2021 Freightliner Cascadia

Routine

Owners filed 15 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the tires. It has been recalled 21 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Tires5
000
Suspension2
000
Service Brakes2
000
Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking2
107
Tires › Tread/Belt1
000
Structure › Body1
000
Steering1
000
Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control1
000

21 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Service Brakes, Air › Antilock26V583000
Filed Sep 9, 20262,404 vehiclesDaimler Trucks North America, Llc

Defect. Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Freightliner Cascadia and 2022 Western Star 49X vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 23V073 or 22V817. The brake modulator valves on the front axle may corrode and cause the vehicle to pull to one 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 replace the brake modulator valves, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 8, 2026. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is F1039. Vehicles repaired under the prior recalls will need the new repair completed.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)23V299000
Filed Apr 26, 2023266 vehiclesDaimler Trucks North America, Llc

Defect. Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain short wheelbase 2020-2024 Freightliner Cascadia, 2021-2024 Freightliner M2 Business Class, 2022 Western Star 4700, and 2020 Freightliner Classic Cascadia vehicles. The vehicle is equipped with an electronic stability control system and tire combination that may understeer during a J-turn. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 136, "Electronic Stability Control Systems on Heavy Vehicles."

Risk. Understeering during a J-turn may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy. DTNA will replace the tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 19, 2023. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL971.

Exterior Lighting › Hazard Flashing Warning Lights23V208000
Filed Mar 28, 202324,282 vehiclesDaimler Trucks North America, Llc

Defect. Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Freightliner Cascadia and Western Star 49X vehicles. The hazard warning lights may flash improperly during an Advanced Braking Assist event. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk. Hazard warning lights that flash improperly may cause confusion for other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Dealers will update the software controlling the hazard warning lights, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2023. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL851.

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.

Tires22V919000
Filed Dec 12, 202249 vehiclesDaimler Trucks North America, Llc

Defect. Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Freightliner 114SD, 2023 Freightliner 122SD, 2020 Western Star 4700, 2019-2022 Western Star 4900, 2019-2023 Freightliner Business Class M2, and 2021 Freightliner Cascadia vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with tires that are not compatible with their 8.25-inch rims. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 120, "Wheels and Rims-Other Than Passenger Cars."

Risk. Driving with tires that are not compatible with their rims can reduce tire performance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Dealers will replace the tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2023. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-962.

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.

Fuel System, Diesel › Fuel Injection System › Fuel Rail21V965000
Filed Dec 13, 20212,843 vehiclesDaimler Trucks North America, Llc

Defect. Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Western Star 4700, 2019-2022 Freightliner 114SD, 2021-2022 Western Star 49X, Freightliner Cascadia P4, 2022 Western Star 47X, 2021 Western Star WF110, 2020 Western Star WJ121, and 2019-2021 FCCC XCP Chassis vehicles. The fuel tubes between the fuel rail and the injectors for cylinders four, five, and six may fatigue and crack, which can result in a high pressure fuel leak.

Risk. A high pressure fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy. Dealers will replace the fuel tubes, and install vibration isolators, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 28, 2022. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-915.

Steering › Linkages › Drag › Link › Connection21V689000
Filed Sep 2, 2021113,085 vehiclesDaimler Trucks North America, Llc

Defect. Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2019 Freightliner Classic Cascadia and 2019-2021 Freightliner Cascadia trucks. The drag link taper joint may not have been tightened sufficiently and could come loose, resulting in a complete separation of the drag link from the steering arm.

Risk. Drag link separation can cause a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. DTNA will inspect the drag link taper joint and repair it as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 29, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA's customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-900.

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery › Cables21V481000
Filed Jun 25, 2021122,056 vehiclesDaimler Trucks North America, Llc

Defect. Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Freightliner Cascadia P4, 2021 Western Star WH126, 2020 Western Star WJ121, and 2021-2022 Western Star 49X vehicles. The battery cable terminal may break, resulting in a loss of electrical power and unintended engine stall.

Risk. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Dealers will repair or replace the battery cables, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 7, 2022. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-893.

Showing 10 of 21 campaigns, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes
Filed Sep 17, 2026OH

Without warning an Automatic breaking event occurred and the tractor slammed on its breaks while on open road with no one near on a sunny day. I was bobtailing south.. That event caused my AEB system to disable itself and I also lost cruise control. The funny thing is even after the system is disabled I’m still having automatic breaking events around curves..

Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency BrakingCrash7 injured
Filed Feb 1, 2024NC

While vehicle approached a hazard blocking the roadway the forward collision and automatic braking feature did not engage; apparently due to the vehicle sensors not recognizing the hazard. The object in the roadway was a 53 ft van trailer that was laid on it's side with the translucent roof facing the approaching vehicle.

