2012 Freightliner Business Class M2 Recall

Certain trucks were built with tires that are not approved for use with the truck's wheels. As a result, the tires may not perform properly, or a tire could fail.

A tire failure could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash.

Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) will notify owners by mail. The corrective actions for this recall are under development. You will be instructed to bring your truck to a DTNA authorized service facility when a repair is available.

On certain trucks equipped with "Fleet Engineer" mud flaps, the bracket for the mud flaps may partially cover the rear reflective tape. Canadian regulations require that reflective tape must be visible on the rear of the truck.

Reflective tape that is covered may make the truck less visible to others and could create an increased risk of a crash.

Daimler Trucks of North America (DTNA) will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your truck to an authorized DTNA Service Facility to inspect the reflective tape. It will be moved as necessary to meet the regulations.

On certain trucks equipped with electronic stability control (ESC), the brake lights may turn on when the automatic traction control (ATC) activates. Canadian regulations do not allow brake lights to turn on when the automatic traction control activates.

Brake lights that turn on when a vehicle is not slowing could confuse other drivers.

The company will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their truck to a Daimler Trucks North America authorized service facility. The truck will either be reprogrammed or retrofitted so the brake lights do not turn on when the automatic traction control (ATC) activates.

Certain trucks were built with air reservoir tanks that are too small in relation to the size of the air brake chambers. Canadian regulations require enough air reservoir capacity to ensure the brakes work even with heavy use or when there is a partial loss of the air system.

Reduced braking could cause extended stopping distances and increase the risk of a crash.

The company will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their truck to a Daimler Trucks North America authorized service facility to modify the truck to ensure it meets Canadian regulations.

On certain trucks, a combination of brake vibrations and corrosion could cause the tie-rod tube to fatigue and break. This may lead to a disconnect between the front wheels and reduce the ability to steer the vehicle, which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Daimler Trucks of North America Service Facilities will replace brake linings, brake spiders and tie rods as necessary.

A failure of this component (suspension) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles equipped with Kidde fire extinguishers with black plastic handles and valves, the fire extinguishers may become clogged or require excessive force to activate. Also, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury, and fail to discharge. In case of fire, failure of the extinguisher to function could result in injury and/or property damage. Correction: Owners will be provided with instructions on how to inspect the fire extinguisher to see if it is recalled. Replacement fire extinguishers will be supplied by Kidde directly. Note: For more information about recalled fire extinguishers, please visit www.kidde.com.

A failure of this component (accessories) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles, the rear disk brake calipers may contact the spring suspension due to incorrect caliper orientation. This could reduce rear brake effectiveness which would result in increased stopping distances, increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will correct the orientation of the rear calipers.

A failure of this component (brakes) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles equipped with Cummins Westport ISL-G engines, excessive engine crankcase pressure could cause the vent tube assembly molded rubber adapter to detach from the breather. This could allow engine oil to come in contact with hot surfaces, increasing the risk of fire resulting in injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will install clamps at both ends of the adapter of the breather tube assembly and reprogram the Electronic Control Module (ECM) to improve diagnostic capabilities.

A failure of this component (engine) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain trucks fuelled by compressed natural gas, the exhaust tailpipe may terminate under the fuel tank cabinet. Over time, the continued heating of the fuel tank by exhaust gases could increase the risk of a fire, causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will install an exhaust pipe extension to relocate the tailpipe.

A failure of this component (fuel system) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles equipped with Cummins ISL G or ISX12 G engines, incorrect engine ECU programming could cause the exhaust system temperature to become elevated during cold weather operation. This could also cause flames to be emitted from the exhaust. As a result, nearby combustible material could be ignited, increasing the risk of a fire, injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Authorized Cummins service facilities will update software programming.

A failure of this component (engine) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain trucks equipped with Eaton Hybrid transmissions, a software defect could result in unintended acceleration while downshifting. This could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will update transmission control software.

A failure of this component (powertrain) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain trucks, the customizable SmartPlex switch hub module may experience intermittent electrical shorts. As a range of equipment may have been connected to the switch hub module by final stage vehicle manufacturers; depending on vehicle configuration and intended use, these electrical shorts could have varied consequences. These may include the erratic operation of emergency, warning and/or work lights, the unexpected activation of a remote engine starter or the intermittent and/or uncontrolled operation of other body equipment. These or other malfunctions may result in an increased risk to road users, operators or bystanders. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the switch hub module.

A failure of this component (electrical) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain trucks, the air tank mounting brackets may crack, which could allow the tank to detach from the vehicle. An air tank separating from the vehicle could strike another vehicle, a stationary object, or a bystander. As well, loss of an air tank would cause a loss of service brakes, which could increase stopping distances, possibly causing a crash. These issues could result in property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the air tank mounting brackets.

A failure of this component (brakes) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain trucks, the quick release valve (QRV) cover may not have been welded correctly during manufacturing process and may become loose or separate from the valve body. If this occurs, air pressure may not be supplied to the front brakes during brake application. The rear brakes will continue to function. Reduction in braking efficiency could increase stopping distances, possibly resulting in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Daimler authorized repair facilities will inspect and if necessary replace the quick release valve.

A failure of this component (brakes) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles, an incorrect steering wheel fastener may have been installed during vehicle assembly. The incorrect nut may not provide the clamp load required to fully seat the steering wheel onto the steering shaft. This could allow the steering wheel to wobble, which could hamper vehicle operation. If the problem is ignored, the nut could loosen completely, which could allow the steering wheel to detach from the steering shaft. These issues could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the steering wheel nut.

A failure of this component (steering) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain trucks equipped with a Detroit Diesel DD13, DD15 or DD16 engine, the support system for the high pressure fuel line (between the fuel pump and the fuel delivery rail) may be damaged during a service repair procedure. Incorrect torque applied to the dampener "P" clip fasteners may damage the fasteners, which could allow the clips to loosen. This could result in a cracked fuel line and a diesel fuel leak. Diesel fuel leakage may ignite on a hot engine surface and cause a fire. As well, diesel fuel spilt on the roadway could endanger other road users by making the roadway unexpectedly slippery. These issues could result in property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the high pressure fuel line and install a more robust fuel line support system.

A failure of this component (fuel system) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain emergency vehicles, the engine shutdown system (normally provided to protect the engine in case of malfunction) may not have been disabled during vehicle assembly. Unexpected emergency vehicle engine shutdown, under certain conditions, could hamper rescue operations and place the public at risk. Correction: Authorized service facilities will disable the engine shutdown system.

A failure of this component (engine) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles, specific operating conditions (such as tight, successive, highly banked curves in opposite directions), could trigger unintended Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system intervention. As a result, the ESC may unnecessarily apply one of the front brakes in order to correct the perceived oversteer condition. This may cause the vehicle to deviate from the intended path, thereby increasing the risk of a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the ESC module.

A failure of this component (other) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles equipped with a Cummins engine, the V-band clamps used to connect the inlet and outlet cone sections to the Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) / Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) include a T-bolt which can fracture and fail when subjected to stress or load. A fracture or failure of the T-bolt may cause the clamp to loosen and the inlet or outlet sections attached to the DOC/DPF housing to disconnect. Should this occur, hot exhaust gases can vent prior to exiting the tailpipe, creating a risk of combustion or damage to adjacent materials, which could result in a vehicle fire. If both clamps fail, the DOC/DPF housing could detach completely, separate from the vehicle, and strike another vehicle, stationary object, or bystander. These issues could result in property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Cummins will install updated V-band clamps.

A failure of this component (engine) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain trucks, the driveshaft may not have been welded correctly during the manufacturing process. This could allow the driveshaft to fracture along the length of the tube seam weld when torque is applied. The fractured tube can twist or sever, which could result in additional damage to the driveline, the vehicle to which it is attached, and any additional nearby components. Should the brake air lines become damaged, it could allow spring brake application, causing immediate brake lock-up. If this occurs while the vehicle is in motion, it could result in a crash. Also, failure of the driveshaft would result in lost vehicle propulsion which, in conjunction with traffic and road conditions, and the driver's reactions, could increase the risk of a crash. Either condition could result in property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the driveshaft assembly.

A failure of this component (powertrain) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).