Recall 21V528 covers 1 2017 Freightliner M2 vehicle with overly bright rear LED lights. The filter kit is free from the light manufacturer.
Freightliner is recalling one 2017 M2 vehicle under recall 21V528 because the all-in-one rear LED lights are too bright and exceed the allowed light output. The excessive brightness can affect other drivers' vision and increase crash risk, and Freightliner dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The rear stop, tail, turn, and reverse LED lamp on the 2017 Freightliner M2 is the rear lighting unit that tells other drivers when the vehicle is braking, turning, backing up, or being seen at night. It is supposed to send a clear signal without producing more light than the safety standard allows.
On this vehicle, the all-in-one rear LED lights were found to produce elevated light intensity during photometry testing. That means the lamps still illuminate, but their output is outside the allowed range. The concern is not a dark or missing signal. The concern is glare: rear lights that are too bright can affect the vision of drivers behind the vehicle.
Because the issue is excess brightness, not a part that breaks, there is no warning sign before failure. The driver of the Freightliner is unlikely to notice the problem from inside the cab; the concern is the light level seen by other drivers behind the vehicle.
Who's affected?
| 2017 Freightliner M2 | Exterior lighting |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 1 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2017 Freightliner M2 truck is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
Excessive light brightness can affect the vision of other drivers and increase the risk of a crash. Use the vehicle cautiously around traffic, and arrange the repair soon so the lighting meets the required brightness. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017 Freightliner M2 is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the free rear-LED-light filter kit that reduces excessive brightness.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 21V528 when you call.
- Avoid driving behind vehicles at night until the filter kit is installed, since the rear lights are too bright for drivers behind you.
What happens at the repair
The recall remedy is available now. Summit Bodyworks provides instructions for getting a filter kit from the light manufacturer at no charge. The kit addresses the rear LED lights that were brighter than allowed by reducing the light output. If you work through a Freightliner service desk, ask them to confirm the correct kit and installation path for your 2017 M2 before the vehicle returns to service. The filter kit is free under the recall. Out-of-pocket lamp repairs already paid are handled through the manufacturer's warranty or goodwill program, not through a separate reimbursement program. Ask the service desk how that coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| July 13, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 13, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| July 13, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| August 25, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 15, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V528?
Recall 21V528 covers 1 2017 Freightliner M2 vehicle with rear LED lights that exceed the maximum light output allowed by FMVSS 108. Excessive brightness can affect the vision of other drivers and increase crash risk. Summit Bodyworks will provide instructions for a free filter kit.
What should I do if my 2017 Freightliner M2 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 21V528. If it is, contact Summit Bodyworks customer service at 1-303-348-2681 and ask for the free filter kit instructions. Reference recall number 21V528 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall remedy to be provided at no cost. For recall 21V528, Summit Bodyworks will provide instructions for obtaining the filter kit from the light manufacturer free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is excessive rear light brightness. On the affected 2017 Freightliner M2, the all-in-one rear LED lights exceed the allowed output and can affect other drivers' vision, increasing crash risk. The free filter kit is the remedy.
When was the owner notified?
Summit Bodyworks mailed the owner notification letter on September 15, 2021. If you own this 2017 Freightliner M2 and never received that letter, check your VIN and call Summit Bodyworks at 1-303-348-2681 with recall number 21V528.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V528000 |
|---|---|
| Freightliner customer service | 1-303-348-2681 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V528 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V528000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (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 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →