VehicleVerdict

2016 Freightliner M2 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 3 complaints on file for the 2016 Freightliner M2 — 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.

3

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2016 compare to other M2 years?

See all M2 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Freightliner M2 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Other3100%

Does the 2016 Freightliner M2 have recalls?

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

19V370000BrakesMay 14, 2019 · 741 units

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 Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems."

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.

19V353000LightingMay 9, 2019 · 2 units

Defect

Stainless & Repair, Inc. (Stainless & Repair) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Freightliner M2-112 and 1994-1995 Ford L9000 vehicles equipped with Whelen brake lights. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed.

Consequence

If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Stainless & Repair will notify owners, and Whelen dealers will replace the brake lights, free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2019. Owners may contact Whelen customer service at 1-860-718-2331 or Stainless & Repair at 1-715-591-4933.

18V094000OtherFebruary 5, 2018 · 66 units

Defect

Ferrara Fire Apparatus, Inc. (Ferrara) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Inferno and International 4400, 2013-2016 Igniter, 2014-2017 Cinder and Freightliner M2 106, 2013-2014 Ember and 2013-2017 Kenworth T370 fire-fighting vehicles, equipped with Hale pressure relief valves in the water pumps used for fire fighting. Rings securing the valves may corrode over time after exposure to water, causing the ring to fail and the pressure relief valve to open, reducing the water pressure available for fire fighting.

Consequence

A reduction in water pressure may hinder fire fighting efforts, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Ferrara will notify owners, and Ferrara certified dealers or technicians will replace the relief valve retaining ring with one that is stainless steel, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ferrara customer service at 1-800-443-9006.

17V739000OtherNovember 20, 2017 · 298 units

Defect

E-One Incorporated (E-One) is recalling certain 2013-2017 E-One Cyclone II, Quest, Typhoon, 2016 Freightliner M2 112, 2013-2015 International 7400, 2014-2017 International 4400, Freightliner M2 106, 2016-2017 Kenworth T370, and 2015 Kenworth T800 vehicles equipped with Hale pressure relief valves in the water pumps used for fire fighting. Rings securing the valves may corrode over time after exposure to water, causing the ring to fail and the pressure relief valve to open, reducing the water pressure available for fire fighting.

Consequence

A reduction in water pressure may hinder fire fighting efforts, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

E-One will notify owners, and a certified dealer or technician will install a stainless steel retaining ring, free of charge. The recall began on January 11, 2018. Owners may contact E-One customer service at 1-352-861-3612.

15V679000SteeringOctober 20, 2015 · 358 units

Defect

Fontaine Modification is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Freightliner M2 vehicles converted to be equipped with dual steering wheels by Fontaine Modification between March 13, 2014 and September 1, 2015. In the affected vehicles, a locating pin in the dual steering linkage may break or fall out resulting in the momentary loss of steering or steering lock up.

Consequence

A momentary loss of steering or steering lock up increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Fontaine Modification will notify owners and supply a steering linkage locating key remedy kit for Freightliner dealers or authorized service facilities (including the customer's own maintenance shop) to install free of charge. The recall began on December 18, 2015. Owners may contact Fontaine Modification customer service at 1-800-366-8246.

15V343000EngineJune 3, 2015 · 3,200 units

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, possibly allowing engine oil to come into contact with hot surfaces.

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 limit crankcase pressures. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on June 12, 2015. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000 or Cummins customer service at 1-800-343-7357. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-681.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

DYNAMAX DX3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE POWER GEAR SLIDEOUT. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SLIDE CAME OUT WHILE DRIVING. TWO REPAIR ATTEMPTS WERE MADE BUT, THE SLIDE CONTINUED TO COME OUT. *JS

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · January 9, 2019

2016 Freightliner M2 — common questions

Is the 2016 Freightliner M2 reliable?

The record is thin — 3 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 6 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2016 Freightliner M2 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 Freightliner 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.