Recall 12V207 covers 1,248 2013 Freightliner Business Class M2 vehicles with low beams turning off in high-beam mode. Free repair at franchised Freightliner dealers.
Freightliner issued recall 12V207 for 1,248 2013 Business Class M2 vehicles because the low-beam headlights turn off when high beams are selected. That leaves less foreground lighting for the driver and increases crash risk; the Freightliner dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The headlight system on the 2013 Freightliner Business Class M2 uses low beams and high beams for different lighting jobs. Low beams light the road close to the truck without sending glare into oncoming traffic. High beams project farther ahead when the road is dark and traffic conditions allow them.
On affected trucks, the low-beam headlights turn off when high-beam mode is selected. That leaves the driver without the expected close-in light while using the high beams. The defect is in how the lighting system operates, not in normal bulb wear or a burned-out lamp.
There is no warning sign before failure. You will notice the problem only when the high beams are selected and the low-beam pattern drops away.
Who's affected?
| 2013 Freightliner Business Class M2 | Headlights |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 1,248 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific truck.
What's the safety risk?
Reduced foreground lighting while driving makes the road ahead harder to see and increases the risk of a crash. Use extra caution at night or in low light, and arrange service soon 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 2013 Freightliner Business Class M2 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Freightliner service facility and ask whether the free headlight software update is open for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 12V207 when you call, and ask the service desk to check the low-beam headlight software issue.
- Bring the recall notice if Freightliner sent one, plus any service records related to the headlights.
- Drive with extra care before the repair. Use lower speeds at night and avoid unlit roads when safe routes are available.
What happens at the repair
At an authorized Freightliner service facility, a Freightliner technician checks whether the Business Class M2 needs the recall software update. If the update is needed, the facility installs it so the low beam headlights stay on when high beam mode is selected. The source remedy says this software update is free of charge. The recall repair was tied to owner notification that began on June 26, 2012, but the current remedy status is not listed in the provided campaign data.
Timeline
| May 10, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 26, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V207?
Recall 12V207 covers 1,248 2013 Freightliner Business Class M2 vehicles with low beam headlights that turn off when high beam mode is selected. That can reduce foreground lighting while driving and increase crash risk. Freightliner authorized service facilities will update the vehicle software for free where needed.
What should I do if my 2013 Freightliner Business Class M2 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 12V207. If it is, contact a Freightliner authorized service facility and ask for the headlight software update. Reference recall number 12V207 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 12V207, Freightliner authorized service facilities will update the vehicle software free of charge where the update is needed.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is reduced foreground lighting while driving with the high beams on. If the low beams turn off in high beam mode, the driver has less light near the vehicle, which increases crash risk. The free software update fixes the headlight behavior.
What if I bought this Freightliner Business Class M2 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recalls follow the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2013 Freightliner Business Class M2 is included, then contact a Freightliner authorized service facility with recall number 12V207.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V207000 |
|---|---|
| Freightliner customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V207 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V207000 |
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 →