Steering
Filed Dec 23, 2023OH

When driving, there is a constant and very strong vibration throughout the entirety of the truck. This makes it difficult to steer and drive in a safe manner. I've replaced any parts that might be associated with this malfunction with brand new parts at the advice of professional mechanics (cost over $30,000) and it was to no avail. The truck is still malfunctioning and I have been left unable to work or barely working for 14 months. The vibration has caused many health concerns, like headaches, nausea, and stomach ulcers. I went to over 10 dealers and there has been no solutions that have worked.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 4, 2023CA

My Emplyoer has not fixed anything on the truck, the truck shouldn’t be operating, doesn’t meet DOT Regulations, I was told not to go into any scales or weigh stations, loses air and the air doesn’t build back up properly, I lost all air in my breaks while driving on the road

Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking
Filed Jun 29, 2023IL

I'd like to report the automatic braking device on our company semi tractor. I work for a large mega carrier hauling all types of freight, with triples and doubles combination trailers. We operate with Freightliners, Kenworths, and Internationals. The tractor tractor I use is a 2021 Freightliner equipped with a safety feature, an automatic braking system to avoid collisions for stopped or slowed traffic ahead. The issue is, it randomly brakes with no obstructions ahead. I've seen reports that you guys are looking into this. And I'm also informing you that our trucks deal with this issue as well. There's no defect warnings on the device's monitor system. No previous accidents that would cause issues to the device to have faulty sensor. The problem with the system, it sees a shadow on the road and it thinks theres a stopped vehicle, forcing the truck to hard apply the brakes. This can be extremely dangerous on inclement weather, more so on icy conditions. Few weeks ago, I traveled through the same part of the toll road like I always do, I know this spot activates the brakes 70-85% of the time during the night. That night, my trailers ABS light was on, when I approached the bad spot, all my brakes activated and almost caused my truck to jack-knife, lost full control but didn't crash, nor was anyone near me. But it would've been a different outcome if it was bad weather. When I approach this area, I always turn on my high beams to try to eliminate the shadow on the road. Where th

Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control
Filed May 31, 2023215,000 milesNV

The contact owns a 2021 Freightliner Cascadia. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH with the cruise control activated, the brakes applied independently. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the calibration of the radar. The vehicle was repaired but experienced the failure within a week. The contact took the vehicle back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the radar to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the same failure within a month. The contact took the vehicle back a third time to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the recalibration of the radar. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure intermittently. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 215,000.

Suspension
Filed Sep 19, 2022NV

This complaint is being filed in addition to my previous complaint which is complaint #1147128511471285. Both left and right vehicle airbag suspension height regulators were just replace a month ago, and once again, the right side airbag ride height regulator has blown apart, causing my semi truck to lean heavily to the right side, and wear out my right front steer tire exceedingly fast. And, the radar braking system erratically slams the brakes on at random times, which could cause a catastrophic accident. Imagine hauling an 80,000 lb. load, and the truck just decides to slam on the brakes, in a corner, in the rain, or in the snow. You’re riding a very thin line between life and death. Freightliner will now be sued for negligence, embezzlement, fraud, and loss of use of my truck. My truck just spent 40 days at the Freightliner Dealership for several Factory Safety Recalls, and they just replaced both airbag ride height control vale’s, because they both failed. If this isn’t a clear cut case of the Federal Lemon Law, nothing is.

Tires
Filed Aug 6, 2022MI

TIRE SIZE: 275/80 R22.5 MICHELIN ENERGY LINE Z Component that failed is drivers side steer front tire. The tire blew out and resulted in loss of vehicle control. This failure DID cause an accident putting others safety at risk. Both Freightliner Corp. and Michelin Tire Co. are aware of this failure. No one has inspected the tire. I DO NOT have the tire in my possession yet. There are/were no warning, messages or symptoms of this problem prior to. This truck had a right side tire failure at the decoupling groove on May 11, 2022. The tire was replaced at that time with a new tire tire. This truck returned to Toledo Ohio to our terminal. The 4X4X4 air fairings were then removed at the request of DTNA. On 8-5-22 with 52,742 miles on the tire, it blew out resulting in an accident.

Tires
Filed Jul 28, 2022MI

TIRE SIZE: 275/80 R22.5 MICHELIN ENERGY LINE Z Component that failed is the passenger side steer front tire. The inside edge decoupling groove failed. Risks include a potential tire blow resulting in loss of vehicle control. This failure could cause an accident putting others safety at risk. Both Freightliner and Michelin Tire Co. are aware of this failure. Michelin tire representative has visually inspected the tire and asked to have the tire returned to the Michelin Company for further inspection. I have not released the tire to them yet. There are/were no warnings, messages or symptoms of this problem prior to. This truck was built with 4X4X4 front air fairing that was removed after this failure by the request of the Freightliner Corp. The mileage on the tire at the time of failure was, 89,490 miles.

Tires
Filed Jul 28, 2022MI

TIRE SIZE: 275/80 R22.5 MICHELIN ENERGY LINE Z Component that failed is drivers side steer front tire. The outside edge decoupling groove/sidewall failed. Risks include potential tire blow resulting in loss of vehicle control. This failure could cause an accident putting others safety at risk. Both Freightliner Corp. and Michelin Tire Co. are aware of this failure. No one has inspected the tire. I have the tire in my possession. There are/were no warning, messages or symptoms of this problem prior to. This truck was built with a 4X4X4 front air fairing that was removed after this failure by the request of Freighliner Corp. Mileage on tire at the time of failure was 165,782 miles.

Tires
Filed Jul 28, 2022MI

TIRE SIZE: 275/80 R22.5 MICHELIN ENERGY LINE Z Component that failed is the passenger steer front tire. The outside edge decoupling groove/sidewall failed. Risks include potential tire blow resulting in loss of vehicle control. This failure could cause an accident putting others safety at risk. Both Freightliner Corp. and Michelin Tire Co. are aware of this failure. No one has inspected the tire. I have the tire in my possession. There are/were no warning, messages or symptoms of this problem prior to. This truck was built with a 4X4X4 front air fairing that was removed after this failure by the request of Freighliner Corp. Mileage on tire at the time of failure was 71,000 miles.

Tires
Filed Jul 28, 2022MI

TIRE SIZE: 275/80 R22.5 MICHELIN ENERGY LINE Z Component that failed is passenger side steer front tire. The outside edge decoupling groove/sidewall failed. Risks include potential tire blow resulting in loss of vehicle control. This failure could cause an accident putting others safety at risk. Both Freightliner Corp. and Michelin Tire Co. are aware of this failure. No one has inspected the tire. I have the tire in my possession. There are/were no warning, messages or symptoms of this problem prior to. Michelin Tire Co. sent us 2 new tires and requested we remove the air fairing to see if this could resolve the problem. At the time we proceeded with this request the truck had 315,805 miles on it. On 6-20-22 Michelin Tire Co. supplied Freightliner Corp. with a tech bulletin regarding the decoupling groove failure. At 455,485 miles this tire was showing signs of decoupling failure. This failure appeared to be within the guide lines of the tech bulletin. At 465,523 miles the tire showed excessive decoupling groove failure in multiple spots. Mileage on tire at the time of failure was 149,718 miles.

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Jun 29, 2022326,168 milesMI

The contact owns a 2021 Freightliner Cascadia equipped with Michelin Tires, Tire Line: X, Tire Size: 275/80/R25.5, DOT Number: (Not Available). The contact stated upon inspecting the tires, he noticed that the decoupling groove was peeling off on the passenger's side front tire. The passenger's side front tire was replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 112,814. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred on the driver's front side tire. The tire was replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 160,375. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger's side tire blew out inadvertently. The driver depressed the brake pedal and stopped the vehicle. The driver was then able to veer to the side of the road with the assistance of the State Police. The tire was replaced on site. The tire failure mileage was 496,000. The vehicle was then taken to the local dealer who replaced the front passenger's side tire with a new tire. The tire manufacturer was notified of the failure and inquired about performing an analysis of the damaged tires. The vehicle manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle failure mileage was approximately 326,168.

Suspension
Filed Jun 28, 2022NV

I purchased a new P4 through my employers Lease Purchase program, and when I ordered my new truck, I ordered it with the Hendrickson Air-Ride Suspension Package for the front axle, disc brakes front and rear, and a few other options. My truck required 14 all axle alignment’s before it was driving correctly, after destroying both left & right steer tires. One Freightliner dealer set the right front at 7/16” toe-in, after I threatened to bring legal action against the dealership, only to learn three weeks later, the toe-in was set at 7/16”, which destroyed the tire. I personally measured the rear axle alignment with a tape measure to find both drive axles are staggered approximately 1.3” to 1.75” causing my drive tires to wear abnormally fast, forcing me to buy new tires for $7,000+. The worst part is the Hendrickson Air Ride Suspension unit is extremely “sloppy” and noisy when driving and turning at all speeds, constantly making loud “clunking” sounds, which are all felt heavily while hold the steering wheel. Nobody seems to want anything to do with my new truck, and if I get killed while driving my truck, because of faulty manufacturing, at least you have a record of my case to investigate further. I just learned yesterday from another driver, that Freightliner just discovered their trucks with the Hendrickson Air Ride Suspension System option have all been issued a “Service Bulletin” to replace faulty, leaking ride-height control valves which can cause a catastrophic crash b

Structure › Body
Filed Jun 21, 2022TX

Upon driving this truck for the first time, previous trucks were Kenworth and Peterbilt, it quickly came to my attention that the passenger side door mirror housing blocks drivers view when scanning to the right before entering a roadway. I the affected area extends from the front of the A-pillar to the outside of the mirror housing. When this model was designed the mirror housing that attaches to the door was swept back for asthetic reasons I am guessing. This creates a dangerous situation since a lot of the drivers are placed in this particular model when they first start driving. If I was to purchase this particular model, I would immediately replace the mirror with one that was positioned 90 degrees to the door as both the older Freightliner and the trucks mentioned above are. I am not sure how this particular change was approved unless it was tested in a static environment. Please look into this, but the only way to experience what I am describing is too test it in as close to a real world environment as possible.

15 of 15 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2019
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20263300Routine
20251800Routine
202414200Routine
202312720Routine
2022131902Fatalities reported
2021 — this page152100Routine
2020262100Routine
2019282922Fatalities reported
2018112611Do not drive
201792002Do 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

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

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: Sep 9, 2026. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.