Recall 10V444 affects 308 2009-2010 Freightliner M2 trucks for misrouted air-brake hoses. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
Freightliner recall 10V444 covers 308 2009-2010 M2 vehicles with dual steering components because right-side air brake hoses were routed too close to the turbo outlet. Heat can blister and melt the lines, create air leaks, and lead to brake lockup that increases crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The 2009-2010 Freightliner M2 trucks in this recall use air brake hoses to carry compressed air through the brake system. Those hoses help control brake application on the right hand side of the truck. In normal use, the hoses need clear routing so air pressure reaches the brake components as designed.
The problem is the routing of those air hoses. On affected M2 trucks, the hoses that control the right hand brakes were routed incorrectly during modification. Incorrect routing can interfere with the way air pressure moves through that side of the brake system, so the brake controls do not work as intended.
There is no warning sign before failure. The filing does not list a specific sound, dash light, or pedal feel for an owner to watch for before the hose routing problem shows up.
Who's affected?
Both model years point to the same brake system component.
| 2009 Freightliner M2 | brake system |
|---|---|
| 2010 Freightliner M2 | brake system |
| Units affected | 308 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
Air hoses routed close to the turbo outlet can blister, melt, and leak. Those air leaks can lead to brake lockup, increasing the risk of a crash. If you notice brake behavior that feels wrong, slow down carefully and contact a franchised Freightliner dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Freightliner dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009-2010 Freightliner M2 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Freightliner dealer and ask whether the free repair is open for your VIN.
- Schedule the air-brake hose replacement and thermal-wrap installation that protects the hoses routed near the turbo outlet.
- Bring the recall notice if Fontaine mailed one. If not, reference recall number 10V444 when you call.
- Avoid operating the truck if the air brakes leak or lock up; arrange service before driving again.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Freightliner technician installs new air brake hoses and adds heat protective thermal wrap, correcting the hose routing problem that affects braking on the right side of the truck. The source remedy states that the safety recall began on October 1, 2010, and the repair is free of charge. Ask the service desk to confirm that the hose routing, replacement hoses, and thermal wrap are all handled under recall 10V444 before the truck leaves the shop.
Timeline
| September 23, 2010 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 5, 2010 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 10V444?
Recall 10V444 covers 308 2009-2010 Freightliner M2 trucks with air-brake hoses routed too close to the turbo outlet. Heat can blister and melt the hoses, causing air leaks and brake lockup. Dealers will install new hoses and heat-protective thermal wrap for free.
What should I do if my 2009-2010 Freightliner M2 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 10V444. If it is, contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the air-brake hose replacement and thermal-wrap installation. Reference recall number 10V444 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 10V444, dealers install new air-brake hoses and heat-protective thermal wrap free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is brake lockup. The recalled air-brake hoses sit very close to the turbo outlet, where heat can blister or melt the lines and create air leaks. That brake failure path increases crash risk.
What if I bought my Freightliner M2 used?
The free repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Freightliner M2 is included, then call a franchised Freightliner dealer with recall number 10V444.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/10V444000 |
|---|---|
| Freightliner customer service | 704-409-1613 |
| NHTSA recall # | 10V444 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 10V444000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 3, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →