Recall 20V176 affects 1,532 2019-2020 Freightliner Business Class M2 and 108SD vehicles for under-lubricated front axles. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
Freightliner is recalling 1,532 2019-2020 Business Class M2 and 108SD vehicles equipped with Meritor MX 120 EVO Front Drive Steer axles because insufficient axle lubrication can damage wheel-end bearings. Damaged bearings can let a wheel separate and cause sudden loss of vehicle control, and Freightliner dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The Meritor MX 120 EVO Front Drive Steer axle on affected 2019-2020 Freightliner Business Class M2 and 108SD trucks carries the front wheel ends and helps steer while power moves through the axle. The wheel end bearings support the wheel hub and let it rotate smoothly under load. They depend on oil inside the wheel end to reduce friction and control heat.
On these trucks, certain axles were built without oil in the wheel end during axle production. Without that lubrication, the bearings run hot instead of rolling smoothly. Heat and friction damage the bearing surfaces, and the wheel end can seize. If the damage keeps building, the wheel end can separate from the axle.
There is no warning sign before failure. A driver should not count on noise, vibration, or a dashboard alert before the bearing damage reaches the point of seizing or wheel end separation.
Who's affected?
Covers two Freightliner truck lines across two model years, both involving the drive axle.
| 2020 Freightliner Business Class M2 | drive axle |
|---|---|
| 2019 Freightliner Business Class M2 | drive axle |
| 2020 Freightliner 108SD | drive axle |
| 2019 Freightliner 108SD | drive axle |
| Units affected | 1,532 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 5 field incidents to date. |
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?
Damaged bearings can allow a wheel to separate, causing a sudden loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash. If your VIN is included, drive cautiously and schedule the dealer inspection promptly so the wheel end components can be checked. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019-2020 Freightliner Business Class M2 or 108SD is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the free wheel-end inspection.
- Ask the dealer to inspect the Meritor MX 120 EVO front drive steer axle and replace wheel-end components that show bearing damage from insufficient lubrication.
- Bring the recall notice if Freightliner mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V176 when you call.
- Call Freightliner customer service at 1-800-547-0712 with questions about scheduling or recall FL-846.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Freightliner technician inspects the wheel end components on the front drive steer axle, including the bearing area where lubrication was insufficient. If the inspection shows damage or out-of-spec parts, the technician replaces the wheel end components covered by the recall. The recall repair is open, so a Freightliner dealer can perform this inspection and repair now. Parts and labor are covered under the recall.
Timeline
| March 23, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 12, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| May 21, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| May 21, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 21, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V176?
Recall 20V176 covers 1,532 2019-2020 Freightliner Business Class M2 and 108SD vehicles equipped with Meritor MX 120 EVO Front Drive Steer axles. Insufficient axle lubrication can damage wheel end bearings. Damaged bearings can allow wheel separation and sudden loss of vehicle control. Freightliner dealers inspect and replace wheel end components for free.
What should I do if my 2019-2020 Freightliner Business Class M2 or 108SD is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 20V176. If it is included, contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the axle and wheel end inspection. Reference recall 20V176 or Freightliner recall FL-846 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. DTNA's remedy for recall 20V176 says Freightliner dealers will inspect and replace the wheel end components, as necessary, free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 20V176?
The risk is wheel separation and sudden loss of vehicle control. Recall 20V176 involves front drive steer axles with insufficient lubrication, which can damage wheel end bearings. If your VIN is included, schedule the free dealer inspection and repair before continuing normal use.
What if I bought my Freightliner truck used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2019-2020 Freightliner Business Class M2 or 108SD is included, then call a franchised Freightliner dealer and reference recall 20V176.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V176000 |
|---|---|
| Freightliner customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V176 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V176000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →