Recall 20V251 covers 5 2019 Freightliner Business Class M2 trucks with harness connectors that can unplug. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
Freightliner is recalling 5 2019 Business Class M2 trucks equipped with Cummins PowerDrive EV drivetrains because a wire-harness connector can unplug and break communication between control modules. The defect can cause sudden loss of drive power and power steering, which increases crash risk, and Freightliner dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The PowerDrive EV powertrain in the 2019 Freightliner Business Class M2 is the electric drive system that moves the truck and supports power steering. Its wire harness carries electrical signals between control modules, the onboard computers that coordinate the drivetrain. Those signals tell the high-voltage system when to keep power flowing to the traction drive and steering assist.
For NHTSA campaign 20V251, the problem is a connector inside that wire harness that is susceptible to coming unplugged. When that happens, the control modules lose communication. The system then shuts off the high-voltage contactors, which are the main electrical switches for the drivetrain, and the truck loses drive power and power steering assist without the driver commanding it.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is inside the harness connection, so the driver does not get a reliable early symptom before communication drops and the high-voltage system shuts off.
Who's affected?
| 2019 Freightliner Business Class M2 | powertrain |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 5 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2019 Freightliner Business Class M2 truck is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
A sudden loss of drive power can leave the truck unable to accelerate, and loss of power steering makes it harder to control. That combination increases crash risk, especially in traffic or during a turn. If your VIN is included, schedule the recall service and drive cautiously until confirmed. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019 Freightliner Business Class M2 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to confirm the free wire-harness connector repair that addresses sudden loss of drive power and power steering is complete for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 20V251 and Freightliner recall FL-850 when you call.
- Bring the recall notice or service records to the dealer if you have them.
- Stop driving and call the dealer if the truck loses drive power or power steering before the repair is confirmed.
What happens at the repair
Freightliner says the affected trucks have already been remedied. If your VIN still shows an open recall, a Freightliner technician checks the Cummins PowerDrive EV wire harness connector and restores the connection between the control modules as needed. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. The manufacturer's general reimbursement plan is on file for this campaign, so owners who paid out of pocket for the same repair before the recall notice can ask about documented reimbursement through the service desk or customer care.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| February 1, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
|---|---|
| May 5, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V251?
Recall 20V251 covers 5 2019 Freightliner Business Class M2 trucks with Cummins PowerDrive EV drivetrains. A wire-harness connector can unplug, causing loss of communication between control modules and sudden loss of drive power and power steering.
What should I do if my 2019 Freightliner Business Class M2 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 20V251. If it is, contact a franchised Freightliner dealer and ask the service desk to confirm the Cummins drivetrain remedy was completed. Reference Freightliner recall number FL-850 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Freightliner says the affected vehicles have already been remedied through Cummins. Ask the dealer to verify completion against your VIN and document the recall status in the service record.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is sudden loss of drive power and power steering. That can make the truck harder to control and increases crash risk. The recall repair path is to confirm the VIN and have a franchised Freightliner dealer verify that the Cummins PowerDrive EV drivetrain remedy is complete.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V251000 |
|---|---|
| Freightliner customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V251 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V251000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →