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2004 Freightliner Business Class M2Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 8 owner complaints about the 2004 Freightliner Business Class M2, most often about the suspension. It is covered by 9 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls9Free fix at dealersOwner complaints82 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage70kSuspension, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 1, 2016. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2004 Freightliner Business Class M2 has problems

8 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Suspension20
Fuel system, diesel10
Parking brake10
Engine10
Service brakes, air10
Wheels11
Service brakes11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

9 recalls

2004 Freightliner Business Class M2 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 08V-668 · Dec 17, 2008 · 24,650 vehicles

Risk. A FRACTURED FUEL LINE MAY LEAK DIESEL FUEL POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE OR FUEL MAY BE SPILLED ON THE ROAD CAUSING A SLIPPERY SURFACE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Supply: check valve

Recall 07V-302 · Jul 16, 2007 · 75,000 vehicles

Risk. THESE CONDITIONS COULD EITHER RESULT IN LEAKAGE AND CAUSE A DELAY IN THE APPLICATION OF THE SPRING BRAKE WITHOUT WARNING OR POSSIBLY LEAD TO UNINTENDED VEHICLE…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 5 more recalls
–no report yet

Parking brake

Recall 05V-468 · Oct 5, 2005 · 3,850 vehicles

Risk. IF THE PARK BRAKE ANCHOR BOLT FATIGUES AND ULTIMATELY FRACTURES, THE PARK BRAKE MAY NOT FUNCTION AND THERE MAY BE NO INDICATION TO THE DRIVER OF THE…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Supply: check valve

Recall 04V-220 · May 6, 2004 · 1,700 vehicles

Risk. DEPENDING ON THE FUNCTION AFFECTED, THIS COULD RESULT IN REAR SUSPENSION AIR PRESSURE LOSS, MALFUNCTION OF THE ENGINE BRAKE, PERMANENT ENGAGEMENT OF THE REAR…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Power train: manual transmission

Recall 04V-205 · May 4, 2004 · 14,000 vehicles

Risk. IF SHIFT LEVER DETACHMENT OCCURS, THA ABILITY RO ACCELERATE OT MAINTAIN SPEED WILL BE LOST, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Freightliner.

Best & worst years

2004 vs. every other Business Class M2 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Business Class M2 median. How we score

'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2004 Freightliner Business Class M2, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FRONT WHEEL SEPARATIONRQ07003 · closed Mar 26, 2008
    Led to recall 08V-137
In owners' words

What Business Class M2 owners report

Recent suspension complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

2004 FEIGHTLINER M2.ON TUESDAY NOV. 1ST 2005 WITH NO WARNING WHATSOEVER MY RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF WITH LUG NUTS AND BRAKE DRUM STILL ATTACHED NEARLY LOST TRUCK BUT KEPT IT STEADY UNTIL I COULD STOP IT.WHEEL BEARING AND SPINDLE FAILURE WAS SAID TO BE THE CAUSE. REPLACED WHOLE FRONT AXLE AND BOTH…
Complaint 10159251 · Jun 7, 2006 · 70,000 miles
(1) POOR ENGINEERING. (2) FRONT AXEL RATED CAPACITY IS INADEQUATE FOR VEHICLE (3) FREIGHTLINER SPECIALITY VEHICLES ADVISED OF SAFTEY ISSUE 06/04/04, & FREIGHTLINER ON 09/08/04. THEY HAVE TAKEN NO ACTION TO DATE. *AK
Complaint 10093525 · Oct 3, 2004

Own a 2004 Business Class M2?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.