2021 FREIGHTLINER M2

Recalls, Specs & Safety Report

2RecallsNHTSA Verified6ComplaintsNHTSA Data0InvestigationsNHTSA Data
Expert Verdict
βœ“Good Reliability

This 2021 model shows good reliability, primarily driven by a below-average recall rate for the FREIGHTLINER brand.

Key Factor:below-average recall rate

πŸ“‹Why This Matters

Brake and steering systems are the foundation of vehicle control. Issues in these areas directly influence insurance risk assessments.

Insurance companies review vehicle reliability data when setting premiums. Models with elevated recall rates often see adjusted pricing.

Focus Area:critical safety systems
πŸ“Š

Expert Analysis

  • πŸ“ˆ
    Recall Trend:No Change in recalls
  • ⚠️
    Primary Risk Area:Warning
  • βš–οΈ
    Vs Brand: Worse than avg (0.5)
    πŸ“
    Summary:
Critical Component: Warning

Safety & Reliability Score

84/100
Very Good

Score Breakdown

Recall Impact-16
Complaint Impact-0.3
Investigation Impact-0

Technical Specifications

Key specifications for the 2021 FREIGHTLINER M2

Model Year2021
MakeFREIGHTLINER
ModelM2
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle

Safety History Timeline

Jan21
NEWProduction
Jan21
RECALLRecall Issued
Apr21
ISSUEFirst Report
Apr23
RECALLRecall Issued

Consumer Complaint Analysis

⚠️

Most Reported Issue

3 complaints (50% of total)
➑️

Complaint Trend

Stable
No trend data
βœ…

Safety Incidents

No critical incidents

Complaint Severity Distribution

Breakdown of 6 consumer complaints by severity level.

🟑Medium
4(67%)
🟒Low
2(33%)
βœ…Good News: No critical or high-severity complaints reported for this vehicle.

Mileage Failure Analysis

βš™οΈEngineering Insight

Based on consumer reports, issues for this vehicle tend to peak around the 0-20k mileage range. The average reported failure mileage is 61,275 miles.

πŸ“Š Mileage data extracted from 3 of 6 complaints (50% coverage)
0-20k
2 reports (67%)
20k-40k
0 reports (0%)
40k-60k
0 reports (0%)
60k-80k
0 reports (0%)
80k-100k
0 reports (0%)
100k+
1 reports (33%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.

πŸ› οΈ DIY Diagnosis Center

Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).

Primary Risk Areas

STEERINGVISIBILITY

Official Safety Recalls (2)

Campaign: 23V105000

STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTION

Summary

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.

Consequence

Drag link separation can cause a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC

Campaign: 23V237000

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES

Summary

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.

Consequence

Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC

NHTSA Investigations

0 investigations
βœ“

No active investigations for this vehicle.

Consumer Complaints

6 total complaints

Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2021 M2.

Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis

Warning50%
Stall33%
Crash/Accident33%
Shake33%
Stuck17%
Acceleration Issues17%
Accident17%
Injury17%
ElectricalπŸ”΅ Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Jul 8, 2025Under Review
OtherπŸ”΅ Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

Mar 25, 2025Under Review
Engine/PowertrainπŸ”Ά Medium
ELECTRICAL 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.

Jan 7, 2025Resolved
Engine/PowertrainπŸ”Ά Medium
POWER 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.

Feb 13, 2023Resolved
Engine/PowertrainπŸ”Ά Medium
POWER 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.

Feb 9, 2023Resolved
OtherπŸ”Ά Medium
UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

Apr 18, 2021Resolved

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any recalls for the 2021 FREIGHTLINER M2?

Yes, the 2021 FREIGHTLINER M2 has 2 recorded recalls from NHTSA. These recalls cover various components including STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTION, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES.

Is the 2021 FREIGHTLINER M2 safe to drive?

The 2021 FREIGHTLINER M2 has 2 recalls. If you own this vehicle, check with your dealer to ensure all recall repairs have been completed. Most recalls have free remedies available.

Where can I check if my 2021 FREIGHTLINER M2 has open recalls?

You can check for open recalls by visiting NHTSA.gov and entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), or by contacting your local FREIGHTLINER dealer.

πŸ“ŠYear-over-Year Context

➑️Stable Pattern

Compared to earlier years, the 2021 model shows stable reliability patterns. No meaningful structural change detected in recall frequency between adjacent model years.

🎯Risk Areas & Recommended Actions

Based on recall data, these components require verification:

1

Steering

Issue: increases crash or loss-of-control risk

βœ…

If you already own this vehicle: Contact your dealer immediately to confirm steering recall is complete. Recall repairs are always free.

πŸ”

If you are evaluating a used example: Request VIN and verify all steering recalls are completed before purchase.

Campaign:23V105000
2

Visibility

Issue: increases crash or loss-of-control risk

βœ…

If you already own this vehicle: Contact your dealer immediately to confirm visibility recall is complete. Recall repairs are always free.

πŸ”

If you are evaluating a used example: Request VIN and verify all visibility recalls are completed before purchase.

Campaign:23V237000
πŸ’‘Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your FREIGHTLINER dealer to verify recall completion status.

🧭What This Means for You

Both current owners and prospective buyers benefit from reviewing this safety analysis before making decisions.

If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.

πŸ”‘

If You Own This Vehicle

  • Verify all 2 recalls have been completed using your VIN at NHTSA.gov or through your FREIGHTLINER dealer.
  • If any recalls are open, schedule service immediatelyβ€”recall repairs are always free.
  • Consider setting up VIN-specific alerts to receive notification of future recalls.
πŸ›’

If You're Buying Used

  • Request the VIN before purchase and verify recall status at NHTSA.gov.
  • This model year shows favorable reliability metrics compared to alternatives.
βš–οΈ

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Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Last updated: January 10, 2026.