Recall 11V289 covers 2,342 2011-2012 Freightliner Business Class M2 106V, Coronado, and Cascadia trucks for fifth-wheel lock coupling. Repair is free.
Freightliner is recalling 2,342 2011-2012 Business Class M2 106V, Coronado, and Cascadia trucks equipped with Fontaine Ultra LT fifth wheels because the fifth wheel lock can appear coupled after a tug test when it is not. If the tractor is not fully connected to the trailer, the trailer can disengage in use and increase crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The fifth wheel on 2011-2012 Freightliner Business Class M2 106V, Coronado, and Cascadia trucks is the heavy coupling plate behind the cab. It locks around the trailer king pin, the steel pin under the trailer nose, so the tractor and trailer stay connected while the combination is moving.
On trucks equipped with Fontaine Ultra LT fifth wheels, the lock can appear to close during coupling before it has fully captured the king pin. A tug test alone can make the connection seem secure, even when the lock is only partly closed. The required visual inspection is what confirms the jaws are locked around the king pin.
There is no warning sign before failure. If the lock is not fully closed, the driver can believe the trailer is coupled when it is not secured to the fifth wheel.
Who's affected?
Covers the Business Class M2 106V, Coronado, and Cascadia across the 2011-2012 model years, all tied to the fifth wheel assembly.
| 2011 Freightliner Business Class M2 106V | Fifth wheel assembly |
|---|---|
| 2011 Freightliner Coronado | Fifth wheel assembly |
| 2012 Freightliner Cascadia | Fifth wheel assembly |
| 2011 Freightliner Cascadia | Fifth wheel assembly |
| Units affected | 2,342 |
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?
An incomplete tractor-to-trailer connection can let the trailer disengage while in use, increasing crash risk. Before using the truck, confirm the tractor and trailer are fully coupled and schedule the retrofit if your VIN is included. Repair will be free at any franchised Freightliner dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2012 Freightliner Business Class M2 106V, Coronado, or Cascadia is included in this recall.
- Contact Freightliner or Fontaine with recall number 11V289 to confirm whether the free fifth-wheel retrofit has been completed on your truck.
- Ask about the free Fontaine Ultra LT fifth-wheel retrofit that helps prevent an incomplete lock from being mistaken for a secure king-pin connection.
- Bring the February 2011 owner notice if you have it. If not, give the service desk recall number 11V289.
- Avoid towing until you have confirmed the retrofit status, and complete the required visual inspection before coupling any trailer.
What happens at the repair
For affected Freightliner trucks, the campaign remedy is a retrofit of the Fontaine Ultra LT fifth wheel. A Freightliner technician checks the fifth wheel coupling hardware and performs the retrofit needed so the lock can close correctly around the trailer king pin. The available filing says Fontaine notified owners in February 2011 and was retrofitting affected vehicles at no charge. Parts and labor are covered by the recall once the repair is open for the truck. Ask the Freightliner service desk to confirm the recall status for your VIN before bringing in the vehicle.
Timeline
| February 1, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
|---|---|
| May 18, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V289?
Recall 11V289 covers 2,342 2011-2012 Freightliner Business Class M2 106V, Coronado, and Cascadia vehicles equipped with Fontaine Ultra LT fifth wheels. The fifth wheel lock can appear coupled after a tug test even when the required visual inspection shows it is not fully locked.
What should I do if my 2011-2012 Freightliner Business Class M2 106V, Coronado, or Cascadia is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 11V289. If it is, contact Fontaine at 1-800-874-9780 or a Freightliner service desk and reference recall 11V289. The affected fifth wheel needs the free retrofit handled by Fontaine.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall remedy to be performed at no cost, and the filing for recall 11V289 says Fontaine is retrofitting affected vehicles free of charge. Ask the service desk to confirm the Fontaine Ultra LT fifth wheel retrofit before scheduling work.
What is the safety risk?
The risk in recall 11V289 is trailer separation. If the tractor is not fully connected to the trailer king pin, the trailer can disengage while in use, increasing crash risk. Do the required visual inspection during coupling and get the free retrofit completed.
What if I bought this Freightliner used?
The free recall remedy still follows the vehicle. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Freightliner is included in recall 11V289, especially if you never received the February 2011 owner notice. Then call Fontaine or a Freightliner service desk with the recall number.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V289000 |
|---|---|
| Freightliner customer service | 1-800-874-9780 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V289 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V289000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (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 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →