2017 Freightliner Cascadia

Do not drive

Owners filed 9 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 20 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Visibility/Wiper1
000
Vehicle Speed Control1
000
Unknown or Other1
100
Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System1
000
Steering › Gear Box (other Than Rack and Pinion)1
000
Service Brakes1
001
Fuel/Propulsion System1
000
Forward Collision Avoidance › Sensing System › Radar1
000
Air Bags1
102

20 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Electronic Stability Control (esc)23V073000
Filed Feb 10, 202370,167 vehiclesDaimler Trucks North America, Llc

Defect. Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2017-2023 Freightliner Cascadia, 2020-2023 Western Star 49X, 2021-2023 Western Star 47X, and 2022 Freightliner 114SD vehicles. The brake modulator valves on the front axle may corrode and cause the vehicle to pull to the affected side during braking initiated by Electronic Stability Control (ESC) or Roll Stability Control (RSC).

Risk. Brakes that pull to one side may cause a sudden change in vehicle direction, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Dealers will inspect and replace the front brake modulator valves, as necessary. Some vehicles will have a software update which will alert driver when a replacement is required. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning October 13, 2023. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL966.

Service Brakes, Air › Antilock › Modulator22V817000
Filed Nov 1, 2022219,390 vehiclesDaimler Trucks North America, Llc

Defect. Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2017-2023 Freightliner Cascadia, 2020-2022 Freightliner Business Class M2, and 2022 Freightliner 114SD, and 2020-2023 Western Star 49X, 2021-2023 Western Star 47X, and 2021-2022 Western Star 57X vehicles. The brake modulator valves on the front axle may corrode and cause the vehicle to pull to the affected side during an Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) braking event.

Risk. Brakes that pull to one side during an ACC braking event may cause a sudden change in vehicle direction, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Dealers will inspect and replace the front brake modulator valves, as necessary. Some vehicles will have a software update which will alert driver when a replacement is required. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning October 16, 2023. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-958. This recall expands and replaces previous recall 20V-390. All vehicles previously repaired under recall 20V-390 will need to have the new remedy performed.

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights20V567000
Filed Feb 16, 2022128,451 vehiclesDaimler Trucks North America Llc

Defect. Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Cascadia P4 vehicles. The brake lights may remain illuminated after the brake pedal has been released.

Risk. If the brake lights remain illuminated, drivers may be unaware when the truck is actually slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the 3-pin brake pressure switch with a 2-pin brake pressure switch along with a jumper harness, free of charge. DTNA issued owners an interim notification on November 17, 2020. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 21, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-863.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Bulbs21V357000
Filed May 14, 202172,510 vehiclesDaimler Trucks North America, Llc

Defect. Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Freightliner Cascadia vehicles equipped with halogen headlight assemblies. The halogen headlight bulb may dislodge during replacement and contact other vehicle components, possibly causing them to melt.

Risk. Melting components can increase the risk of fire.

Remedy. Dealers will install a foam grommet, cut a 4-inch access hole into the inner fender, and add a warning label on both fenders, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 9, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-887.

Service Brakes, Air › Supply › Quick Release Valve20V390000
Filed Jul 2, 2020164,326 vehiclesDaimler Trucks North America Llc

Defect. Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Freightliner Cascadia tractor trailers. The single brake modulator valve may be affected by chemical corrosion which can slow down the release timing and cause the brakes to pull to the affected side during automatic braking events.

Risk. Brakes that pull to one side during automatic braking events may cause a sudden change in vehicle direction, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front left and right single brake modulator valves will be replaced and spacers added, free of charge. The recall began August 28, 2020. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-855.

