2013 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 an Auto-park brake feature, the parking brake may apply unintentionally when the vehicle experiences a severe road vibration, such as travelling over a highway rumble strip at highways speeds. This severe vibration may cause air to pass through the solenoid valve, resulting in increased air pressure to the control port and potentially causing the dash-mounted park brake valve to pop out, causing an unintended park brake application without brake light illumination. This could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the auto-park solenoid valve and its mounting bracket.

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 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 seat belts may not comply with Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 209 - Seat Belt Assemblies. Due to a defect in manufacturing, the seat belt buckle may not release as required by the standard. This could hinder egress from the vehicle in an emergency, increasing the risk of injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace affected seatbelt buckles.

A failure of this component (seats and restraints) 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 vehicles, the wheel rims may have been manufactured incorrectly and could fail. A wheel separating from the vehicle could cause a loss of control and a crash. In addition, the errant wheel assembly could strike a vehicle, stationary object, or a bystander. These issues could result in property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the wheel rims. Note: Further evaluation revealed that no Canadian vehicles are involved.

A failure of this component (wheels) 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 front axle knuckles may have been manufactured incorrectly, which could lead to shorter than expected bearing and knuckle life. In some instances, this could result in separation of the wheel from the axle. A wheel separating from the vehicle could cause a loss of control and a crash. In addition, the errant wheel assembly could strike a vehicle, stationary object or a bystander. These issues could result in property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the front axle knuckles.

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, 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).