Recall 13V496 affects 20 2014 Freightliner Business Class M2 emergency vehicles for engine-shutdown software. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
Freightliner is recalling 20 2014 Business Class M2 emergency vehicles because engine-shutdown software was left active on vehicles built for emergency use. During rescue work, an automatic engine shutdown can hamper operations and increase injury risk; the Freightliner dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The engine protection software on a 2014 Freightliner Business Class M2 watches for vehicle problems and can shut the engine down to protect the powertrain. On emergency vehicles, that shutdown logic is supposed to be disabled so the truck can keep running when crews need it in service.
On affected Business Class M2 emergency vehicles, the shutdown function was left active. If the truck detects a covered vehicle problem, the software can command the engine to shut down instead of allowing continued operation. For an emergency vehicle, that turns a normal protection feature into a service problem because the engine can stop when the crew expects it to keep running.
There is no warning sign before failure. This is a software setting issue, not a worn part you can hear or feel changing before it acts.
Who's affected?
| 2014 Freightliner Business Class M2 | electrical system software |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 20 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
During emergency operations, an engine shutdown can hamper rescue work and increase the risk of injury. Keep the truck ready for service, and contact a Freightliner dealer to confirm repair availability before emergency use. Repair will be free at any franchised Freightliner dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014 Freightliner Business Class M2 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Freightliner dealer and ask whether the free engine-shutdown software update is ready for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 13V496 when you call so the dealer can find the Freightliner campaign.
- Ask the dealer to confirm the software update disables automatic engine shutdown for emergency-use vehicles.
- Keep the vehicle out of emergency service until the dealer confirms the recall software update is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Freightliner technician updates the engine software on the affected 2014 Business Class M2 emergency vehicle. The update disables the engine shutdown setting that belongs off for emergency use, so the engine is not commanded to shut down during a vehicle problem response. Once the repair is open, the software update and labor are covered under the recall. Freightliner handles the work through its dealer network.
Timeline
| October 17, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 2, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V496?
Recall 13V496 covers 20 2014 Freightliner Business Class M2 emergency vehicles with engine software that was not disabled for emergency use. The software can shut down the engine during certain emergency operations, hampering rescue work and increasing injury risk.
What should I do if my 2014 Freightliner Business Class M2 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific emergency vehicle is included in recall 13V496. If it is, contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the engine software update. Reference recall number 13V496 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the defect repair at no cost, and Freightliner dealers will update the engine software free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for vehicles included in recall 13V496.
Is it safe to use the vehicle for emergency operations?
The risk is tied to emergency use. In recall 13V496, the engine shutdown software can stop the engine during certain emergency operations, which can hamper rescue work and increase injury risk. Confirm the VIN and schedule the free software update before relying on the vehicle for emergency service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V496000 |
|---|---|
| Freightliner customer service | 1-503-745-5219 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V496 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V496000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (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 →