VehicleVerdict

2016 Freightliner Business Class M2 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just one complaint on file for the 2016 Freightliner Business Class M2 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 16 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

1

NHTSA complaints

16

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2016 compare to other Business Class M2 years?

See all Business Class M2 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Freightliner Business Class M2 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes1100%

Does the 2016 Freightliner Business Class M2 have recalls?

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

24V924000EngineDecember 11, 2024 · 139 units

Defect

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Freightliner Business Class M2 emergency vehicles equipped with certain Cummins diesel engines. The engine protection and inducement software may cause the engine to shut down unexpectedly.

Consequence

An unexpected engine shutdown can delay emergency responders and increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Cummins will update the electronic control module software and install a corrected data plate, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2025. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is F1012.

21V067000TransmissionFebruary 11, 2021 · 15,835 units

Defect

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Freightliner Business Class M2 vehicles. The retaining clip that connects the transmission oil cooler line to the in-tank oil cooler may fail, possibly resulting in a transmission fluid leak.

Consequence

If a rapid loss of transmission fluid occurs while driving, it could result in a road hazard for other motorists, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the retaining clip with a collar and clamp connection, free of charge. The recall began on April 9, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-874.

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.

18V251000BrakesApril 19, 2018 · 40 units

Defect

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Freightliner Business Class M2 trucks built with air disk brakes and spring suspension. The rear disk brake calipers may have been mounted in an incorrect orientation allowing the caliper to contact the suspension, reducing brake effectiveness.

Consequence

Reduced braking effectiveness can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will correct the orientation the rear brake calipers, free of charge. The recall began on June 14, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-767.

17V402000BrakesJune 26, 2017 · 1,550 units

Defect

Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Freightliner M2 Business Class, 108SD, and 114SD vehicles. The affected vehicles might not have a required check valve installed in one of the ports of the spring brake modulation valve. Without the valve, the primary air system is not isolated from the secondary air system.

Consequence

A rapid loss of air pressure in the secondary system could cause a similar rapid loss of pressure in the primary system, which may lead to a sudden application of the parking brakes. This could increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles, installing a check valve, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 24, 2017. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-740.

17V043000Electrical SystemJanuary 19, 2017 · 769 units

Defect

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Freightliner Business Class M2, 108SD, and 114SD trucks. The affected trucks have been modified to be equipped with both left hand and right hand instrument clusters. Due to incompatibilities between the displays, the instrument clusters and/or turn signals may become unresponsive.

Consequence

Unresponsive instrument clusters and/or turn signals can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left instrument cluster with a cluster compatible with the right display, free of charge. The recall began on May 8, 2017. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL731.

16V666000Electrical SystemSeptember 14, 2016 · 3,329 units

Defect

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Freightliner Custom Chassis (FCCC) S2 chassis and Freightliner Business Class M2 trucks and non-school buses manufactured March 3, 2015, to September 8, 2016, equipped with ICU3s instrument clusters and hydraulic brakes. In the event of a brake malfunction, these clusters may illuminate the Brake System Malfunction telltale/indicator lamp with the word "PARK" instead of the word "BRAKE". As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Control and Displays," and number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems."

Consequence

If "PARK" illuminates instead of the word "BRAKE," the driver will be unaware of a braking issue or malfunction, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ICU3s instrument clusters with new clusters, free of charge. An interim notification letter was sent to owners on November 4, 2016. The remedy is now available. A second notice was mailed to owners on April 17, 2017. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-724.

16V658000BrakesSeptember 13, 2016 · 251 units

Defect

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Freightliner M2 Business Class and 114 SD trucks manufactured March 10, 2015, to July 11, 2016. The brake caliper mounting bolts on the affected vehicles may be incorrectly torqued, allowing the bolts to loosen and detach.

Consequence

If the brake caliper mounting bolts loosen or detach, braking ability may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake caliper mounting bolts for the proper torque and tighten them as necessary, free of charge. An interim notice was sent to owners on November 7, 2016. The final remedy is now available. A second notice was mailed to owners on January 26, 2017. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at -800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-722.

16V634000TransmissionAugust 31, 2016 · 156 units

Defect

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2014-2017 Freightliner M2 Business Class, 108 SD, 114 SD, Cascadia, Coronado, Western Star 4700, 4800, and 5700 XE trucks manufactured March 15, 2013, to July 29, 2016 and equipped with Conmet aluminum non-high capacity hubs. These vehicles specify a front axle weight limit that may be greater than that of the hub capacity. As a result, the hub may fail and the wheel may separate from the axle.

