Freightliner Business Class M2 · model year

2006 Freightliner Business Class M2

11 NHTSA complaints, and 13 recall campaigns listed for this cohort. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

Complaints
11
Recalls
13

The verdict

The 2006 Freightliner Business Class M2 posts above-average complaint volume among its own model-year siblings.

6th pctile
complaint volume, own model years
13
recall campaigns

The 2006FreightlinerBusiness Class M2 carries 11 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 1 fire, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 2006 Business Class M2 is service brakes with 3 filings, followed by seats (1) and engine and engine cooling (1). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause. This cohort has 13 NHTSA recall campaigns listed below. Enter a VIN in NHTSA's official recall lookup to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2006 Business Class M2. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.

11
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
F
PlainCars Safety Score
0/100
2006 Freightliner Business Class M2

PlainCars' own composite of NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings and rollover-risk assessment, each dimension normalized against the federal scale or the full national model-year corpus. Not an official NHTSA figure, and not a substitute for a specific vehicle's VIN-level recall check.

NHTSA Overall Rating N/A
Not rated
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program overall crash-test rating.
Front Crash N/A
Not rated
Frontal barrier crash-test rating.
Side Crash N/A
Not rated
Side barrier and pole crash-test rating.
Rollover Resistance N/A
Not rated
Static stability factor + dynamic rollover test rating.
Rollover Risk N/A
Not reported
NHTSA single-vehicle rollover probability, dynamic test.

Total Complaints

11 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES3
SEATS1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
STEERING1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1
STRUCTURE1
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR1
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING1
POWER TRAIN1

Recalls (13)

10V17800030/04/2010

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

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.

12V07400028/02/2012

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2013 FREIGHTLINER, STERLING, AND WESTERN STAR VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH DETROIT DIESEL EPA07 AND EPA10, DD13 AND DD15/16 ENGINES, MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 20, 2006, THROUGH FEBRUARY 20, 2012. THE PUMP TO RAIL HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE SUPPORT

08V13700025/03/2008

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

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

05V54100022/11/2005

STEERING

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.

08V66800017/12/2008

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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 HIG

11V47800016/09/2011

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

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

07V30200016/07/2007

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:CHECK VALVE

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 SPRI

20V21400014/04/2020

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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 Ca

07V53000013/11/2007

TRAILER HITCHES:FIFTH WHEEL ASSEMBLY

ON CERTAIN TRUCK-TRACTORS EQUIPPED WITH HOLLAND SIMPLEX SE OR SE II FIFTH WHEELS, THE LATCH LEVER PIVOT BOLT ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN OVER-TIGHTENED WHICH COULD DISTORT THE PIVOT BOLT SPACER SLEEVE. CORROSION OR CONTAMINATES IN THE PIVOT MAY CAUSE IT TO BIND AND PREVENT THE FIFTH WHEEL JAW FROM LATCH

07V16900012/04/2007

SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS BUILT WITH FRONT AXLES ASSEMBLED BY ARVINMERITOR, THE FRONT SPINDLE NUT MAY BE OVER-TIGHTENED CAUSING PRELOAD ON THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WHICH COULD LEAD TO PREMATURE BEARING WEAR.

08V11300011/03/2008

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

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.

05V55100006/12/2005

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND MOTOR HOME CHASSIS, THE TOP FLANGE OF THE FRONT AXLE I-BEAM MAY FATIGUE AND FRACTURE.

08V15400003/04/2008

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 724 MY 2006-2007 BUSINESS CLASS M2 TRUCKS. THE OPTIONAL HIGH CURRENT TAIL LAMP POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (PDM) WAS INSTALLED IN A LOCATION HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER INTRUSION. THIS MAY LEAD TO A LOSS OF REAR LIGHTING.

Recent Complaints

20210914SERVICE BRAKES

Not sure if it is a malfunction or not. Can not verify. Seller mentioned: “Allison Automatic Transmission will not shift from Neutral to Drive or Reverse unless you hit the brake”. It does shift w/o braking. This seems like it would be a safety issue but Freightliner Techs can not verify. Vehicle is new to me and has not been inspected yet although I did consult Freigthliner tech via phone. No warning lights related. Operates fine otherwise.

20210914POWER TRAIN

Not sure if it is a malfunction or not. Can not verify. Seller mentioned: “Allison Automatic Transmission will not shift from Neutral to Drive or Reverse unless you hit the brake”. It does shift w/o braking. This seems like it would be a safety issue but Freightliner Techs can not verify. Vehicle is new to me and has not been inspected yet although I did consult Freigthliner tech via phone. No warning lights related. Operates fine otherwise.

