Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Freightliner Cascadia, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Tires6
- Forward collision avoidance5
- Service brakes3
- Electrical system2
- Steering2
- Suspension2
- Structure1
- Unknown or other1
- Engine1
- Visibility1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 7 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 268 2021 Cascadia vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 35 people died inside them, and 26 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 2021 Freightliner Cascadia failed the safety check 0.00% of the time — 100% less often than the average 2021 passenger car (0.95%). Median odometer at inspection: 260,389 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls in Canada
18 Transport Canada recalls for the 2021 Freightliner Cascadia.
| 2026428 9 Sept 2026 | Brakes Issue: On a small number of trucks, the recall repairs completed by an DTNA service facility during recalls FL958 and FL966 (Transport Canada recall nos. 2022… |
| 2024745 10 Dec 2024 | Visual System Issue: On certain trucks, the windshield glass may not allow the amount of light required by the Canadian regulations. Safety Risk: This small error doe… |
| 2023280 11 May 2023 | Lights And Instruments Issue: Under certain conditions, the hazard lamps could flash improperly when the active brake assist (ABA) system applies full emergency braking. Note: Thi… |
| 2023083 20 Feb 2023 | Steering Issue: On certain trucks, the joint connecting the steering arm to the drag link may not have been properly tightened. As a result, the joint could loosen and… |
| 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… |
| 2021756 13 Dec 2021 | Fuel System Issue: On certain trucks, the fuel tubes between the fuel rail and the injectors may crack and create a fuel leak. Note: This recall only affects trucks equ… |
| 2021545 2 Sept 2021 | Steering Issue: On certain trucks, the joint connecting the steering arm to the drag link may not have been properly tightened. As a result, the joint could loosen and… |
| 2021399 25 Jun 2021 | Electrical Issue: On certain trucks built with aluminum battery cables, the terminal that attaches the battery cable to the frame may break. If this happens, there could… |
| 2021304 19 May 2021 | Steering Issue: On certain vehicles, the tie rod clamp may not have been properly tightened. As a result, the tie rod end could loosen and separate. If this happens, t… |
| 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… |
| 2021219 12 Apr 2021 | Steering Issue: On certain trucks, the tie rod arm and steering arm bolts may be defective and could break. If this happens, there could be a loss of steering control.… |
| 2021174 24 Mar 2021 | Powertrain Issue: On a small number of trucks, the clutch damper could fail. If this happens, broken parts could prevent the clutch from disengaging. This could cause th… |
| 2021013 20 Jan 2021 | Brakes Issue: On a small number of trucks equipped with air disc brakes and a certain steering arm configuration, a single brake caliper mounting bolt on the left si… |
| 2021007 13 Jan 2021 | Tires Issue: On certain trucks, the tread on the steer axle tires could separate while driving. If this happens, the tire could fail and suddenly lose air pressure.… |
| 2020513 27 Oct 2020 | Wheels Issue: On certain trucks, the spindle nut snap ring on the left side of the steer axle may not be installed correctly or may be missing. As a result, the tire… |
| 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… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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).
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."
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."
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 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."
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 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.
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.
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.
Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Freightliner 114SD, 122SD, Business Class M2, Cascadia, 108SD, Western Star 4900, 4700, 5700, Custom Chass RV Chassis, Custom Chass S2 Chassis, Custom Chass XC Chassis, Custom Chass XB Chassis, and Custom Chass MT Chassis. The tie rod clamps may be loose, which could result in loose tie rod ends that could break or detach.
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 2021-2022 Freightliner Cascadia, Business Class M2, 114SD, 108SD, 122SD, Custom Chass S2 Chassis, Custom Chass XB Chassis, Custom Chass XC Chassis, and Custom Chass MT Chassis Western Star 4700, 4900, 5700 vehicles. The steering arm and tie rod bolts may have a defective seam that can fracture.
Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2021 Freightliner Cascadia and Western Star 4700 vehicles. The clutch flange may break.
Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Freightliner Cascadia vehicles equipped with a Cummins X15 engine. The capscrews that attach the flywheel to the crankshaft may have been improperly torqued, allowing the flywheel to detach.
Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling 2021 Western Star 4700 and 5700, Freightliner Business Class M2, Cascadia, and Custom Chassis XC Chassis vehicles manufactured with a certain steering arm configuration with air disc brakes identified by the axle assembly supplier. On certain vehicles, one of the six brake caliper mounting bolts on the driver side steer axle may have been incorrectly tightened.
Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Freightliner Cascadia sleeper trucks equipped with Bridgestone R284, R268, or R283S ECOPIA steer axle tires in conjunction with a specific air dam. The steer tires may experience tread separation or blow-outs while driving.
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2021 Freightliner Cascadia vehicles. The clutch flange may break due to the heat treating and stamping process.
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Freightliner Cascadia, 2021 Freightliner 108SD, 114SD and Business Class M2 and Western Star 4700, 4900 and 5700 vehicles. The steer axle spindle nut snap-ring locking feature may be incorrectly installed or missing from the left spindle nut at the spindle.
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."
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 2021 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 |
| 11011107 | Service Solution for J1939 CAN issues for vehicles equipped w/ Bendix Side Radar w/ expanded field of view |
| 11011098 | CX Advocate for P4 J1939 Communication Errors (TSB54-366-FTL) |
| 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 |
| 11011072 | Revised Technical Service Bulletin for ABS Wheel Speed Fault Code Correction for MBSP Equipped Vehicles. Description of Revisions: This bulletin replaces the version dated 10/09/2024. Updated FMI number in the metadata. |
| 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 |
| 11010169 | Technical Service Bulletin for J1939 Communication Errors with Cummins Engine Automated or Allison Transmission and Bendix Side Radar |
| 11010157 | Technical Service Bulletin for ABS Wheel Speed Fault Code Correction for MBSP Equipped Vehicles |
| 11010143 | Service Solution for Detroit Successful Regen Reference for GHG17 DD Engines |
| 11010134 | Important Campaign Infomration letter for DDC D23M1 - Campaign Extended |
| 11008539 | CX Advocate for NFD fill plugs |
| 11008535 | CX Advocate for HDEP High Pressure Fuel Line Seal Failures |
| 11008512 | Revised Technical Service Bulletin for ABS Wheel Speed Fault Code Correction for MBSP Equipped Vehicles. Description of Revisions: This bulletin replaces the version dated 07/17/2024. Added metadata for fault code. |
| 11008508 | Service Solution for Detroit Successful Regen Reference for GHG17 DD Engines |
| 11007523 | CX Advocate for Missing Regen switch menu on ICUC Screen |
| 11007517 | CX Advocate for ConMet Oil Pan Insert Additional Failures |
| 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) |
| 11007513 | CX Advocate for AutoElevate Disablement Gen5 Engines |
| 11007512 | CX Advocate for benefits of Autoelevate and hydrocarbon faults |
| 11007499 | Revised Technical Service Bulletin for ABS Wheel Speed Fault Code Correction for MBSP Equipped Vehicles. Description of Revisions: This bulletin replaces the version dated 07/17/2024. Added metadata for fault code. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Automatic Emergency Braking Errors
Automatic Emergency Braking Errors
Engine Electrical Wiring Harness Chafe
SAM Cab Water Intrusion
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation