2005 Freightliner Business Class M2 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Dec 18, 2014 · 7 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Business Class M2 years
Not enough data 4th of 28 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Freightliner Business Class M2. That ranks 4th out of 28 Business Class M2 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is fuel system, diesel (2 complaints, 29%), typically at around 113,323 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash. There are 9 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.

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

Compare with another car

Most common 2005 Freightliner Business Class M2 problems

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

Fuel System, Diesel2 · ~113,323 mi
Electrical System1 · ~50,000 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling1 · ~20,000 mi
Parking Brake1 · ~48,500 mi
Service Brakes, Air1 · ~32,300 mi
Structure1 · ~48,500 mi
Suspension1
Visibility1 · ~50,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Fuel System, Diesel229%113,323——
Electrical System114%50,000——
Engine and Engine Cooling114%20,000——
Parking Brake114%48,500——
Service Brakes, Air114%32,300——
Structure114%48,500——
Suspension114%———
Visibility114%50,000——

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

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2009, with 3 complaints
2006: 1200612009: 3200932010: 1201012014: 220142

n = 7 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2005 Freightliner Business Class M2 recalls (9)

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

Fuel system, dieselSep 16, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V478000 · 73,500 vehicles

Problem: Daimler trucks is recalling certain model year 2004 through 2008 heavy trucks manufactured from july 11, 2003, through september 28, 2007, equipped with epa04 model mbe4000 engines built with plastic low pressure fuel lines and fuel filters mounted near the center of the engine on the left-hand side. The plastic low pressure fuel line between engine mounted fuel filter and engine block may develop a substantial diesel fuel leak.

Risk: This could create a road hazard increasing the risk of a crash. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

Fix: Daimler trucks will notify owners and the remedy will be performed by detroit diesel corporation authorized repair facilities. Vehicles will be inspected and the plastic low pressure fuel line will be replaced with a steel low pressure fuel line. This service will be performed free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on october 28, 2011. The safety recall began on february 21, 2012. Owners may contact daimler trucks at 1-800-547-0712.

Exterior lighting:brake lights:switchApr 30, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V178000 · 8,971 vehicles

Problem: Dtna is recalling certain model year 2005 through 2011 freightliner business class c2, fccc b2 chassis, s2 chassis, and mc chassis manufactured beginning january 19, 2005 through april 16, 2010. The stop lamps may be intermittent during light brake applications.

Risk: The stop lamps may not properly indicate that the service brakes are applied which may lead to a crash without warning.

Fix: Dtna will notify owners and repairs will be performed by dtna dealerships free of charge. The safety recall began on may 27, 2011. Owners may contact dtna at 1-800-547-0712.

Fuel system, other:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsDec 17, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V668000 · 24,650 vehicles

Problem: Daimler trucks north america (dtna) is recalling 24,650 school and non-school buses, motor home chassis, and trucks manufactured from march 9, 2004 through august 18, 2006, equipped with epa04 certified mbe900 engines, manufactured by detroit diesel between march 1, 2004, and july 31, 2006. The high pressure fuel lines and transfer tubes may fatigue and fracture.

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 vehicle crash.

Fix: Detroit diesel will notify owners and the vehicles will be repaired with more robust lines and vibration dampers free of charge. Repairs will be performed by authorized detroit diesel distributorships. The recall began on march 9, 2009. Owners may contact detroit diesel 1-313-592-3708 or dtna toll-free at 1-800-547-0712 for more information.

Power train:axle assemblyMar 25, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V137000 · 28,764 vehicles

Problem: Daimler trucks is recalling 28,764 my 2001 through 2008 fccc b2 and fs65 school bus chassis, fccc fb65 conventional buses, and sterling acterra, freightliner fln, and business class m2 heavy trucks, built from january 26, 2000, through march 24, 2008, manufactured with arvinmeritor or axle alliance company 6,000 through 8,000 pound front axles utilizing a four piece spindle-nut set. These axle assemblies may have been produced with a thin spindle nut which may lead to incorrect end play, cone spin, excessive heat, degradation of lubrication, wear of the spindle nut and bearing journal, oil contamination with metal shavings, and premature bearing failure.

Risk: Continued operation may lead to wheel separation and possibly a vehicle crash.

Fix: Daimler trucks will notify owners and will repair the vehicles free of charge. The recall began on january 8, 2009. Owners may contact daimler trucks at 1-800-547-0712.

Fuel system, dieselMar 11, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V113000 · 62,000 vehicles

Problem: Daimler trucks is recalling 62,000 my 2005-2007 freightliner business class, century class, columbia, coronado, fld, classic, sterling a-line, l-line, and western star 4900 trucks. A fractured fuel line could leak diesel fuel.

Risk: If a leak continues undetected under certain conditions, fuel may ignite at a hot engine surface and/or fuel may be spilled on the road surface.

Fix: High pressure fuel lines and transfer tubes will be inspected and replaced free of charged. The recall began on july 9, 2008. Owners may contact daimler trucks at 1-800-547-0712.

Service brakes, air:supply:check valveJul 16, 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V302000 · 75,000 vehicles

Problem: Certain freightliner school bus chassis, heavy trucks, and thomas built school buses manufactured between july 2002 and july 3, 2007, equipped with bendix sr-7 spring brake control valves. The parker scv brass 90 degree single check valves (scv) which attach to the supply port of a bendix sr-7 spring brake modulating valve can break apart. Pieces of the parker scv can become lodged inside the sr-7 spring brake modulating valve, potentially causing either leakage out of the sr-7 valve or preventing air from properly exhausting from the sr-7 valve. Also, due to a manufacturing defect in the internal rubber check valve inside the sr-7 spring brake modulating valves, the valves can become deformed and not seat properly.

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 rollaway or brake drag which could result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or death.

Fix: Freightliner will notify owners and repair the vehicles free of charge. The recall began on january 11, 2008 to freightliner, sterling, and freightliner custom chassis owners; to thomas built bus owners on february 1, 2008. Owners can contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.

SteeringNov 22, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V541000 · 198 vehicles

Problem: On certain trucks equipped with fontaine modification right hand steering control and equipped with sit down dual drive conversions, the pinch bolt that secures the lower steering shaft connection to the lh miter box may have been improperly torqued causing the bolts to fall out.

Risk: This may cause a loss of steering control and a crash could occur without prior warning.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the lower steering shaft pinch bolt at the connection and bolts on the steering cross shaft will be replaced. The recall began on february 17, 2006. Owners may contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.

Suspension:rear:axle:spindleOct 5, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V467000 · 1,100 vehicles

Problem: Certain 2005 thomas built fs-65 and c-2 school buses and 2005 freightliner argosy, columbia, century st, and m2 business class trucks manufactured between june 4 and july 8, 2005. The spindles in the rear axle housing were overheated during the heat treatment process. Incorrectly heat treated spindles could result in a fracture of the spindle.

Risk: Incorrectly heat treated spindles could fracture, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.

Fix: Freightliner will notify its customers and inspect for the heat treat date code on the end of the rear spindles and replace the axle housing if necessary. The recall is expected to begin on january 23, 2006. Owners may contact freightliner

Parking brakeOct 5, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V468000 · 3,850 vehicles

Problem: Certain 2004 and 2005 thomas built c2 school buses and freightliner business class m2 heavy trucks manufactured between june 2004 and march 2005. The anchor/pivot bolt supplied with the park brake is defective and could fatigue fracture prematurely, resulting in the park brake failing to apply.

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 malfunction when the park brake is set. This may cause the vehicle to roll away without warning, which could result in a crash.

Fix: Freightliner will notify its owners and inspect and replace defective anchor bolts free of charge. The recall began on march 7, 2006. Owners may contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.

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.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Stop Lamps Intermittent (PE10007) — opened Feb 3, 2010, closed May 23, 2010, led to recall 10V177000.
  • Front wheel separation (RQ07003) — opened Dec 5, 2007, closed Mar 26, 2008, led to recall 08V137000.

Recent owner reports

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

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 freightliner business class m2. The contact stated that the heat fan wiring harness overheated when the vehicle was in the on position. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vin was not available. The failure…

Engine and Engine Cooling · received Dec 18, 2014 · NHTSA complaint 10667090

I bought this truck in 2006 but every year i have to replace the heater blower motor and sooner if i run the heater or air conditioner on hi i have to replace every month or so.the ground wire gets hot and the motor goes bad.a recall needs to be done on this vehicle and a new model of heater blower…

Electrical System · received Jun 25, 2014 · NHTSA complaint 10605802

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 freightliner business class m2. While driving approximately 40 mph, the front driver side tire and wheel assembly detached from the vehicle and rolled across the road crashing into the side of a brick house causing moderate damage. There was no personal injury. A police…

Suspension · received Sep 9, 2010 · NHTSA complaint 10354753

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 freightliner business class m2. While driving approximately 50 mph, the contact felt the rear brakes dragging. There was no rear braking. The contact managed to stop the vehicle with the front brakes. He took the vehicle to the service dealer and they stated that the abs…

Service Brakes, Air · received Aug 13, 2009 · NHTSA complaint 10280335

High pressure fuel lines broke, causing a breakdown, tow and repair. Loss of fuel also. Lines were replaced at authorized dealer with what was available. This breakdown not including fuel loss resulted in a lost day and $700 costs. 3 months later, we received recall notice to replace the lines…

Fuel System, Diesel · received May 11, 2009 · NHTSA complaint 10268347

Other Freightliner Business Class M2 years

← 2004 Business Class M2 · 2006 Business Class M2 →

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Freightliner Business Class M2?

Owners most often report fuel system, diesel, electrical system, engine and engine cooling problems. The top one, fuel system, diesel, accounts for 2 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2005 Freightliner Business Class M2?

Yes, 9 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2005 Freightliner Business Class M2 a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Business Class M2 model years, the 2005 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.