20171023SERVICE BRAKES

I HAVE HAD 4 BRAKE FAILURES DUE TO STUCK CALIPERS AND SEVERE OVERHEATING AND LOSS OF BRAKES DUE TO BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. ALL 4 WHEELS HAVE BEEN AFFECTED AT DIFFERENT TIMES. TWO WERE WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND TWO WHILE DRIVING ON SECONDARY ROADS. TWO OF THE FAILURES REQUIRED TOWING TO THE REPAIR FACILITY. THE BRAKES ARE BOSCH DISC BRAKES WITH 66MM DUAL PISTONS, THE TIMELINE ON THE STUCK CALIPERS IS AS FOLLOWS; JUNE 20, 2012, 50,908 MILES, RIGHT REAR CALIPER STUCK AND LOST BRAKES, TOWED TO FREIGHTLINER SERVICE CENTER, MAY 20, 2016, 74,326 MILES, LEFT REAR CALIPER STUCK, LOST BRAKES, JULY 14, 2017, 80837 MILES LEFT FRONT CALIPER STUCK LOST BRAKES AND WAS TOWED, SEPT. 8, 2017, 84,000 MILES, RIGHT FRONT CALIPER STUCK AND GOT VERY HOT, I STOPPED AND LET THE BRAKE COOL AND MADE IT HOME AND THEN REPLACED CALIPER. THE BRAKES HAVE GOTTEN SO HOT THAT THE CALIPER, ROTOR AND PADS AND ABS SENSORS ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED EVERY TIME. AS FAR AS I AM AWARE, BOSCH HAS N

Mileage: 84,000

20120616SERVICE BRAKES

REAR BRAKES STARTED DRAGGING WHILE DRIVING ALONG. I STOPPED TO CHECK THEM AND THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE WAS VERY HOT AND SMELLING OF OVERHEATED BRAKES. I TURNED AROUND TO TRY AND MAKE IT HOME BUT THE NEXT TIME I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO GET STOPPED. I WAS TOWED TO A FREIGHTLINER SERVICE CENTER WHERE THEY TOLD ME I HAD A STUCK CALIPER. THIS VEHICLE IS A MOTORHOME CONVERSION BY DYNAMAX AND HAS HYDRAULIC, ABS BRAKES. *JB

Mileage: 50,607

20100818FireSUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER ON BOTH OCCASIONS WHERE THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND SPINDLES WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,446.

Mileage: 12,000

20071101VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW CONTINUES TO COME OFF TRACK WHEN DOOR IS SHUT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO FREIGHTLINER REPAIR FACILITY NUMEROUS TIMES AND THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES TO EXIST. FACTORY REPS STATE THAT THIS IS A DEFECT BUT IT IS NOT A RECALL. WHEN THE DOOR IS SHUT, THE METAL FLEXES AND CAUSES THE WINDOW TO FALL OFF ITS TRACK. *TR

Mileage: 5,896

20060817STEERING

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF TRUSSVILLE PURCHASED A NEW BUS FROM ILLINOIS BUS SALES (IBS), 1216 RAND ROAD, DES PLAINES, IL 60016, THE BUS HAS SEATING CAPACITY FOR 36 INDIVIDUALS. THE CHURCH PAID CASH FOR THE BUS. IT WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM IBS ON MAY 23, 2006. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER IS 1FVACWCS17XXXXXXX - 2006 FREIGHTLINER F160/M2 - AMERITRANS BODY - AT TIME OF PURCHASE IT HAD 197 MILES. ON THE FIRST OCCASION TO USE THE BUS WITH PASSENGERS, IT VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND WOULD NOT STAY ON THE ROAD. IT HAS A STEERING DEFECT AS WELL. IN ADDITION, IT HAD A FUEL LINE LEAK. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP AT FREIGHTLINER IN BIRMNGHAM, SINCE LATE JUNE 2006, WHERE IT REMAINS. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER (RAYMOND) AT FREIGHTLINER IN BIRMINGHAM, IT IS A DESIGN PROBLEM, AND THE BUS IS IRREPARABLE AND SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE ROAD. WE BELIEVE DOT SHOULD REVISIT ITS CERTIFICATION OF THIS PARTICULAR CONVERSION BUS, AS IT IS IRREPARABLE AND POSES A REAL AND PRESENT DANGER TO THE PUBLIC. P

