the inlet and outlet cone sections to the Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) …
2011172
27 Apr 2011
Powertrain
On certain trucks, the driveshaft may not have been welded correctly during the manufacturing process. This could allow the driveshaft to fracture along the le…

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

Recalls

20V214000 · Exterior lighting14 Apr 2020 · 63,175 vehicles

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."

18V503000 · Steering31 Jul 2018 · 1,256 vehicles

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Freightliner Cascadia, Coronado, Business Class M2, 114SD, and Western Star 4900 trucks. In certain front axle, brake lining, and brake spider combinations, braking may cause high vibrations, resulting in early failure of the tie-rod tube.

16V206000 · Service brakes, air12 Apr 2016 · 702 vehicles

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.

15V616000 · Trailer hitches1 Oct 2015 · 5,801 vehicles

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Cascadia, Business Class M2, Coronado, and Columbia Glider vehicles manufactured April 5, 2010, to June 15, 2013. The affected trucks are equipped with Fontaine Ultra LT Fifth Wheel connectors, which, due to cumulative damage to the fifth wheel and its locking mechanism, have a locking mechanism that may fail to operate or to properly engage.

13V634000 · Power train16 Dec 2013 · 255 vehicles

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.

13V074000 · Equipment4 Mar 2013 · 161 vehicles

Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Business Class M2, 108SD, 114SD vehicle chassis, manufactured from December 3, 2011, through October 12, 2012 and equipped with a SmartPlex switch hub module. Residue left over in the manufacturing process of the switch hub module may lead to intermittent shorts and energizing of certain switch hub module outputs.

12V405000 · Equipment16 Aug 2012 · 1,663 vehicles

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.

12V178000 · Service brakes, air24 Apr 2012 · 3,116 vehicles

DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012-2013 FREIGHTLINER 108SD, BUSINESS CLASS M2, CASCADIA, CORONADO VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH A HALDEX QUICK RELEASE VALVE, AND MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 3, 2012, THROUGH MARCH 2, 2012. THE QUICK RELEASE VALVE COVER MAY NOT BE CORRECTLY MANUFACTURED, ALLOWING THE COVER TO BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE VALVE BODY. IF THE COVER SEPARATES FROM THE VALVE BODY, THE FRONT BRAKES MAY NOT FUNCTION.

12V137000 · Steering2 Apr 2012 · 1,046 vehicles

DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING ONE 2012 CASCADIA AND CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 AND 2013 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2 VEHICLES, AND MODEL YEAR 2013 108SD AND 114SD VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 20, 2012, THROUGH FEBRUARY 17, 2012. CERTAIN PROPERTY CLASS 04 (PC04) STEERING WHEEL NUTS WITH INCOMPLETELY FORMED THREADS WERE SUPPLIED TO DTNA IN LIEU OF THE SPECIFIED PROPERTY CLASS 05 NUTS. THE STEERING WHEEL NUTS SUPPLIED MAY NOT PROVIDE THE CLAMP LOAD REQUIRED TO FULLY SEAT THE STEERING WHEEL ON THE STEERING SHAFT WHEN TIGHTENED TO THE SPECIFIED TORQUE.

12V074000 · Engine and engine cooling28 Feb 2012 · 103,437 vehicles

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.

11V605000 · Engine and engine cooling27 Dec 2011 · 66 vehicles

DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2 AND WESTERN STAR 4900 EMERGENCY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 2, 2010, THROUGH DECEMBER 13, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH A DD13 EPA10 DETROIT DIESEL ENGINE. THE ENGINE SHUTDOWN SOFTWARE NORMALLY PROVIDED TO PROTECT THE ENGINE AND VEHICLE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN DISABLED ON ENGINES INTENDED FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLE APPLICATIONS.

11V474000 · Engine and engine cooling15 Sept 2011 · 6,225 vehicles

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011- 2012 BUSINESS CLASS M2 AND CORONADO TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2010, THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH A CUMMINS ISX OR ISL DIESEL ENGINE. THE V-BAND CLAMP ASSEMBLY, PART NUMBERS Q187684, Q187685, AND Q187686, USED TO CONNECT THE INLET AND OUTLET CONE SECTIONS TO THE DIESEL OXIDATION CATALYST (DOC)/DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) INCLUDE A T-BOLT WHICH CAN FRACTURE AND FAIL WHEN SUBJECTED TO STRESS OR LOAD. A FRACTURE OR FAILURE OF THE T-BOLT MAY CAUSE THE CLAMP TO LOOSEN AND THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS ATTACHED TO THE DOC/DPF HOUSING TO DISCONNECT.

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 2012 Freightliner Business Class M2: known faults, fixes and updates.

BulletinSummary
11007515CX Advocate for bulkhead module reprogramming (SS 3146-FTL)
11007495Service Solution for M2, 108SD, 114SD - Unable to Program Replacement Bulkhead Module - Certain Model Years
11000985Service Solution for M2, 108SD, 114SD - Unable to Program Replacement Bulkhead Module - Certain Model Years
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.
10190551Warranty Information letter announcing that DTNA is increasing the Standard Diagnostic Times (SDTs) shown. The updated after treatment system (ATS) diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) pump times will be applied to repair orders opened on or after April 12, 2021.
10190549Warranty Information Letter announcing DTNA is adjusting the Standard Repair Times (SRTs) shown. The updated times will be applied to repair orders opened on or after April 5, 2021.
10189340Updated Freightliner Service Bulletin for Espar Service Information. This bulletin replaces the version dated January 1, 2015. New Cascadia has been added to the model list.
10187532Freightliner Service Bulletin for Programming Chassis Electronic Control Units (ECUs) With DiagnosticLink.
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.
10184029Revised Warranty Policy Letter for Alliance/Mascot Aftermarket Warranty and Claim Filing. Revisions are in blue. With Mascot now in partnership with Detroit Reman and Alliance Parts, DTNA is pleased to announce that Mascot coverage has been added to OWL. Remanufactured Alliance/Mascot parts include transmission, differential, steering gear, and steering pump used in an on-highway vehicle applications. The Alliance/Mascot aftermarket warranty coverage period has not changed: depending on the part, coverage is for one (1) or two (2) years and current parts, labor, and reimbursement policies appl
10183988Warranty Policy Letter for Alliance/Mascot Aftermarket Warranty and Claim Filing. With Mascot now in partnership with Detroit Reman and Alliance Parts, DTNA is pleased to announce that Mascot coverage has been added to OWL. Remanufactured Alliance/Mascot parts include transmission, differential, steering gear, and steering pump used in an on-highway vehicle applications. The Alliance/Mascot aftermarket warranty coverage period has not changed: depending on the part, coverage is for one (1) or two (2) years and current parts, labor, and reimbursement policies apply.
10183615Tech Talk discussion on chassis module was replaced now unit has brake light on dash will not go in gear works fine with old module.
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.
10180423Tech Talk discussion on M-2 gauges inoperative at times.
10180382Tech Talk discussion on repair verification for codes like 'low air flow' when a trailer is not available.
10180350Tech Talk discussion about power steering fluid.
10179108Service Bulletin for Powertrain PDM and Main PDM Bracket Modication. This bulletin replaces the version dated 10/31/2019. The build date section has been added.

NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)

NHTSA investigations

PE12018 · Service brakes, air:supply:reservoir/tankopened 25 Jun 2012 · closed 20 Sept 2012

Air Brake Reservoir Bracket Fracture

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation