VehicleVerdict

2021 Freightliner 122sd problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just one complaint on file for the 2021 Freightliner 122sd — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 6 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

1

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2021 compare to other 122sd years?

122sd NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted1 complaints2013: 1 complaints2014: 0 complaints2015: 0 complaints2016: 0 complaints2017: 0 complaints2018: 1 complaints2019: 0 complaints2020: 0 complaints2021: 1 complaints2022: 0 complaints2023: 0 complaints
122sd NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 122sd years to avoid →

What are the most common 2021 Freightliner 122sd problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels1100%

Does the 2021 Freightliner 122sd have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

25V760000SuspensionNovember 4, 2025 · 18,783 units

Defect

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Western Star 49X, Freightliner Business Class M2, Freightliner 114SD, Freightliner 108SD, 2021-2026 Western Star 47X, 2021-2023 Freightliner 122SD, 2022 Western Star 48X, and 2023 Western Star 4700 vehicles. The axle clamp fasteners may be loose, which can result in a loss of vehicle control.

Consequence

A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and tighten the fasteners, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 29, 2025. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is F1027.

23V105000SteeringFebruary 20, 2023 · 60,604 units

Defect

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Freightliner 108SD, 114SD, 122SD, Columbia, Coronado, Business Class M2, and 2020 Freightliner Cascadia vehicles. The drag link taper joint may not have been tightened sufficiently and could come loose, resulting in a complete separation of the drag link from the steering arm.

Consequence

Drag link separation can cause a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA will inspect the drag link taper joint and repair it, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 21, 2023. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL967. This recall expands recall number 21V-689.

21V369000SteeringMay 19, 2021 · 8,482 units

Defect

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Freightliner 114SD, 122SD, Business Class M2, Cascadia, 108SD, Western Star 4900, 4700, 5700, Custom Chass RV Chassis, Custom Chass S2 Chassis, Custom Chass XC Chassis, Custom Chass XB Chassis, and Custom Chass MT Chassis. The tie rod clamps may be loose, which could result in loose tie rod ends that could break or detach.

Consequence

Detached or broken tie rod ends can result in steering loss, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the tie rod clamp bolts and nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-888.

21V256000SteeringApril 12, 2021 · 12,470 units

Defect

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Freightliner Cascadia, Business Class M2, 114SD, 108SD, 122SD, Custom Chass S2 Chassis, Custom Chass XB Chassis, Custom Chass XC Chassis, and Custom Chass MT Chassis Western Star 4700, 4900, 5700 vehicles. The steering arm and tie rod bolts may have a defective seam that can fracture.

Consequence

A fractured bolt may cause a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the tie rod arm and steering arm bolts, free of charge. The recall began on June 10, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-884.

20V539000SuspensionSeptember 3, 2020 · 103 units

Defect

Daimler Truckers North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Freightliner 114SD, 122SD and Western Star 4700, and 4900 vehicles equipped with certain SL2065 steerable lift axles. The lower rear pivot cap screws may not be long enough to sufficiently engage the locking feature of the corresponding nuts.

Consequence

If the screws are not long enough to engage the corresponding nuts, the hardware may separate from the suspension system, becoming a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash and/or injury.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lower rear pivot cap screws for the proper length, correcting the hardware as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-862.

20V214000LightingApril 14, 2020 · 63,175 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

The contact owns a 2021 Freightliner XC-R. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the TPMS warning light illuminated. The vehicle drove normally; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · April 15, 2021

2021 Freightliner 122sd — common questions

Is the 2021 Freightliner 122sd reliable?

The record is thin — 1 NHTSA complaint — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 6 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2021 Freightliner 122sd have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2021 Freightliner 122sd. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.