Consequence

If a wheel separates from the axle, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle hubs, free of charge. The recall began during November 2016. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-718.

16V207000Tires & WheelsApril 12, 2016 · 4 units

Defect

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2016 114SD and M2 Business Class trucks manufactured from June 10, 2015, through October 1, 2015. The affected vehicles have front axles that have a 20,000 pound capacity, however, the installed Bridgestone R249 front tires have a lower maximum load capacity.

Consequence

The operator may unintentionally overload the tires, possibly causing tire failure thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front tires with tires of a higher load capacity, free of charge. The recall began on June 7, 2016. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 800-547-0712. DTNA's recall number for this campaign is FL-706.

16V206000BrakesApril 12, 2016 · 702 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Caliper contact with the spring suspension may reduce the braking effectiveness, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will correct the orientation of the rear brake calipers, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 8, 2016. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's recall number for this campaign is FL-705.

15V859000TransmissionDecember 22, 2015 · 43 units

Defect

Daimler Trucks North America, Inc. (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Freightliner 108SD, 114SD, Business Class M2, and Western Star 4900 vehicles manufactured September 26, 2014, to November 6, 2015, and equipped with certain drive axles manufactured by Marmon-Herrington. The affected axles have hex nuts on the flange yoke that may not have been properly tightened.

Consequence

If the hex nuts are not tightened to specification, the driveshaft may disconnect from the drive axle, resulting in a loss of propulsion and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the hex nuts, tightening them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2016. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000, or Marmon-Herrington customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-699.

15V620000Electrical SystemOctober 2, 2015 · 273 units

Defect

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2016 Freightliner Cascadia, Business Class M2, 108SD, 114SD, and 122SD, Western Star 4700 and 4900, Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, and Freightliner MT55 vehicles manufactured August 7, 2015, to August 26, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with certain Cummins ISB6.7, ISL9, ISX12 or ISX15 engines whose engine control module (ECM) may short circuit and blow a fuse resulting in the engine stalling without warning.

Consequence

An engine that stalls without warning increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ECM free of charge. The recall began on October 22, 2015. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-690.

15V617000TransmissionOctober 1, 2015 · 14 units

Defect

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Freightliner Cascadia, Business Class M2, 108SD, 114SD, and Western Star 4700 trucks manufactured January 4, 2015, to April 24, 2015, and equipped with Eaton Fuller FR 10-speed manual transmissions. In the affected vehicles, when the transmission shift lever is moved from reverse to neutral, the reverse gear may stay engaged. When the transmission shift lever is moved from reverse to a forward gear position, the transmission may mechanically lock because both the reverse gear and forward gear are simultaneously engaged.

Consequence

Even though the transmission has been shifted out of reverse into neutral, the vehicle may unexpectedly move backwards, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the affected transmissions if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on November 24, 2015. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-693.

15V613000SteeringSeptember 30, 2015 · 10,843 units

Defect

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2016 Freightliner Cascadia, Business Class M2, 108SD, 114SD, 122SD, Coronado Glider, and Columbia Glider vehicles manufactured June 29, 2015, to September 7, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the steering arm bolts may not be properly tightened.

Consequence

If the steering arm bolts are not properly tightened, the steering arm may separate from the knuckle causing a loss of steering and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and Daimler Trucks North America or Detroit Diesel authorized service facilities will inspect the steering arm bolts, tightening them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on November 12, 2015. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-691.

15V586000BrakesSeptember 22, 2015 · 53 units

Defect

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Freightliner Business Class M2, 108SD, and 114SD trucks manufactured April 30, 2013, to September 14, 2015. Due to incorrect positioning, the rear disk brake calipers may contact the spring suspension reducing rear brake performance.

Consequence

A reduction in braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will correct the orientation of the rear brake calipers, free of charge. The recall began on November 13, 2015. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-688.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

ROLL PIN WHICH SECURES PARK BRAKE KNOB ROUTINELY WORKS IT WAY OUT OF THE KNOB AND PREVENTS (DEPENDING ON WHAT POSITION VALVE IS IN) EITHER APPLICATION OR RELEASE OF PARKING BRAKE. OCCURS WHEN VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND USING PARKING BRAKE.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 28, 2017

2016 Freightliner Business Class M2 — common questions

Is the 2016 Freightliner Business Class M2 reliable?

The record is thin — 1 NHTSA complaint — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 16 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2016 Freightliner Business Class M2 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 Freightliner Business Class M2. 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.