- The problem
- Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Freightliner Business-Class M2, FCCC Business-Class M2, FCCC S2G (FCCC Business-Class M2), FCCC S2RV, FCCC SC2 (FCCC Shuttle Chassis), 2021-2022 Freightliner 108SD, and Freightliner 114SD vehicles. The windshield wiper linkages may break, causing the windshield wipers to fail.
- The risk
- Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the windshield wiper arm and linkage parts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2023. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL969.
Vehicle safety record
2021 Freightliner M2 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 8 complaints about the 2021 Freightliner M2 with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (3) and the engine & cooling (2). Those complaints describe 1 crash. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in April 2023 for the linkages. For comparison, the 2020 has 0 and the 2022 has 3.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical M2 year, for its age
#185 most complained-about 2021 vehicle
- Complaints
- 8
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2021 Freightliner M2 problems
Share of all 8 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2021 Freightliner M2 recalls 2
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Drag link separation can cause a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
What owners say
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8 complaints about the 2021 Freightliner M2
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
While driving on the Interstate check-engine light came on, engine governed to very slow speeds and ultimately became undrivable. This has happened twice. In May and August of 2026. According to Velocity Truck Centers in North Las Vegas, NV Engine harness contacted and chafed around air compressor. Vehicle is at Velocity Truck Centers in North Las Vegas, NV. This is the same failure as described in DTNA's recall FL-858.
The contact owns a 2021 Freightliner XC-M. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 21V00H000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING) and 21V921000 (TIRES). The contact had not experienced a failure. The contact reached out to the manufacturer with questions about the recalls. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V00H000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING). However, the manufacturer informed the contact that the repair for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V921000 (TIRES) would not be completed because the recall had expired.
The contact owns a 2021 Freightliner XC Line Motorhome. The contact stated that the ICU on the coach had delaminated over time and made it difficult to read. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the ICU panel was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 17,800.
The contact owns a 2021 Freightliner M2. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and slightly depressing the accelerator pedal, the pedal travelled down to the floorboard and was stuck, causing the vehicle to accelerate unintendedly. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact shifted to neutral(N), pulled over to the side of the road, and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated as needed temporarily. The...
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contact stated that the failure had caused him to pull over to the side of the road several times in one drive. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring intermittently. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the failure recurred, and the vehicle accelerated unintendedly to 70 MPH. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer several times. The dealer test-drove the vehicle and informed the contact that the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Freightliner M2. The contact stated that while a driver was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started decelerating unintendedly and then stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The driver was able to coast to the side of the roadway. The driver was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated that there was an excessive amount of oil in the engine. The dealer determined that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer...
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linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V466000 (Electrical System, Engine); but the VIN was not included in the recall, and the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 151,024.
Meritor Transfer case has failed due to the internal coating coming off and clogging the oil pump pick up tube screen which starves the oil pump and eventually leads to bearing failure. This is a safety concern because the T-Case is the central connecting point for the drive line. When the bearings fail or seize the torque from the input shaft can cause the connecting components (u-joints, drive shafts) to shake violently and potentially fail, leaving debris in the roadway for other motorists to deal with and also having the potential to damage the trucks brake air system. This could result in an unexpected loss of control by the operator and result in a vehicle crash.
We have had close to 30 failures of the Meritor Transfer Case in both International and Freightliner chassis. This case specifically and of which I will add photos, is a 2021 Freightliner. The internal coating is flaking off and clogging the oil pump pick up screen which in turn starves the pump and eventually leads to bearing failure. This is a safety concern because the T-Case is the central connecting point for the drive line. When bearings fail or seize the torque from the input shaft can cause the connecting...
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components (u-joints, Drive Shafts) to shake violently and potentially fail, leaving debris in the roadway for other motorists to deal with and also having the potential to damage the trucks brake air system. This could result in an unexpected loss of control by the operator and could result in a crash.
This vehicle is outfitted with a bridgeport automated arm garbage truck body. An accident recently occurred on 14 april 2021 because of no warning sensor on the forks with grab the garbage/recycle cart to warn the driver that the forks are not completely retracted and safely stow for transport. A warning sensor is on the fork boom to warn the driver that the boom is not fully retracted however this does not let the driver know that the forks are still a potential hazard. I realize that it is the driver's...
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responsibility to know all the elements of his truck, however driver's do make mistakes and if the company sees a potential issues with safety by installing a warning alarm on the boom, simply moving it to behind the forks would eliminate any possibly damage/injury to vehicles or bicyclist and pedestrians.
Freightliner M2: every year compared
All M2 years2021 Freightliner M2 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Freightliner M2 | 8 | 2 | C | |
| 2021 Freightliner Cascadia | 16 | 21 | D | Compare |
| 2021 Freightliner Business Class M2 | 2 | 14 | D | Compare |
| 2021 Freightliner 122SD | 1 | 6 | D | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2021 Freightliner M2
Does the 2021 Freightliner M2 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2021 Freightliner M2: linkages (April 2023); connection (February 2023). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Freightliner M2?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (3), engine & cooling (2), transmission & drivetrain (2).
How many complaints has the 2021 Freightliner M2 had?
8 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on April 18, 2021 and the latest on September 12, 2026. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2021 Freightliner M2 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 40 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Freightliner M2 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Freightliner M2 years have the most complaints?
2021 (8), 2009 (3), 2022 (3). See every Freightliner M2 year compared.
What should I do if my 2021 Freightliner M2 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data