Exterior Lighting20V214000
Filed Apr 14, 202063,175 vehiclesDaimler Trucks North America Llc

Defect. Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2006-2020 Freightliner Columbia, 2006-2021 Freightliner Business Class M2, 2007-2020 Freightliner Coronado, 2014-2021 Freightliner 122 SD, 2007 Sterling A 9500, 2006 Freightliner Argosy, 2006-2007 Sterling AT9500, 2008-2021 Freightliner Cascadia, 2006-2008 Freightliner Classic, 2006-2011 Freightliner Century Class, 2006-2010 Freightliner FLD, and 2017 Western Star 5700 vehicles. The rear reflective tape may be partially covered by the mudflap hanger bracket, which may reduce the vehicle's visibility to other drivers on the road. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk. The vehicle's rearward visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and reposition the reflective tape to ensure that it is completely visible, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 29, 2020. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL848.

Service Brakes, Air › Supply › Reservoir/Tank19V370000
Filed May 14, 2019741 vehiclesDaimler Trucks North America Llc

Defect. Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2004-2019 Freightliner 108SD, 114SD, 122SD, Cascadia, Columbia, Classic, FL80, FLD 120SD, Business Class M2, Western Star 4700, 4900, 6900, Sterling Acterra, L7500, LT7500, L8500, LT8500, L9500, and LT9500 vehicles. The vehicles may have an insufficient service brake air reservoir capacity. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Risk. An insufficient air reservoir volume may reduce brake effectiveness, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy. DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will add air reservoir capacity to the affected vehicles. Owner letters were mailed on November 29, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-815.

Suspension › Front › Control Arm18V913000
Filed Dec 19, 2018501 vehiclesDaimler Trucks North America Llc

Defect. Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Freightliner 114SD, 122SD, 108SD, Cascadia and Business class M2 trucks, Freightliner Custom Chassis XBS, XCL, XCM, MT45, MT55, S2G, S2RV, XCR and XCS custom chassis and Western Star 4700, 4900 and 5700 trucks equipped with Detroit Axle axles. The affected vehicles may have loose steering and tie rod arm bolts.

Risk. Loose tie rod arm bolts may lead to separation of the tie rod arm, resulting in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. DTNA has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the steering arm and tie rod arm bolts for to make sure that they are properly tightened, installing new fasteners as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 9, 2019. Owners may contact Daimler Trucks at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-802.

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch18V742000
Filed Oct 19, 20186,326 vehiclesDaimler Trucks North America Llc

Defect. Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Freightliner Cascadia vehicles. The brakes lights on these vehicles may remain activated after the brake pedal is released.

Risk. If the brake lights remain activated, other drivers may be unaware that the vehicle is actually slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. DTNA will notify owners and dealers will replace the brake light switch. The recall began January 18, 2019. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-799.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Diesel18V581000
Filed Aug 30, 20184,500 vehiclesDaimler Trucks North America Llc

Defect. Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Freightliner Cascadia, Coronado and 122SD, and Western Star 4900 trucks, equipped with Cummins ISX15 or X15 diesel engines. In certain driving conditions, such as on a long down-hill grade, the fuel line may burst if the fuel pump cooling circuit screen becomes restricted.

Risk. If the fuel line bursts, fuel may leak onto the road resulting in a roadway hazard for other motorists. The engine may also stall without warning, resulting in the vehicle's inability to restart, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Dealers will replace the affected nylon fuel line with a steel fuel line, free of charge. The recall began November 21, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712 or Cummins customer service at 1-800-286-6467. DTNA's number for this recall is FL789.

Showing 10 of 20 campaigns, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Unknown or OtherCrash
Filed Feb 16, 2025MI

KNOWN - TAKE OVER OF SLOW LANE FROM PASSING LANE ON FREEWAY RESULTING IN UN LAWFUL TAKE OVER OF SLOW LANE PLEASE ADVISE OF ALL SYSTEMS WORKING PROPERLY ON VIN DESIGNATED THANK YOU

Service Brakes1 injured
Filed May 5, 2021271,455 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BRAKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A PINCHED NERVE IN NECK. THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW IF THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER OR IF IT HAD BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW IF MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 271,455. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System
Filed Aug 14, 2019200,000 milesMI

[XXX], FORMER EMPLOYEE OF AUTOBAHN, OVERSEEING 8 DRIVER TRUCKS HAD ALL TRUCKS REQUIRE POWER STEERING BOXES DUE TO A LOSS OF ASSIST. HER TESTIMONY WILL BE ADDED AS AN ATTACHMENT SINCE IT IS LONGER THAN THE ALOTTED 2200 CHARACTERS *TT*JB ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).')*JB

Forward Collision Avoidance › Sensing System › Radar
Filed May 28, 2019240,000 milesNH

TL* THE CONTACT DROVE A 2017 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A CRASH MITIGATION SYSTEM INSTALLED BY A COMPANY CALLED WABCO. THE SYSTEM WAS A RADAR-BASED SYSTEM SET TO APPLY THE BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY TO AVOID COLLISIONS. WITHIN THE PAST FEW MONTHS, THERE WERE SOME SOFTWARE UPDATES AND THE SYSTEM WAS PICKING UP OTHER OBJECTS, SUCH AS OVERHEAD SIGNS THAT COULD CAUSE THE AUTO BRAKE SYSTEM TO ACTIVATE UNNECESSARILY. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS TESTED BY THE WABCO MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE SYSTEM WAS WORKING NORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE THREE INCIDENCES WHEN THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING ENGAGED WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE PICKED UP ROAD SIGNS 20 FEET ABOVE THE HIGHWAY INSTEAD OF VEHICLES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITH OTHER DRIVERS NATIONWIDE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT REFUSED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE CONTACT WAS AN EMPLOYEE OF RIDER INTEGRATED LOGISTICS, WHO OWNED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 240,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

Steering › Gear Box (other Than Rack and Pinion)
Filed Apr 5, 2019251,602 milesMO

I WORKED FOR A TRANSPORT FLEET THAT HAD NUMEROUS POWER STEERING GEARBOX ISSUES ON 2017 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA'S. DURING MY TENURE THERE I OVERSAW 8 TRUCKS THAT HAD STEERING BOX REPLACEMENTS DUE TO EITHER STEERING PULL OR LACK OF POWER ASSIST. I DIAGNOSED ANOTHER 5 UNITS AT THE MAIN OFFICE IN ROMULUS, MICHIGAN THAT NEEDED POWER STEERING BOXES. I HAVE ALSO WORKED CLOSELY WITH A FREIGHTLINER DEALER TO DETERMINE THE BOXES WERE FAILING DUE TO INCREASED HEAT BUILDUP, INTERNAL BEARING FAILURE AND FLUID DEGRADATION. I NOTED IN THE COMPLAINT OF 13 OCCURRENCES. THIS NUMBER WAS THE 8 REPLACED BOXES AND THE OTHER 5 I INSPECTED. THESE TRUCKS DEVELOPED STEERING PROBLEMS BETWEEN MAY 2018 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2018

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Oct 19, 201845,000 milesTN

WHEN USING WIPERS THEY WILL QUIT WORKING PERIODICALLY I CAN SWITCH TO HIGH SPEED OR TO INTERMITTENT AND THEY WILL WORK I CAN ALSO PUSH THE WASHER FLUID BUTTON IN REAL QUICK AND THEY WILL START WORKING AGAIN THEY MAY WORK FOR A FEW SECONDS AND QUIT AGAIN AND THEY MAY WORK A FEW MINUTES AND QUIT AGAIN. FREIGHTLINER IN KINGSPORT TN CHECKED IT OUT ON A DRY DAY AND SAID NOTHING WRONG I THINK IT'S A PROBLEM WHEN IT'S RAINING SOMETHING IS GETTING WET AND STOPPING A COMPLETE CONNECTION THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM IN A 80 THOUSAND POUND VEHICLE TO NOT BE ABLE TO SEE WHEN RAINING

