Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Freightliner Cascadia, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Exterior lighting4
- Vehicle speed control3
- Electrical system2
- Unknown or other2
- Service brakes2
- Forward collision avoidance2
- Air bags1
- Service brakes, air1
- Electronic stability control (esc)1
- Tires1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 1 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 278 2018 Cascadia vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 34 people died inside them, and 32 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)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2018 Freightliner Cascadia failed the safety check 2.35% of the time — 43% more often than the average 2018 passenger car (1.65%). Median odometer at inspection: 321,056 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls in Canada
24 Transport Canada recalls for the 2018 Freightliner Cascadia.
| 2023051 10 Feb 2023 | Brakes Issue: On certain trucks, the brake modulator valves could corrode. As a result, the brakes on one wheel could fully apply when the roll stability control sys… |
| 2022626 1 Nov 2022 | Brakes Issue: On certain trucks, the brake modulator valves could corrode. As a result, the brakes on one wheel could fully apply during an adaptive cruise control b… |
| 2021290 14 May 2021 | Lights And Instruments Issue: On certain trucks, if the headlamp bulb is replaced and not properly installed, it could move and contact other parts inside the headlamp. Safety R… |
| 2020488 16 Oct 2020 | Powertrain Issue: On certain trucks equipped with an Eaton automated manual transmission and electronic clutch actuator (ECA), a component within the clutch assembly cou… |
| 2020444 18 Sept 2020 | Brakes Issue: On certain trucks, the brake lights may stay on after the brake pedal is released. Safety Risk: Brake lights that stay on could cause other road … |
| 2020305 2 Jul 2020 | Brakes Issue: On certain trucks, the brake modulator valves could corrode. As a result, the brakes on one side of the vehicle may be slow to release after an automat… |
| 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… |
| 2019054 7 Feb 2019 | Airbag Issue: On certain vehicles, the driver-front airbag could deploy without warning. Safety Risk: An airbag that deploys without a crash could create a ris… |
| 2018719 20 Dec 2018 | Steering On certain vehicles, the bolts that join the steering and tie rod arm to the steering knuckle may not have been properly tightened. This could lead to a separat… |
| 2018714 19 Dec 2018 | Powertrain This recall was replaced by Transport Canada Recall No. 2020-488. On certain vehicles equipped with an Eaton automated manual transmission and electronic cl… |
| 2018624 13 Nov 2018 | Airbag On certain vehicles, the driver’s airbag could deploy without warning due to a problem with the steering wheel clockspring. An unintended airbag deployment coul… |
| 2018575 22 Oct 2018 | Lights And Instruments On certain vehicles, the brake lights may remain on after releasing the brake pedal. If the brake lights stay on constantly, a following driver may not be alert… |
| 2018550 9 Oct 2018 | Brakes On certain vehicles equipped with air disc brakes, the brake caliper mounting bolts may be incorrectly torqued. This could result in the caliper bolts loosenin… |
| 2018469 31 Aug 2018 | Fuel System On certain trucks built with a Cummins X15 or ISX15 engine equipped with nylon fuel lines and a banjo bolt on the fuel pump, a blockage in the fuel cooling syst… |
| 2018418 9 Aug 2018 | Brakes On certain vehicles equipped with air disc brakes, the brake caliper mounting bolts may be incorrectly torqued. This could result in the caliper bolts loosenin… |
| 2018387 23 Jul 2018 | Visual System Certain vehicles may fail to conform to the requirements of Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 121 - Air Brake Systems and CMVSS 136 - Electronic Stab… |
| 2018333 18 Jun 2018 | Brakes On certain vehicles equipped with air disc brakes, the brake caliper mounting bolts may be incorrectly torqued. This could result in the caliper bolts loosenin… |
| 2018285 30 May 2018 | Brakes On certain vehicles equipped with air disc brakes, the brake caliper mounting bolts may be incorrectly torqued. This could result in the caliper bolts loosening… |
| 2018245 9 May 2018 | Airbag On certain vehicles, the fasteners securing the airbag module to the steering wheel may not be installed to specification. In the event of crash warranting depl… |
| 2017580 28 Nov 2017 | Brakes On certain vehicles equipped with certain air disc brakes, the brake caliper mounting bolts may be incorrectly torqued. This could result in the caliper bolts l… |
| 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… |
| 2017569 20 Nov 2017 | Powertrain On certain vehicles equipped with certain automatic transmissions, an internal shift lock bolt on the transmission may seize and prevent the transmission to shi… |
| 2017489 10 Oct 2017 | Steering On certain vehicles, the pinch bolt of the upper steering shaft may not have been tightened to the proper specification. This could lead to a loss of the mechan… |
| 2017357 18 Jul 2017 | Structure On certain vehicles, certain tow hooks that are used for recovery purposes may have been incorrectly manufactured and may not meet material strength specificati… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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).
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.
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.
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.
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Freightliner Cascadia, Business Class M2, 108SD, 114SD and 122SD and Western Star 4700, 4900 and 5700 vehicles. An internal component within the clutch assembly may fail, which in certain circumstances could allow the vehicle to move unexpectedly.
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.
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 2018-2020 Freightliner Cascadia vehicles. The ABS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may not detect an incorrectly functioning solenoid valve for the ABS/ESC module during certain low voltage start conditions, potentially causing the ABS/ESC Malfunction indicator not to illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems" and number 136, "Electronic Stability Control Systems on Heavy Vehicles."
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."
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Freightliner Cascadia vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the Anti-Lock Braking system (ABS) malfunction warning light may not reactivate after the ignition has been turned off and then switched back on. As such, the vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems."
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Freightliner Cascadia vehicles equipped with an optional steering wheel air bag. The driver's frontal air bag may deploy unexpectedly.
