Recall 23V537 covers 205 2023 Freightliner M2 vehicles for driveshafts that can break. Repair will be free at any franchised Freightliner dealer once available.
Freightliner is recalling 205 2023 M2 trucks because the driveshaft can break under loading conditions. A broken driveshaft can separate and cause loss of drive power, which increases crash risk, and the dealer repair will be free once Freightliner makes the remedy available.
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What's wrong?
The drive shaft on a 2023 Freightliner M2 is the rotating driveline tube that carries power from the transmission toward the drive axle. When the truck accelerates or pulls a load, the drive shaft turns under heavy torque so the rear wheels receive power. It has to stay straight, balanced, and strong while the truck is working.
On these Freightliner M2 trucks, the problem is inside the drive shaft material. Dana supplied drive shaft components made with non-conforming material from two production lots, caused by an error in the supplier's production process. Under certain loading conditions, that weaker material can let the drive shaft break instead of carrying torque through the driveline.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or driver should not count on noise, vibration, or a dashboard warning to appear before the drive shaft breaks.
Who's affected?
| 2023 Freightliner M2 | driveline |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 205 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
Not every 2023 Freightliner M2 truck is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
A broken driveshaft can separate and cause loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. If the truck feels unsafe or loses drive power, pull over when safe and call a Freightliner dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Freightliner dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2023 Freightliner M2 is included in this recall.
- Wait for Freightliner's repair instructions before scheduling the free driveshaft replacement that fixes the break-prone driveline.
- Contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to ask whether the repair is open for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 23V537 when you call the dealer.
- Avoid heavy loading until your VIN status and repair timing are confirmed.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Freightliner technician will replace the driveshafts covered by this recall. The final dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered by the recall. For reimbursement, the owner letter directs owners to seek repayment through authorized dealers. If you paid for a related driveshaft repair before the recall repair, take your repair order and payment documentation to an authorized Freightliner dealer and ask how the reimbursement process applies.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| August 1, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 30, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| September 30, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 30, 2023 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| November 30, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V537?
Recall 23V537 covers 205 2023 Freightliner M2 vehicles with driveshafts that can break under certain loading conditions. A broken driveshaft can separate and cause a loss of drive power, which increases crash risk. Freightliner dealers will replace the driveshafts for free.
What should I do if my 2023 Freightliner M2 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 23V537. If it is, call a franchised Freightliner dealer and ask about the driveshaft replacement. Reference recall 23V537 or Freightliner recall number FL980 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the safety defect at no cost. Freightliner dealers will replace the driveshafts free of charge, and DTNA customer service is available at 1-800-547-0712 for recall questions.
Is it safe to drive my Freightliner M2 before the repair?
The recall does not include a do-not-drive order, but the defect affects the driveline. A broken driveshaft can separate and cause loss of drive power. If your VIN is included, ask the Freightliner dealer whether the vehicle should be driven before the driveshaft replacement.
When were owners notified about recall 23V537?
DTNA mailed owner notification letters on November 30, 2023. If you bought the vehicle used or never received the letter, check your VIN and contact a franchised Freightliner dealer with recall 23V537 or Freightliner recall number FL980.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V537000 |
|---|---|
| Freightliner customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V537 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V537000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (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 →