Mileage: 550

20060817FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF TRUSSVILLE PURCHASED A NEW BUS FROM ILLINOIS BUS SALES (IBS), 1216 RAND ROAD, DES PLAINES, IL 60016, THE BUS HAS SEATING CAPACITY FOR 36 INDIVIDUALS. THE CHURCH PAID CASH FOR THE BUS. IT WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM IBS ON MAY 23, 2006. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER IS 1FVACWCS17XXXXXXX - 2006 FREIGHTLINER F160/M2 - AMERITRANS BODY - AT TIME OF PURCHASE IT HAD 197 MILES. ON THE FIRST OCCASION TO USE THE BUS WITH PASSENGERS, IT VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND WOULD NOT STAY ON THE ROAD. IT HAS A STEERING DEFECT AS WELL. IN ADDITION, IT HAD A FUEL LINE LEAK. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP AT FREIGHTLINER IN BIRMNGHAM, SINCE LATE JUNE 2006, WHERE IT REMAINS. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER (RAYMOND) AT FREIGHTLINER IN BIRMINGHAM, IT IS A DESIGN PROBLEM, AND THE BUS IS IRREPARABLE AND SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE ROAD. WE BELIEVE DOT SHOULD REVISIT ITS CERTIFICATION OF THIS PARTICULAR CONVERSION BUS, AS IT IS IRREPARABLE AND POSES A REAL AND PRESENT DANGER TO THE PUBLIC. P

Mileage: 550

20060817STRUCTURE

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF TRUSSVILLE PURCHASED A NEW BUS FROM ILLINOIS BUS SALES (IBS), 1216 RAND ROAD, DES PLAINES, IL 60016, THE BUS HAS SEATING CAPACITY FOR 36 INDIVIDUALS. THE CHURCH PAID CASH FOR THE BUS. IT WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM IBS ON MAY 23, 2006. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER IS 1FVACWCS17XXXXXXX - 2006 FREIGHTLINER F160/M2 - AMERITRANS BODY - AT TIME OF PURCHASE IT HAD 197 MILES. ON THE FIRST OCCASION TO USE THE BUS WITH PASSENGERS, IT VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND WOULD NOT STAY ON THE ROAD. IT HAS A STEERING DEFECT AS WELL. IN ADDITION, IT HAD A FUEL LINE LEAK. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP AT FREIGHTLINER IN BIRMNGHAM, SINCE LATE JUNE 2006, WHERE IT REMAINS. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER (RAYMOND) AT FREIGHTLINER IN BIRMINGHAM, IT IS A DESIGN PROBLEM, AND THE BUS IS IRREPARABLE AND SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE ROAD. WE BELIEVE DOT SHOULD REVISIT ITS CERTIFICATION OF THIS PARTICULAR CONVERSION BUS, AS IT IS IRREPARABLE AND POSES A REAL AND PRESENT DANGER TO THE PUBLIC. P

Mileage: 550

20060810ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO SUGGESTED THE FUEL FILTER BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE STARTED AND WAS DRIVEN TO A PARKING LOT WHERE THE FUEL FILTER WAS CHANGED. THREE DAYS LATER, VEHICLE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHO REPLACED AN INJECTOR. THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, AND THE OIL PUMP, INJECTORS, TURBO, AND RADIATOR FILTERS WERE REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE EMITTED BLACK SMOKE AND OPERATED NO FASTER THAN 35 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP AND THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DETERMINED BUT THE TURBO WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED.

Mileage: 42,198

20060307SEATS

ON 3-4-06 I WAS DRIVING AN M2 FREIGHTLINER OVER THE ROAD ON I-80 IN PA WHEN HIT A POT HOLE AND THE TRUCK LIFTED ME OUT OF THE SEAT . WHEN I CAME BACK DOWN ON THE SEAT I INJURED MY BACK . THE INJURY PUT ME IN THE HOSPITAL WITH A BACK STRAIN. *NM

Mileage: 2,800

Compare 2006FreightlinerBusiness Class M2 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Vehicle Safety Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2006 Freightliner Business Class M2 have?
The 2006 Freightliner Business Class M2 has 11 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2006 Freightliner Business Class M2?
Yes, the 2006 Freightliner Business Class M2 has 13 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Freightliner Business Class M2?
The most-complained component for the 2006 Freightliner Business Class M2 is SERVICE BRAKES with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SEATS and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Is the 2006 Freightliner Business Class M2 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Data vintage: August 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.

Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 2006 Freightliner Business Class M2; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.