The Used Car Index

2018 Freightliner Cascadia problems

NHTSA lists 11 complaints for the 2018 Freightliner Cascadia, 2 of them mention a crash and 1 mention a fire. 0 complaints mention an injury, with 0 injuries and 1 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-07.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA.

At a glance

Complaints
11
With crash
2
With fire
1
With injury (complaints)
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
1
Recalls
26
Do not drive recalls
1
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
438,255
Investigations
5
Open investigations
1
Manufacturer communications
1,044

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
EXTERIOR LIGHTING436.4%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL327.3%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM218.2%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE218.2%
SERVICE BRAKES218.2%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER218.2%
AIR BAGS19.1%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)19.1%
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR19.1%
TIRES19.1%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
EXTERIOR LIGHTINGBRAKE LIGHTS2
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEAUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
electrical electronic436.4%0.77
unclear218.2%1.00
visibility or lighting218.2%0.91
fire or overheating19.1%0.99
loss of control19.1%0.64
mechanical failure19.1%1.00
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate654.5%0.74
none218.2%0.98
critical19.1%1.00
high19.1%0.48
low19.1%0.50

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 11 tagged complaints of 11 complaints (100.0%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

26 recalls. Showing the latest 10 of 26.

23V073000

Date: 2023-02-10. Systems: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), SERVICE BRAKES, AIR.

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).

Consequence: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

22V817000

Date: 2022-11-01. Systems: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR.

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 Cruis (excerpt)

Consequence: 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. (excerpt)

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 (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

20V567000

Date: 2022-02-16. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.

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.

Consequence: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

21V357000

Date: 2021-05-14. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.

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.

Consequence: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

20V642000

Date: 2020-10-16. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: Unintended vehicle movement van increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will update the software and replace the clutches, free of charge. DTNA issued owners an interim notification on December 7, 2020. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 28, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-865.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

20V390000

Date: 2020-07-02. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR.

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.

Consequence: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

20V214000

Date: 2020-04-14. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.

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 (excerpt)

Consequence: The vehicle's rearward visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

19V711000

Date: 2019-10-07. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR.

Defect: 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 requiremen (excerpt)

Consequence: Without the alert, an operator may not be aware of an active ABS/ESC malfunction and unknowingly operate the vehicle with reduced ABS/ESC function, increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

Remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ABS/ESC module, free of charge. The recall began December 2, 2019. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-830. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

19V370000

Date: 2019-05-14. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR.

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 (excerpt)

Consequence: An insufficient air reservoir volume may reduce brake effectiveness, increasing the risk of crash. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

19V136000

Date: 2019-02-27. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR.

Defect: 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."

Consequence: Unknowingly operating a truck with an ABS malfunction may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ABS module, free of charge. The recall began April 26, 2019. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. The DTNA number for this recall is FL-810.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

5 investigations; 1 open.

EA25006

Opened: 2025-10-23. Closed: Not listed.

Automatic Emergency Braking Errors

On May 26, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE23010) to assess reports of false positive activation of the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system in model year (MY) 2017-2022 Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) vehicles. The reports alleged that activation of the AEB system occurred while driving with no apparent obstruction in the vehicle's forwar

Systems: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

PE23010

Opened: 2023-05-26. Closed: 2025-10-23.

Automatic Emergency Braking Errors

On May 26, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE23010) to assess reports of false positive activation of the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system in model year (MY) 2017-2022 Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) vehicles. The reports alleged that activation of the AEB system occurred while driving with no apparent obstruction in the vehicle's forwar

Systems: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

PE21006

Opened: 2021-02-25. Closed: 2021-07-16.

Halogen Headlights May Cause Fires

In its process for evaluating Early Warning Reporting data, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) found twenty-four (24) field reports involving headlight fires on Freightliner Cascadia trucks, model years 2017 and newer produced by the vehicle manufacturer, Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA). ODI contacted DTNA and learned that it was aware of halogen bulb-related thermal events. DTNA stated

Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.

Linked campaign numbers: 21V357000.

PE21004

Opened: 2021-02-25. Closed: 2025-01-14.

Engine Electrical Wiring Harness Chafe

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation to investigate reports of engine electrical wiring harness chafe on the subject vehicles.ODI analysis found thousands of unique harness part numbers, spanning the two generations of vehicle chassis assembled at multiple vehicle assembly plants in two different countries, with multiple sub-models, incorporating over thirty

Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

RQ20001

Opened: 2020-08-31. Closed: 2025-06-26.

SAM Cab Water Intrusion

On August 31, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a recall query, RQ20001, to investigate the allegations of water intrusion into the truck cab signal-detect and activation module (SAM cab).The investigation further evaluated the effectiveness of the original recall remedy, and the installation of an updated drip shield as it relates to continual water intrusion resulting in the

Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

Manufacturer communications

1,044 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
EQUIPMENT352
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM208
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING196
POWER TRAIN115
ENGINE78
STRUCTURE45
VISIBILITY42
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY36

11028061

Date: 2026-01-15. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Technical Service Bulletin for Cascadia Generations

11027500

Date: 2025-12-11. Type: Other. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Fleet Communications for NFD Lower Oil Plug Location - SP Axles

11027503

Date: 2025-12-11. Type: Other. Systems: STEERING.

Fleet Communications for Power Steering Resevoir - NTF Replacements

11026453

Date: 2025-11-20. Type: Other. Systems: ENGINE.

Fleet Communications for Power Steering Reservoir Fill Cap Venting

11024972

Date: 2025-10-23. Type: Other. Systems: VISIBILITY/WIPER.

Service Solution for P4 Main Mirror Arm Covers Loose - Falling Off

11022338

Date: 2025-08-21. Type: Other. Systems: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE.

CX Advocate for KY AEB Notice

11022314

Date: 2025-08-08. Type: Other. Systems: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE.

Customer letter for Detroit Assurance Kentucky Interstate 71 Road Hazard

11021242

Date: 2025-07-28. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: WHEELS.

Revised Technical Service Bulletin for Hub Oil Level in Final Drive (NFD) Top Performance Axles on Decked Vehicles

11017555

Date: 2025-04-30. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Service Solution for DT12 Oil Plug Ports

11016328

Date: 2025-03-26. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Technical Service Bulletin for Load Dump Switch Inspection and Installation on Dometic Refrigerators

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
CASCADIA11

Same model, other years

All model years | All Freightliner models

Other Freightliner models, 2018

Sources

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