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Freightliner 108SD, 114SD, 122SD, Cascadia, Business Class M2, Western Star 4700, 4900, and 5700 vehicles, equipped with certain Eaton ECA heavy-duty truck clutches. An internal component in the clutch assembly may fail, possibly resulting in unintended vehicle movement.
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.
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.
Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Freightliner 108SD, 114SD, Cascadia, Business Class M2, Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation S2C 106 Cab, S2G Cab Chassis, XCL, XCM, XBS, XCP, XCR, Western Star 4700, 4900 and 5700 trucks. The brake caliper mounting bolts may have been insufficiently tightened.
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.
Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Freightliner 108SD, 114SD, 122SD, Cascadia, Columbia, Coronado, and Business Class M2 vehicles. During manufacturing, the brake caliper mounting bolts may have been insufficiently tightened.
Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Freightliner Cascadia vehicles. Over time, the pitman arms may crack and fracture.
Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Freightliner Cascadia trucks. The Instrument Cluster Unit (ICU) may not perform the required bulb checks for the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) or Electronic Stability Control (ESC) if the ignition is turned from on to off to on too quickly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems," and 136, "Electronic Stability Control Systems on Heavy Vehicles."
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Freightliner Cascadia vehicles. The brake caliper mounting bolts on these vehicles may not been properly tightened, potentially resulting in the caliper detaching.
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Freightliner M2 Business Class, 108SD, 114SD and Cascadia trucks, Western Star 4700, 4900, and 5700 trucks, FCCC S2C 106 Cab, S2G Cab, XBR, XBS, XCL, XCM, XCP, XCR, and XCS chassis equipped with air disc brakes. The brake caliper mounting bolts on these vehicles may be insufficiently tightened, allowing the bolts to loosen.
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Freightliner Cascadia vehicles. The fasteners that secure the driver's air bag module within the steering wheel may not have been installed to specification, possibly affecting the frontal air bag deployment in the event of a crash.
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 2018 Freightliner Cascadia trucks equipped with Detroit automatic transmissions. A shift lock bolt within the transmission can seize, preventing the transmission from being shifted out of gear range 7 through 12.
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Freightliner Cascadia vehicles. The upper steering pinch bolt may not have been properly tightened, possibly causing a loss of mechanical connection between the steering wheel and front wheels.
Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain 2018 Freightliner Cascadia, M2 Business Class, 114SD, and 122SD trucks, and Western Star 4700 and 5700 trucks. These vehicles have tow hooks used for recovery purposes that may fail during use.
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 2018 Freightliner Cascadia: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11011588 | Revised Technical Service Bulletin for Detroit New Final Drive Standard Performance Forward Carrier Change to Top Performance Passive Lube Management. |
| 11011124 | Technical Service Bulletin for Detroit Drive Axle Identification and Lubrication |
| 11011082 | CX Advocate for CARB tightening the Readiness Criteria applied to On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) test submissions for the Clean Truck Check. |
| 11011076 | Warranty Information letter for Detroit Line or Line Seal, High Pressure Fuel Injector Standard Repair Time Updates |
| 11011075 | Technical Service Bulletin for Repairing Seat Occupancy Sensor for ISRI, SEARS and National Truck Seats |
| 11010186 | CX Advocate for CARB tightening the Readiness Criteria applied to On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) test submissions for the Clean Truck Check. |
| 11010182 | Service Solution for Cascadia with Cummins Engines and eViscous Engine Fan with Communication Issues |
| 11010143 | Service Solution for Detroit Successful Regen Reference for GHG17 DD Engines |
| 11008539 | CX Advocate for NFD fill plugs |
| 11008508 | Service Solution for Detroit Successful Regen Reference for GHG17 DD Engines |
| 11007523 | CX Advocate for Missing Regen switch menu on ICUC Screen |
| 11007516 | CX Advocate for clean idle label placement |
| 11007514 | CX Advocate for Technical Service Bulletin for New Battery Cable Access (BCA) Parts for Improved Cold Weather Functionality (TSB54-369-FTL, TSB54-095-WST) |
| 11007498 | Revised Technical Service Bulletin for Detroit New Final Drive Standard Performance Forward Carrier Change to Top Performance Passive Lube Management. Description of Revisions: The bulletin replaces the version dated 05/14/2024. Creation date has been updated. |
| 11007487 | Important Campaign Information letter for DDC D23M3 - Campaign Reactivated and Extended. Field Service Campaign D23M3 - GHG17 DETROITTM DD16 Vibration Damper Replacement has been extended for an additional 6 months. |
| 11005500 | CX Advocate for NOx conversion low faults. Update to CXA 6_24_NOx submission. |
| 11005490 | Technical Service Bulletin for New Battery Cable Access Parts for Improved Cold Weather Functionality |
| 11005472 | My Communications for New Espar HS3 Heater and Extreme Insulation |
| 11005470 | Revised Technical Service Bulletin for Detroit New Final Drive Standard Performance Forward Carrier Change to Top Performance Passive Lube Management. Description of Revisions: The bulletin replaces the version dated 05/14/2024. Creation date has been updated. |
| 11005469 | Service Solution for ECP Solenoid Interim Service Replacement Parts |
| 11005448 | Customer Advisory Letter for Proactive Air Compressor, Resonator, and Suction Line Replacement |
| 11003889 | CX Advocate communication for NOx conversion low faults |
| 11001976 | Customer letter regarding variable speed water pump. |
| 11001189 | Field Service Campaign Owner Reminder Postcard large population |
| 11001188 | Field Service Campaign Owner Reminder Postcard small population |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Automatic Emergency Braking Errors
Automatic Emergency Braking Errors
Halogen Headlights May Cause Fires
Engine Electrical Wiring Harness Chafe
SAM Cab Water Intrusion
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation