The Used Car Index

2021 Freightliner Cascadia problems

NHTSA lists 16 complaints for the 2021 Freightliner Cascadia, 1 of them mention a crash and 0 mention a fire. 1 complaints mention an injury, with 7 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA.

At a glance

Complaints
16
With crash
1
With fire
0
With injury (complaints)
1
Injuries
7
Deaths
0
Recalls
21
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
219,390
Investigations
4
Open investigations
1
Manufacturer communications
509

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
TIRES637.5%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE531.3%
SERVICE BRAKES318.8%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM212.5%
STEERING212.5%
SUSPENSION212.5%
ENGINE16.3%
STRUCTURE16.3%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER16.3%
VISIBILITY16.3%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEAUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING4
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL2
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEWARNINGS2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMINSTRUMENT PANEL1
STRUCTUREBODY1
TIRESTREAD/BELT1
VISIBILITYREARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES1

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
mechanical failure850.0%0.86
loss of control425.0%0.54
electrical electronic16.3%1.00
noise or comfort16.3%0.48
unclear16.3%0.96
visibility or lighting16.3%1.00
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate1381.3%0.83
high212.5%0.86
none16.3%0.73

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 16 tagged complaints of 16 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

See new recalls and investigations this week.

21 recalls. Showing the latest 10 of 21.

26V583000

Date: 2026-09-09. Systems: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), SERVICE BRAKES, AIR.

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).

Consequence: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

23V299000

Date: 2023-04-26. Systems: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC).

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 th (excerpt)

Consequence: Understeering during a J-turn may increase the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

23V208000

Date: 2023-03-28. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.

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."

Consequence: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

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.

22V919000

Date: 2022-12-12. Systems: TIRES, WHEELS.

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 requireme (excerpt)

Consequence: Driving with tires that are not compatible with their rims can reduce tire performance, increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

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.

21V965000

Date: 2021-12-13. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL.

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 (excerpt)

Consequence: A high pressure fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

21V689000

Date: 2021-09-02. Systems: STEERING.

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.

Consequence: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

21V481000

Date: 2021-06-25. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

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.

Consequence: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

4 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.

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

509 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM116
EQUIPMENT104
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING82
POWER TRAIN78
ENGINE49
VISIBILITY34
LANE DEPARTURE20
STEERING19

11035536

Date: 2026-07-21. Type: Other. Systems: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE.

Truck Equipment Manufacturer upfit guide for Detroit Assurance Forward Radar Relocation and Adjustment

11035527

Date: 2026-07-08. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Revised Technical Service Bulletin for ABS Wheel Speed Fault Code Correction for MBSP Equipped Vehicles. Updated frequently asked questions.

11034519

Date: 2026-06-18. Type: Other. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.

CX Advocate for Utility Lamp water intrusion

11033103

Date: 2026-05-08. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Revised Technical Service Bulletin for DT12 OVX Transmission Refresh

11031981

Date: 2026-04-16. Type: Other. Systems: LANE DEPARTURE.

CX Advocate for P4 Side Guard Assist On/Off Menus and Trailer Functionality (TSB-54-381-FTL)

11031971

Date: 2026-04-15. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Revised Field Service campaign for Cascadia Axle Conversion: Adaptive Tandem (AT) 6x4 to New Final Drive (NFD)

11031972

Date: 2026-04-15. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Revised Field Service campaign for Cascadia Axle Conversion: Adaptive Tandem (AT) 6x4 to New Final Drive (NFD)

11031973

Date: 2026-04-15. Type: Other. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Important Campaign Information for SF706 - Revised, Reactivated

11031966

Date: 2026-04-09. Type: Other. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Fleet Communications for solenoid issues

11030500

Date: 2026-03-19. Type: Other. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES.

CX Advocate for 1810/02 ABS longitudinal acceleration fault (TSB-54-104-WST,TSB-54-379-FTL)

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
CASCADIA16

Same model, other years

All model years | All Freightliner models

Other Freightliner models, 2021

Sources

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