Recall 11V605 affects 66 2011-2012 Freightliner Business Class M2 and 4900 emergency vehicles for engine shutdown software. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
Freightliner is recalling 66 2011-2012 Business Class M2 and 4900 emergency vehicles because engine-protection shutdown software was left active on engines built for emergency service. If the operator ignores multiple warnings, the engine can shut down during rescue work, and the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The DD13 EPA10 Detroit Diesel engine in affected 2011-2012 Freightliner Business Class M2 and 4900 emergency vehicles uses shutdown software to protect the engine and vehicle. That software watches engine conditions and shuts the engine down when it detects a condition that threatens damage. In an emergency vehicle, that protection is supposed to be disabled so the vehicle keeps operating during a response.
On affected vehicles, the engine shutdown software was left active on engines intended for emergency use. If the engine reaches a shutdown condition, the software can reduce or stop engine operation instead of allowing the driver to continue. The defect is in the software setup, not in a broken engine part described in the filing.
There is no warning sign before failure. A driver gets the problem only when the shutdown logic activates and the engine stops operating as expected.
Who's affected?
Covers the Business Class M2 and 4900 truck lines across the 2011 and 2012 model years, all tied to the same diesel-engine component.
| 2012 Freightliner Business Class M2 | Diesel |
|---|---|
| 2011 Western Star 4900 | Diesel |
| 2011 Freightliner Business Class M2 | Diesel |
| 2012 Western Star 4900 | Diesel |
| Units affected | 66 |
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?
If the operator ignores repeated intervention warnings, the engine can shut down unexpectedly. Under certain emergency conditions, that shutdown hampers rescue operations and places the public at risk. Treat repeated warnings as a stop and service issue, not a nuisance alarm. 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 or 4900 emergency vehicle is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Freightliner dealer and ask about the free software change that disables engine shutdown on emergency vehicles.
- Reference recall number 11V605 when you call, and have the owner notice ready if Freightliner mailed one.
- Tell the dealer the vehicle has a DD13 EPA10 Detroit Diesel engine used in emergency service.
- Follow all engine warning messages until the software repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
The known dealer remedy is to disable the engine shutdown software on the affected emergency vehicle application. A Freightliner technician updates the vehicle so the engine protection shutdown function does not stop the engine during emergency use. The remedy on file says the safety recall began on March 13, 2012, and the work is free of charge under the recall. Parts and labor are covered when the repair is performed through the dealer recall process.
Timeline
| December 27, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 13, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V605?
Recall 11V605 covers 66 2011-2012 Freightliner Business Class M2 and 4900 emergency vehicles with DD13 EPA10 Detroit Diesel engines. The engine shutdown software was left active for emergency-vehicle applications, so Freightliner dealers disable that software for free.
What should I do if my 2011-2012 Freightliner Business Class M2 or 4900 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific emergency vehicle is included in recall 11V605. If it is, contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the engine shutdown software disablement. Reference recall number 11V605 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to perform safety recall repairs at no cost, and Freightliner dealers disable the engine shutdown software free of charge. DTNA listed 1-800-547-0712 for owner questions about this recall.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is unexpected engine shutdown after the operator receives and ignores multiple warnings calling for intervention. In an emergency vehicle, that shutdown can hamper rescue operations and place the public at risk.
What warning signs should operators watch for?
Operators should watch for repeated engine warnings that call for intervention. The recall describes multiple warnings before shutdown. If those warnings appear, follow fleet procedures and arrange dealer service for the recall repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V605000 |
|---|---|
| Freightliner customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V605 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V605000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - 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 →