VehicleVerdict

2009 Freightliner Business Class M2 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 2 complaints on file for the 2009 Freightliner Business Class M2 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 8 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

2

NHTSA complaints

8

Recalls

2

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other Business Class M2 years?

See all Business Class M2 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Freightliner Business Class M2 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes150%
Fuel System150%

Does the 2009 Freightliner Business Class M2 have recalls?

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

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.

13V634000TransmissionDecember 16, 2013 · 255 units

Defect

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.

12V405000OtherAugust 16, 2012 · 1,663 units

Defect

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.

12V074000EngineFebruary 28, 2012 · 103,437 units

Defect

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.

11V173000EngineMarch 15, 2011 · 50 units

Defect

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 AND 2009 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2 AND STERLING ACTERRA EMERGENCY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 18, 2006, THROUGH JULY 7, 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 MARCH 25, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712. THIS SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN IS AN EXPANSION OF A PREVIOUS RECALL (PLEASE SEE 10V-472).

10V472000EngineOctober 8, 2010 · 58 units

Defect

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.

10V322000SteeringJuly 13, 2010 · 6,325 units

Defect

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.

10V178000LightingApril 30, 2010 · 8,971 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

WE HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE FUEL FILTER HOUSINGS STARTING TO SEEP FUEL THROUGH THE HOUSING ASSEMBLIES IN THE MBE ENGINES. WE HAVE HAD TWO OTHER UNITS WITH THE SAME ISSUE THAT WE HAD TO HAVE REPAIRED AND WE HAVE ONE OTHER VEHICLE IN THE SHOP CURRENTLY WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THESE UNITS WILL START TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 26, 2011

THE SUPPORT BRACKET FOR THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE, AIR CHAMBER AND CROSS SHAFT BROKE OFF THE REAR AXLE HOUSING WHICH CAUSED THE CROSS SHAFT AND CHAMBER BRACKET TO BREAK. THIS ALLOWED THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE CHAMBER TO ROTATE UPWARD WHICH CAUSED IT TO WEDGE UNDER THE FRAME RAIL. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 21, 2011

2009 Freightliner Business Class M2 — common questions

Is the 2009 Freightliner Business Class M2 reliable?

The record is thin — 2 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 8 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2009 Freightliner Business Class M2 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 Freightliner Business Class M2. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2009 Freightliner Business Class M2 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

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.