Model year

2021 Freightliner M2

Truck, diesel, 4x2, built in Mexico. Owner complaints on file from Apr 18, 2021 to Sep 12, 2026.

Recall campaigns covering this model year2118k vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints88.0 times the median 2021 truck
Severity index12.52021 trucks average 15.0
First 24 months1Complaints in its first two years
Complaints over time

Complaints about the 2021 Freightliner M2 peaked in 2025, with 3 filed

Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.

01232021202220232024202532026
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Components

38% of complaints about the 2021 Freightliner M2 name electrical system

Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.

Electrical system
3
Engine and cooling
2
Powertrain
2
Tires
1
Speed control
1
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls

2 recall campaigns cover the 2021 Freightliner M2

Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.

Recall campaigns for the 2021 Freightliner M2
CampaignFiledSubjectComponentVehiclesRemedy
23V-237Apr 4, 2023Windshield wiper linkages may break, causing the windshield wipers to failVisibility and wipers57,504Part replacement
23V-105Feb 20, 2023Drag link taper joint may not have been tightened sufficiently and could come loose, resulting in a complete separation of the drag link from the…Steering60,604Repair or modification
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints

What owners reported about the 2021 Freightliner M2

The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.

8 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.

  1. Filed Sep 12, 2026Failure Aug 23, 2026Santa Maria, CAElectrical system, Engine

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 11763795
  2. Filed Feb 19, 2026Failure Feb 19, 2026Alexandria, VATires

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 11719221
  3. Filed Jul 8, 2025Failure Mar 26, 202517,800 milesMadison, MSInstrument cluster/panel

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 11672079
  4. Filed Mar 25, 2025Failure Mar 25, 202315,000 milesGreenup, ILAccelerator pedal

    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 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.

    NHTSA complaint 11650436
  5. Filed Jan 7, 2025Failure Dec 19, 2024151,024 milesPalmdale, CAElectrical system, Engine

    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 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.

    NHTSA complaint 11634557
  6. Filed Feb 13, 2023Failure Feb 13, 2023rivera beach, FLPower train

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 11507018
  7. Filed Feb 9, 2023Failure Nov 18, 2022rivera beach, FLPower train

    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 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.

    NHTSA complaint 11506369
  8. Filed Apr 18, 2021Failure Apr 14, 20215,000 milesEugene, ORUnknown or otherCrash

    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 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.

    NHTSA complaint 11408637
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations

NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year

Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins

21 manufacturer communications cover this model year

Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.

  • SS1032974 Jul 11, 2017 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    SS 1032974 High Oil Pressure on 2017 DTNA Vehicles Instrument Cluster Display
  • SS1032728 Nov 28, 2017 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    SS 1032728 Bulkhead Module Fault Codes 524280 thru 524286 with FMI 7 Clarification
  • SS1032989 Feb 9, 2017 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Service Solution SS 1032989 – BHM Fault Code Changes
  • SS1032998 Feb 16, 2017 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Service Solution SS 1032998 M2 mirror wind noise
  • SS1033094 May 12, 2017 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Service Solution SS 1033094 KUS Float Tube Fuel Level Sensor Inform...
  • SS1033180 Jul 25, 2017 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Service Solution SS 1033180 BHM Fault Code SPN 524251 FMI 7 - Extr...
  • SS1033289 Dec 12, 2017 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Service Solution SS 1033289 BHM Fault Code SPN 524249 / FMI 7
  • FAB212 Feb 1, 2017 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Freightliner Action Bulletin FAB212 Aggressive Step Edge
  • FAB211 Feb 1, 2017 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Freightliner Action Bulletin FAB211 Mounting for Rear View Monitor
  • FAB162 Aug 1, 2014 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Freightliner Action Bulletin FAB162 Remote Stop Start
  • FAB160 Aug 1, 2014 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Freightliner Action Bulletin FAB160 Rock Guard
  • FAB156 Mar 1, 2014 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Freightliner Action Bulletin FAB156 M2 aux rear heat and AC
  • FAB155 Feb 1, 2014 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Freightliner Action Bulletin FAB155 Polished stainless steel steps
  • FAB152 Dec 1, 2013 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Freightliner Action Bulletin FAB152 Chassis Module Relocation
  • FAB150 Nov 1, 2013 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Freightliner Action Bulletin FAB150 Bumper guide lights
  • FAB149 Nov 1, 2013 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Freightliner Action Bulletin FAB149 heated seats
  • FAB148 Nov 1, 2013 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Freightliner Action Bulletin FAB148 Between rail fuel tank
  • FAB147 Nov 1, 2013 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Freightliner Action Bulletin FAB147 Vehicle Data Recorder and Seat Belt Display
  • SB4934 Feb 1, 2014 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    DEF Tank Coolant Valve O-Ring Kit
  • TechTalk566534K Apr 28, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Tech Talk discussion on Air line Coding and location in manual.
  • TechTalk566554K Apr 28, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Tech Talk discussion on New Beam clamp for harness routing 23-14234-002.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.