Recall 21V002 affects 1 2018 Freightliner M2 vehicle for a rearward-aimed license plate light. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
Freightliner is recalling 1 2018 M2 vehicle equipped with a Maxon license plate kit because the license plate light was aimed rearward instead of toward the plate. The light can shine toward other drivers and increase crash risk, and a Freightliner dealer will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The license plate lamp on the 2018 Freightliner M2 is the small exterior light that shines on the rear plate so it stays readable at night. On this vehicle, the lamp is part of a Maxon license plate kit used with a liftgate, the powered platform at the back of the truck. The lamp's job is simple: point down at the plate, not back toward traffic.
In the affected kit, the supplied lamp sits at the wrong angle when the kit is installed as provided. Instead of shining downward onto the license plate, the light points rearward and runs parallel to the road. That leaves the plate without proper illumination from the installed lamp.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or service technician would need to look at the lamp position and confirm that the light is aimed down at the license plate.
Who's affected?
The body structure and exterior lighting items both trace to the license plate lamp installation kit.
| 2018 Freightliner M2 | body structure |
|---|---|
| 2018 Freightliner M2 | Exterior lighting |
| Units affected | 1 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident 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?
A license plate light aimed toward other drivers creates a visibility problem for traffic around the vehicle and increases crash risk. If your VIN is included, schedule the replacement kit soon and avoid delaying the repair. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Freightliner M2 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the free replacement kit for the rearward-aimed license plate light.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. Reference recall number 21V002 when you call.
- Call Freightliner customer service at 1-715-754-5261 with questions about the repair path.
- Avoid driving behind other traffic at night until the license plate light is repaired.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Freightliner technician replaces the affected Maxon license plate kit with the recall replacement kit. The work addresses the license plate light that was aimed rearward instead of toward the license plate. The replacement kit is provided free of charge under recall 21V002. Marion began the recall on January 11, 2021 and listed Marion customer service at 1-715-754-5261 for owner questions about the kit.
Timeline
| January 8, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 8, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| January 8, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| January 11, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
| January 29, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V002?
Recall 21V002 covers 1 2018 Freightliner M2 vehicle equipped with a Maxon license plate kit. The license plate light was installed facing rearward instead of toward the plate, which can shine toward other drivers and increase crash risk. Dealers provide the replacement kit for free.
What should I do if my 2018 Freightliner M2 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 21V002. If it is, contact a franchised Freightliner dealer and ask for the Maxon license plate light replacement kit. Reference recall number 21V002 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall repair at no cost, and Marion's remedy says dealers provide the replacement kit free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for the affected license plate light kit.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is glare toward other drivers. In recall 21V002, the license plate light faces rearward instead of toward the plate, which can distract or impair drivers behind the truck and increase crash risk. The free fix replaces the lighting kit.
What if I bought this Freightliner M2 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recalls follow the vehicle, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2018 Freightliner M2 is included, then reference recall number 21V002 when you contact the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V002000 |
|---|---|
| Freightliner customer service | 1-715-754-5261 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V002 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V002000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (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 →