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Feb 16, 2018511,234 milesNC

WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AND BEGIN TO SMELL FUEL SO PULLED OVER AND FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM HIGH PRESSURE LINE GOING TO PUMP

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Nov 17, 2016500 milesPA

THIS COMPLAINT PERTAINS TO ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL (ACC), FORWARD CRASH AVOIDANCE (FCA) AND LANE DEPARTURE WARNING SYSTEMS (LDWS). I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE BUT IT WILL PERTAIN TO ALL VEHICLES WITH THESE SYSTEMS. THE ACC AND FCAS BECAUSE OF ITS STRAIGHT LINE OF SIGHT IS MISINTERPRETING THE DATA ON APPROACH TO BRIDGES, OVERPASSES AND OVERHEAD SIGNS AND WILL INITIATE A HARD BRAKING EVENT ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN NO BRAKING IS REQUIRED CAUSING THE POTENTIAL TO LOSE CONTROL AND FOR A FOLLOWING VEHICLE TO CRASH. THIS PROBLEM WOULD BE INTENSIFIED ON WET, ICY AND SNOW COVERED ROADS. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED A HARD BRAKING EVENT ON INTERSTATES ON APPROACH TO A CURVE IN THE ROAD WHERE VEHICLES AHEAD WILL ALREADY BE IN THE CURVE IN ANOTHER LANE AND THE DATA IS MISINTERPRETED AS A CRASH AND BRAKES HARD BECAUSE THE OTHER VEHICLES ARE DIRECTLY IN THE LINE OF SIGHT. AGAIN, NO BRAKING WAS REQUIRED. ON APPROACH TO A VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY READY TO MOVE INTO ANOTHER LANE TO EXECUTE A PASSING MANEUVER THE VEHICLE IS BRAKED FORCING A LOSS IN VEHICLE MOMENTUM WHEN NO BRAKING WAS REQUIRED. IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, RAIN, SNOW, FROST AND FOG THE SENSORS BECOME UNABLE TO SEE WHICH IS THE BEST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN AND THE ONLY WAY TO DISABLE IT THAT I KNOW OF. THESE EVENTS OCCUR EVERY SINGLE DAY ON MY TRIPS. I AM A PROFESSIONAL DRIVER WITH 35 YEARS' EXPERIENCE IN COMMERCIAL VEHICLES AND 40 IN A CAR. I DRIVE 570 MILES A NIGHT. THESE TECHNOLOGIES IN THEIR CURRENT STATE HAVE NO PLACE IN VEH

Air BagsCrash2 injured2 killed
Filed Nov 16, 2016AZ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWERVE BACK AND FORTH VIOLENTLY. THE WHEELS SEPARATED FROM THE AXLE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VEER TO THE RIGHT AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL FRACTURED, BUT DID NOT DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE STEERING ROD SNAPPED AND BECAME LOOSE FROM THE HUB. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE ENCOUNTERED THE ROAD AND THE REAR OF THE TRACTOR TRAILER SWERVED AND DID A U-TURN, WHICH CAUSED THE CAB TO CRASH AND LAND ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND INTO A TREE LINE. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT OF THE CAB DISINTEGRATED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER DIED ON IMPACT. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION; HOWEVER, THE PASSENGER DIED EIGHT HOURS AFTER THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

9 of 9 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2019
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20263300Routine
20251800Routine
202414200Routine
202312720Routine
2022131902Fatalities reported
2021152100Routine
2020262100Routine
2019282922Fatalities reported
2018112611Do not drive
2017 — this page92002Do not drive
2016121230Routine
2015161810Routine
2014122120Routine
201371910Routine
2012171930Routine
2011122300Routine
2010122311Fatalities reported
2009192430Routine
200882200Routine
200711200Routine
20061800Routine
20051300Routine
20040200Routine
20030100Routine
20020100Routine

Compare every Cascadia year →

Reading this record

NHTSA has issued a do-not-drive warning for a recall on this vehicle.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Feb 10, 2023. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.