2012 FREIGHTLINER M2 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
4
Owner Complaints
9
Recalls
2
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2012 FREIGHTLINER M2
The 2012 FREIGHTLINER M2 has received a total of 4 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 11 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:RESERVOIR/TANK, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. 2 technical service bulletins have been issued by Daimler Trucks North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electronic Stability Control Esc (1 complaint), Engine (1 complaint), and Suspension (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 2012 FREIGHTLINER M2
NHTSA has recorded 11 recalls for the 2012 FREIGHTLINER M2, potentially affecting up to 19,422 vehicles.
Recall 19V370000 — SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:RESERVOIR/TANK
| 741 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: An insufficient air reservoir volume may reduce brake effectiveness, increasing the risk of crash.
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.
View full details →Recall 15V343000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
| 3,200 vehicles affected
Defect: 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,...
Consequence: If engine oil comes into contact with a hot surface, there is an increased risk of a fire.
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...
View full details →Recall 15V220000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
| 3,571 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
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.
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.
View full details →Recall 15V220000 — SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
| 3,571 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
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.
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.
View full details →Recall 15V112000 — EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
| 117 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
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.
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...
View full details →Recall 14V680000 — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
| 65 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
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.
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.
View full details →Recall 14V680000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
| 65 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
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.
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.
View full details →Recall 14V080000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
| 3,258 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
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.
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...
View full details →Recall 11V465000 — ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
| 4,444 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
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.
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...
View full details →Recall 11V455000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
| 43 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A SHORT CIRCUITED GRID HEATER COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE AND INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
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...
View full details →Recall 11V257000 — POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
| 347 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
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.
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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2012 FREIGHTLINER M2
4 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2012 FREIGHTLINER M2. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electronic Stability Control Esc | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
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.
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.
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.
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 REPLACE THEM ONCE. EVERY OTHER SENECA OWNER BUILT ON THE FREIGHTLINER M2 CHASSIS EXPERIENCES THE SAME ISSUE. FREIGHTLINER RECOGNIZES THERE IS AN ISSUE THROUGH A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TSB-32-47, BUT HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ADDRESSING THIS SERIOUS ROLL AFFECTING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. CHECK THE RV FORUMS ANYONE WITH ONE OF THESE CHASSIS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME VEHICLE CONTROL OVER THE INADEQUACY OF THE CONNECTION POINTS OF THE SWAY BAR. I FIRST NOTICED THE BUSHING WERE GONE AFTER OUR FIRST TRIP IN THE MOTORHOME ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR AN OBVIOUSLY POORLY DESIGNED SUSPENSION COMPONENT.
Safety Rating for the 2012 FREIGHTLINER M2
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2012 FREIGHTLINER M2 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2012 FREIGHTLINER M2
Daimler Trucks North America, LLC has issued 2 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2012 FREIGHTLINER M2. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
SF564 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SF564 Newmar Motorhome Headlights
FSB_2012-102 — PARKING BRAKE
THE VALVE ADDED BY THIS BULLETIN WILL PROHIBIT THE PARKING BRAKE FROM BEING RELEASED WHEN THE WHEELCHAIR LIFT IS DEPLOYED, PROVIDING ADDITIONAL REDUNDANCY TO THE ADA LIFT INTERLOCK.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2012 FREIGHTLINER M2
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the FREIGHTLINER M2
- 2007 FREIGHTLINER M2 — 4 complaints
- 2008 FREIGHTLINER M2 — 1 complaint
- 2009 FREIGHTLINER M2 — 4 complaints
- 2010 FREIGHTLINER M2 — 2 complaints
- 2011 FREIGHTLINER M2 — 0 complaints
- 2012 FREIGHTLINER M2 (current)
- 2013 FREIGHTLINER M2 — 1 complaint
- 2014 FREIGHTLINER M2 — 1 complaint
- 2015 FREIGHTLINER M2 — 1 complaint
- 2016 FREIGHTLINER M2 — 3 complaints
- 2017 FREIGHTLINER M2 — 1 complaint
Other FREIGHTLINER Models
- FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA — 396 total complaints
- FREIGHTLINER FREIGHTLINER — 188 total complaints
- FREIGHTLINER CONVENTIONAL — 117 total complaints
- FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA — 110 total complaints
- FREIGHTLINER CENTURY — 76 total complaints
- FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER 2500 — 64 total complaints
- FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2 — 62 total complaints
- FREIGHTLINER FL-70 — 50 total complaints