2021 Freightliner 122SD Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Nov 5, 2025 · 1 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other 122SD years
Not enough data 1st of 11 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2021 Freightliner 122SD. That is the most of any 122SD model year in the database (11 years). The most reported problem area is tires (1 complaints, 100%), typically at around 35,000 miles. There are 6 safety recalls covering this model year.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

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Most common 2021 Freightliner 122SD problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Tires1 · ~35,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Tires1100%35,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

2021 Freightliner 122SD recalls (6)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Suspension:critical fastenersNov 4, 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V760000 · 18,783 vehicles

Problem: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Western Star 49X, Freightliner Business Class M2, Freightliner 114SD, Freightliner 108SD, 2021-2026 Western Star 47X, 2021-2023 Freightliner 122SD, 2022 Western Star 48X, and 2023 Western Star 4700 vehicles. The axle clamp fasteners may be loose, which can result in a loss of vehicle control.

Risk: A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the fasteners, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 29, 2025. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is F1027.

Steering:linkages:drag:link:connectionFeb 20, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V105000 · 60,604 vehicles

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.

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

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.

Steering:linkages:tie rod assemblyMay 19, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V369000 · 8,482 vehicles

Problem: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Freightliner 114SD, 122SD, Business Class M2, Cascadia, 108SD, Western Star 4900, 4700, 5700, Custom Chass RV Chassis, Custom Chass S2 Chassis, Custom Chass XC Chassis, Custom Chass XB Chassis, and Custom Chass MT Chassis. The tie rod clamps may be loose, which could result in loose tie rod ends that could break or detach.

Risk: Detached or broken tie rod ends can result in steering loss, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the tie rod clamp bolts and nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-888.

Steering:linkages:tie rod assembly; steering:critical fastenersApr 12, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V256000 · 12,470 vehicles

Problem: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Freightliner Cascadia, Business Class M2, 114SD, 108SD, 122SD, Custom Chass S2 Chassis, Custom Chass XB Chassis, Custom Chass XC Chassis, and Custom Chass MT Chassis Western Star 4700, 4900, 5700 vehicles. The steering arm and tie rod bolts may have a defective seam that can fracture.

Risk: A fractured bolt may cause a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the tie rod arm and steering arm bolts, free of charge. The recall began on June 10, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-884.

Suspension:multiple axleSep 3, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V539000 · 103 vehicles

Problem: Daimler Truckers North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Freightliner 114SD, 122SD and Western Star 4700, and 4900 vehicles equipped with certain SL2065 steerable lift axles. The lower rear pivot cap screws may not be long enough to sufficiently engage the locking feature of the corresponding nuts.

Risk: If the screws are not long enough to engage the corresponding nuts, the hardware may separate from the suspension system, becoming a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash and/or injury.

Fix: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lower rear pivot cap screws for the proper length, correcting the hardware as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-862.

Exterior lightingApr 14, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V214000 · 63,175 vehicles

Problem: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2006-2020 Freightliner Columbia, 2006-2021 Freightliner Business Class M2, 2007-2020 Freightliner Coronado, 2014-2021 Freightliner 122 SD, 2007 Sterling A 9500, 2006 Freightliner Argosy, 2006-2007 Sterling AT9500, 2008-2021 Freightliner Cascadia, 2006-2008 Freightliner Classic, 2006-2011 Freightliner Century Class, 2006-2010 Freightliner FLD, and 2017 Western Star 5700 vehicles. The rear reflective tape may be partially covered by the mudflap hanger bracket, which may reduce the vehicle's visibility to other drivers on the road. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: The vehicle's rearward visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and reposition the reflective tape to ensure that it is completely visible, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 29, 2020. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL848.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

The contact owns a 2021 Freightliner XC-R. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the TPMS warning light illuminated. The vehicle drove normally; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified…

Tires · received Sep 11, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11613995

Other Freightliner 122SD years

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Freightliner 122SD?

Owners most often report tires problems. The top one, tires, accounts for 1 complaint.

Was there a recall on the 2021 Freightliner 122SD?

Yes, 6 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2021 Freightliner 122SD a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other 122SD model years, the 2021 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.