Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2008 Freightliner Cascadia, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Steering7
- Visibility1
- Wheels1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 5 2008 Cascadia vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 1 person died inside them, and 1 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
Recalls in Canada
20 Transport Canada recalls for the 2008 Freightliner Cascadia.
| 2020158 14 Apr 2020 | Lights And Instruments Issue: On certain trucks equipped with "Fleet Engineer" mud flaps, the bracket for the mud flaps may partially cover the rear reflective tape. Canadian regula… |
| 2017583 28 Nov 2017 | Brakes On certain vehicles with air brakes, after several hard brake applications, the brake light pressure switch may not activate the brake lights with a light appli… |
| 2015113 16 Mar 2015 | Lights And Instruments On certain vehicles water intrusion could occur, and corrode and damage inside of the Signal-detect and Activation Module (SAM) Chassis. This corrosion could c… |
| 2012080 27 Feb 2012 | Fuel System On certain trucks equipped with a Detroit Diesel DD13, DD15 or DD16 engine, the support system for the high pressure fuel line (between the fuel pump and the fu… |
| 2011411 21 Nov 2011 | Other On certain vehicles equipped with an MBE4000 (EPA07) engine, the intake air grid heater may short circuit and fail. This could result in a vehicle fire causing… |
| 2011367 14 Oct 2011 | Steering On certain trucks equipped with a rack & pinion steering system, the lower pinion bearing may corrode and fail. As a result, the vehicle may require additional… |
| 2011346 19 Sept 2011 | Other On certain vehicles, specific operating conditions (such as tight, successive, highly banked curves in opposite directions), could trigger unintended Electronic… |
| 2011345 19 Sept 2011 | Fuel System On certain trucks, the plastic low-pressure fuel line between the engine-mounted fuel filter and the engine block may develop a diesel fuel leak. The location … |
| 2011236 22 Jun 2011 | Electrical On certain trucks equipped with a DD15 or DD16 engine, the bolt attaching a rubber isolator to a support bracket may become loose, back out, and contact the sta… |
| 2010144 3 May 2010 | Fuel System On certain vehicles, should the fuel filter become restricted, the low pressure fuel flange may develop a crack resulting in a fuel leak. Fuel leakage, in the … |
| 2010076 16 Mar 2010 | Seats And Restraints On certain vehicles, the "LifeGuard RollTek" Advanced Occupant Protection System, designed to provide additional protection to vehicle occupants in the event of… |
| 2009294 14 Oct 2009 | Engine On certain vehicles, the engine grid heater may fail, which could result in a vehicle fire causing property damage, personal injury or death. Correction: Deale… |
| 2009287 5 Oct 2009 | Fuel System On certain trucks, the plastic low-pressure fuel line may fatigue crack and leak. Diesel fuel leakage may ignite on a hot engine surface and cause a fire, whic… |
| 2009271 22 Sept 2009 | Airbag On certain trucks, the side-roll sensor - designed to detect vehicle pitch and control deployment of the system's seatbelt pretensioner and side airbag - may ha… |
| 2009259 9 Sept 2009 | Steering On certain trucks, the left inner tie rod end may loosen and eventually separate from the steering rack. Tie rod failure could result in a loss of steering con… |
| 2009009 12 Jan 2009 | Electrical On certain trucks, the Chassis and Cab Signal-detect and Activation Modules (SAMs) may suffer water intrusion, which could cause an electrical short or intermit… |
| 2008109 31 Mar 2008 | Brakes Certain vehicles may have been assembled with an incorrectly manufactured Bendix MV-3 dash control valve. If the double check valve becomes lodged, in the even… |
| 2008014 17 Jan 2008 | Brakes On certain vehicles, incorrect fasteners may have been used to attached the brake caliper to the brake anchor plate during vehicle assembly. The incorrect fast… |
| 2007411 17 Dec 2007 | Steering On certain trucks, an incorrectly manufactured steering gear sector shaft may cause the steering to "stick or bind". This could severely restrict the steering … |
| 2007359 7 Nov 2007 | Other On certain trucks, the fifth wheel hitch assembly's lever arm may have been incorrectly installed during the manufacturing process. The lever arm pivot bolt ma… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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."
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2002-2017 Freightliner Cascadia, Century Class, Columbia and Coronado trucks and Western Star 4700, 4900, 5700, 5900 and 6900 trucks. These vehicles are equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers that may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2008-2018 Freightliner Cascadia, Western Star 4700, 4900, 5700, and 6900 trucks. After hard brake applications, the brake light pressure switch may not activate the brake lights with a light application of the brake pedal.
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Freightliner Cascadia trucks manufactured March 26, 2007, to August 31, 2010. Water may leak into the Signal-detection and Activation Module (SAM) Chassis causing corrosion which may result in electrical shorts or possible intermittent operation of trailer lights.
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (Daimler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2015 Freightliner 114SD, Cascadia, M2 Business Class, Sterling LT8500, and Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX vehicles manufactured February 19, 2008, through February 11, 2014, and equipped with Cummins Westport Model ISL G and Cummins Westport Model ISX12 G engines. Condensation in the intake manifold may freeze during cold weather conditions and interfere with the proper operation of the intake manifold pressure sensor.
DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2013 FREIGHTLINER, STERLING, AND WESTERN STAR VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH DETROIT DIESEL EPA07 AND EPA10, DD13 AND DD15/16 ENGINES, MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 20, 2006, THROUGH FEBRUARY 20, 2012. THE PUMP TO RAIL HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE SUPPORT SYSTEM USED ON THESE ENGINES IS SENSITIVE TO ASSEMBLY TORQUE AND MAY BE DAMAGED DURING SERVICE WORK. AS A RESULT OF OTHER REPAIRS, THE LINE SUPPORTS MAY LOOSEN, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO FUEL LINE CRACKING AND A FUEL LEAK.
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA, COLUMBIA, CENTURY, CORONADO, AND CLASSIC XL TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 1, 2004, THROUGH JUNE 15, 2010 FOR THE RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM. THE LOWER PINION BEARING MAY CORRODE AND FAIL. A FAILED BEARING MAY LEAD TO DAMAGE OF THE SPOOL VALVE SEALS. A DAMAGE SPOOL VALVE SEAL MAY ALLOW HYDRAULIC FLUID TO FLOW TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT TURN PORT INSTEAD OF FLOWING TO THE RETURN PORT.
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2008 HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 11, 2003, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 28, 2007, EQUIPPED WITH EPA04 MODEL MBE4000 ENGINES BUILT WITH PLASTIC LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINES AND FUEL FILTERS MOUNTED NEAR THE CENTER OF THE ENGINE ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE. THE PLASTIC LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINE BETWEEN ENGINE MOUNTED FUEL FILTER AND ENGINE BLOCK MAY DEVELOP A SUBSTANTIAL DIESEL FUEL LEAK.
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2012 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2, CASCADIA, CENTURY, COLUMBIA, CORONADO AND STERLING A-LINE VEHICLES BUILT WITH MERITOR WABCO ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) SYSTEM MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 15, 2005 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1, 2011. UNDER CERTAIN ROAD AND DRIVING CONDITIONS, VEHICLE BODY ROLL AND ROAD INCLINATION CHARACTERISTICS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT THE SLIP ANGLE CALCULATION OF THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) SYSTEM. THIS MIGHT CAUSE THE ESC TO PERCEIVE AN OVER STEERING SITUATION AND THEREFORE APPLY THE OUTER WHEEL BRAKE ON THE FRONT AXLE UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS PERCEIVED TO BE STABLE.
DTNA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2012 FREIGHTLINER; CASCADIA, CENTURY CLASS, COLUMBIA, AND CORONADO, CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 STERLING; A-LINE AND L-LINE AND CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2012 WESTERN STAR CONSTELLATION VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH JUNE 15, 2011, BUILT WITH DETROIT DIESEL 15 OR 16 ENGINES. THE BOLT ATTACHING A RUBBER ISOLATOR TO A SUPPORT BRACKET MAY BECOME LOOSE AND BACK OUT, POTENTIALLY CONTACTING AN UN-FUSED STARTER CABLE AND CREATING A SHORT CIRCUIT.
DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2011 FREIGHTLINER, CASCADIA, CENTURY, COLUMBIA FLD, AND M2, STERLING 9500, AND WESTERN STAR 4900 HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 20, 2006, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH SPECIFIC MBE4000 EPA07 MODEL ENGINES. THE INTAKE AIR GRID HEATER MAY SHORT CIRCUIT AND FAIL DUE TO EXCESSIVE INTERNAL TEMPERATURES.
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2011 FREIGHTLINER, FCCC, STERLING, AND WESTERN STAR HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2006, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH SPECIFIC MBE900 EPA04 AND EPA07 MODEL ENGINES. THE INTAKE AIR GRID HEATER MAY SHORT CIRCUIT AND FAIL DUE TO EXCESSIVE INTERNAL TEMPERATURES.
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA, CASCADIA, CORONADO, CENTURY, M2, STERLING 9500, AND WESTERN STAR 4900 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DD 13 AND DD15/DD16 ENGINES AND MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 1, 2007 THROUGH APRIL 5, 2010. SHOULD THE FUEL FILTER BECOME RESTRICTED, THE LOW PRESSURE FUEL FLANGE MAY DEVELOP A CRACK RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAK.
DAIMLER TRUCKS HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 CASCADIA EQUIPPED WITH LIFEGUARD ROLLTEK ADVANCED OCCUPANT PROTECTION SYSTEM. THE LIFEGUARD ROLLTEK IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PROTECTION TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT AND IT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY INSTALLED.
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 FREIGHTLINER, STERLING AND WESTERN STAR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DETROIT DIESEL DD15 EPA07 ENGINES WHICH WERE MANUFACTURED WITH GRID HEATERS. INCREASED INTERNAL GRID HEATER RESISTANCE CAUSED BY IMPROPERLY TIGHTENED SCREWS MAY MELT THE SOLDER ON THE GRID HEATER CIRCUIT BOARD LEADING TO A SHORT CIRCUIT.
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2010 HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 17, 2006 AND MARCH 31, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH EPA07 MODEL MBE4000 ENGINES BUILT WITH PLASTIC LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINES. THE PLASTIC LINES MAY EXPERIENCE LEAKS DUE TO FATIGUE CRACKS CAUSED BY STRESS AND VIBRATION COMBINED WITH HIGH INTERNAL PRESSURE.
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2009 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH INDIANA MILLS AND MANUFACTURING ROLLTEK SIDE-ROLL PROTECTION SYSTEMS. THE SENSOR DESIGNED TO DETECT VEHICLE ROLL CAN MALFUNCTION AND CAUSE THE SIDE AIRBAGS TO INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY.
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 29, 2005 THROUGH JULY 3, 2009. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITION, THE LEFT HAND INNER TIE ROD END MAY LOOSEN OVER TIME AND IF NOT CORRECTED, POTENTIALLY SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING RACK.
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 14181 MY 2007-2009 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CAB SIGNAL-DETECT AND ACTIVATION MODULES (SAMS). POTENTIAL CORROSION DAMAGE DUE TO WATER INTRUSION INTO THE SAMS MAY CAUSE ELECTRICAL SHORTS OR INTERMITTENT OPERATION OF TAIL LAMPS, STOP LAMPS, SIDE MARKER LAMPS AND TRAILER LIGHTING. IN SOME CASES STARTER MOTORS HAVE ACTIVATED WITHOUT A KEY ON.
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 900 MY 2008 FREIGHTLINER ARGOSY, ARGOSY RHD, CASCADIA, COLUMBIA, CENTURY ST, CORONADO, STERLING ACTERRA, L-LINE AND WESTERN STAR 4900 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX MV-3 DASH CONTROL VALVES. THE MOLDED VALVE BODY HAS AN INCORRECT CORE PIN IN THE INJECTION MOLD CAUSING THE VALVE BODY TO BE OVERSIZED IN THE DOUBLE CHECK VALVE AREA. THIS CONDITION CAN ALLOW THE RUBBER DOUBLE CHECK VALVE TO BECOME LODGED IN THE BODY OPENING UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, INCORRECT FASTENERS MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE CLAMPING FORCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE CALIPER AND BRAKE ANCHOR PLATE POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS.
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRW STEERING GEARS, MODELS TAS85 AND RCS85, THESE STEERING GEARS CONTAIN POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE SECTOR SHAFTS WITH AN INCORRECT GEAR TOOTH WHICH MAY INTERFERE WITH THE RACK-PISTON TEETH, RESULTING IN A STICK OR BIND CONDITION.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Freightliner told its dealers about the 2008 Freightliner Cascadia: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10236419 | ABS Light illuminating in the ICU. |
| 10236418 | ICUC Bulb check function. |
| 10209296 | Revised Freightliner Service Bulletin for ParkSmart Eberspaecher Auxiliary Heater Service. This bulletin replaces the version dated May 2015. The note in General Information has been revised to include New Cascadia. Espar information has been changed to reflect a company name change to Eberspaecher. |
| 10199899 | End of Production for the Freightliner P3 Cascadia Sales Cabs. Due to low production volumes, DTNA will be discontinuing the production of the Freightliner Cascadia P3 Sales Cabs. |
| 10195924 | SAM Cab & SAM Chassis Wall Charts |
| 10195913 | Cascadia Fault codes 6.0 |
| 10195716 | Odometer racks up mileage when the vehicle is stationary - Cascadia |
| 10195701 | Cascadia - Engine Will Not Crank (No Starter Output from SAM Cab) |
| 10195659 | SS 1032974 High Oil Pressure on 2017 DTNA Vehicles Instrument Cluster Display |
| 10195626 | SS 469068 Cascadia SAM Cab, SAM Chassis, MSF and CGW Hardware Compatibility |
| 10195593 | Service Solution SS 1033047 M2 Battery Drain Problem Mismatched I... |
| 10195576 | SS 1033121 Adding a Fan Override Switch (Legacy Cascadia) |
| 10195575 | Service Solution SS 1033094 KUS Float Tube Fuel Level Sensor Inform... |
| 10195478 | SS 1033638 - Power Window Express Down Module Discontinued |
| 10193732 | Freightliner Action Bulletin FAB158 Cummins Eaton SmartAdvantage |
| 10193710 | Freightliner Action Bulletin FAB154 New options for Cascadia |
| 10193705 | Freightliner Action Bulletin FAB153 New Harness Highway for Cascadia |
| 10193690 | Freightliner Action Bulletin FAB146 Cascadia LED headlights |
| 10193686 | Freightliner Action Bulletin FAB145 New Cascadia Roof Fairing |
| 10190551 | Warranty Information letter announcing that DTNA is increasing the Standard Diagnostic Times (SDTs) shown. The updated after treatment system (ATS) diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) pump times will be applied to repair orders opened on or after April 12, 2021. |
| 10190549 | Warranty Information Letter announcing DTNA is adjusting the Standard Repair Times (SRTs) shown. The updated times will be applied to repair orders opened on or after April 5, 2021. |
| 10185896 | Warranty Information Letter for Detroit New Service Replacement Engine SRT Update. While validating Standard Repair Times (SRTs) for Detroit's new Gen 5 engine series, DTNA discovered an error in a pre-Gen 5 SRT for the New Service Replacement Engine Program. As a result, DTNA re-studied the SRT and concluded that time for removing/re-installing multiple components (e.g., exhaust manifold/turbo, engine sensor harness, rocker arm assemblies, etc.) should not be included. |
| 10184785 | Revised Freightliner Service Bulletin for Axle Flange Gasket Replaced with O-Ring. Revision removed steps instructing removal and installation of wheels. Daimler Trucks North America has released a new axle shaft to hub rubber O-ring (part number 11-30728-000) as a replacement for the paper gasket (part number 11-14418-000). The new O-ring will provide better sealing and is reusable. It is quicker and easier to use compared to the paper gasket, because using a paper gasket requires cleaning the hub when the axle shaft is removed. |
| 10183955 | Special Publication Letter for EPA07 EPA10 Three-Filter Fuel System DD15 DD16 Severe Duty High Pressure Fuel Rail Feed Lines Service Kit |
| 10183954 | Special Publication letter for Two-Filter Fuel System KM59 GEN1 DD15 DD16 Severe Duty High Pressure Fuel Rail Feed Lines Service Kit. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
SAM Cab Water Intrusion
Daimler Trucks North America Recalls
RACK AND PINION FAILURE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation