Owners have filed 18 complaints
about the 2023 Freightliner Cascadia with NHTSA between 2023 and 2026.
The largest single group is the driver assist & collision avoidance.
Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 15 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 36
Against the median year of the Freightliner Cascadia. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
44.4% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
How 2023 compares with every other Freightliner Cascadia
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2023 Freightliner Cascadia
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance
633.3%
Electrical System
316.7%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Transmission & Drivetrain
211.1%
Engine & Cooling
211.1%
0 crashes, 2 fires
Other & Unspecified
15.6%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Acceleration & Cruise Control
15.6%
Body & Structure
15.6%
Brakes
15.6%
Steering
15.6%
1 crashes, 0 fires
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Apr 2023peak 3Mar 2026
Recalls on the 2023 Freightliner Cascadia
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 20242103,306 units in Canada
Wheels
Problem: On certain trucks, the inner flange of the steer axle wheels may crack. As a result, a piece of the flange could separate from the wheel. Note: This special warranty program only affects ULA18xxx wheels with a size of 22.5" x 8.25". UPDATE - When Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) notified Transport Canada about this problem, they believed that it may cause a rapid air loss of a tire. After further investigation, DTNA has determined that this problem would not result in a rapid air loss. Accordingly, this safety recall was withdrawn. Safety Risk: This problem does not pose a safety risk. Corrective Actions: This is not a recall and will be addressed under a special warranty program offered by Alcoa, the wheel supplier. This notice is for information only and is not being conducted under the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. If you notice any cracks on the inner flange of the steer axle wheels, you should contact Alcoa at 1-800-242-9898.
Recall 202320649 units in Canada
Steering
Issue: On certain trucks, the cotter pin may be missing from the tie rod castle nut on the front steer axle. As a result, the nut could loosen. If this happens, the tie rod could detach from the steering arm and cause a loss of steering control. Safety Risk: A loss of steering control could create the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) will notify owners by mail. The corrective actions for this recall are under development.
Recall 2023060396 units in Canada
Lights And Instruments
Issue: On certain trucks, the tail lamps do not turn on when the daytime running lamps (DRLs) are on. Canadian regulations require that, if a vehicle has dash backlighting, the low beam headlamps and tail lamps must automatically switch on when it is dark or the tail lamps must stay on at all times. Safety Risk: Driving without tail lamps in low light conditions could make the truck less visible and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your truck to a DTNA authorized service facility to update the parameters for the lighting system. For Western Star 4700 ZODIAC models, the service facility will replace or modify the wiring harness.
Recall 202305120,527 units in Canada
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 system activates. If this happens, there could be a brake pull that can cause the truck to change direction. Note: This problem does not affect the service brakes. Safety Risk: A brake pull that causes the vehicle to change direction suddenly can increase the risk of crash. Corrective Actions: Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your truck to a DTNA authorized service facility to inspect, and if necessary, replace the brake modulator valves.
Recall 20226267,140 units in Canada
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 braking event. If this happens, there could be a brake pull that can cause the truck to change direction. Note: This problem does not affect the regular service brakes. Safety Risk: A brake pull that causes the vehicle to change direction suddenly can increase the risk of crash. Corrective Actions: Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your truck to a DTNA authorized service facility to inspect, and if necessary, replace the brake modulator valves.
Recall 202241399 units in Canada
Engine
Issue: On certain trucks, a problem in the engine control module (ECM) could cause a short circuit. If this happens, the engine could stall and you may not be able to restart it. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Cummins will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your truck to a Cummins authorized service center to replace the engine control module.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Charlotte, NC1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
while driving a UPS Freightliner truck (Cascadia Vin number [XXX] ) on [XXX] on [XXX] in Charlotte, North Carolina, the tractor brakes locked down causing [XXX] 's arm to jam into shoulder from having all momentum come to abrupt stop causing seatbelt to yank across shoulder ultimately necessitating surgery and putting me out of work for 6 months+ and ongoing INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11722434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Holgate, OHFire
FIRERELATED
See attached document for complaint.
NHTSA complaint #11646655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Troy, MOFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
See attached document for complaint
NHTSA complaint #11640831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Troy, MOFire
FIRERELATED
See attached document for complaint
NHTSA complaint #11640831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Gibson, MSCrash1 injured
STEERING
The contact owns a 2023 Freightliner Cascadia. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the steering wheel locked up, the vehicle became uncontrollable, and the vehicle flipped over. The vehicle was uncontrollable. All the warning lights illuminated. A police report was filed. The contact received injuries to her back and was taken by ambulance to a hospital, where medical attention was provided. The airbags deployed. There was an unknown substance leaking from the vehicle. There was no reported fire. The vehicle was towed to an unknown location. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11626573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Gibson, MSCrash1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
The contact owns a 2023 Freightliner Cascadia. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the steering wheel locked up, the vehicle became uncontrollable, and the vehicle flipped over. The vehicle was uncontrollable. All the warning lights illuminated. A police report was filed. The contact received injuries to her back and was taken by ambulance to a hospital, where medical attention was provided. The airbags deployed. There was an unknown substance leaking from the vehicle. There was no reported fire. The vehicle was towed to an unknown location. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11626573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Charlotte, NC1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
while driving a UPS Freightliner truck (Cascadia Vin number [XXX] ) on [XXX] on [XXX] in Charlotte, North Carolina, the tractor brakes locked down causing [XXX] 's arm to jam into shoulder from having all momentum come to abrupt stop causing seatbelt to yank across shoulder ultimately necessitating surgery and putting me out of work for 6 months+ and ongoing INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11722434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The front sensor is calibrated wrong. It slams my brakes on road if a shadow is in road, bridges, vehicles parked on side of road, and sometimes if another semi passes me it slams the breaks on. It happens if its just raining out not so much winter because snow and ice blocks the sensor. This has also almost caused accidents as well.
NHTSA complaint #11722541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Darien, IL
POWER TRAIN
See attached document for complaint
NHTSA complaint #11678206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Darien, IL
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
See attached document for complaint
NHTSA complaint #11678206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Little Rock, AR
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
I was north of Louisville Kentucky on [XXX] traveling at 65 mph and I was in the middle lane and the collision lights came on and the truck abruptly started stopping. Luckily no one was on my right side. I made it to the shoulder of the road. Thank God I wasn’t rear ended by anyone and there were three lanes of traffic. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11666845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Malfunction check engine lights on and show faults 520349. 14
NHTSA complaint #11658652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Holgate, OHFire
FIRERELATED
See attached document for complaint.
NHTSA complaint #11646655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Troy, MOFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
See attached document for complaint
NHTSA complaint #11640831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Troy, MOFire
FIRERELATED
See attached document for complaint
NHTSA complaint #11640831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Gibson, MSCrash1 injured
STEERING
The contact owns a 2023 Freightliner Cascadia. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the steering wheel locked up, the vehicle became uncontrollable, and the vehicle flipped over. The vehicle was uncontrollable. All the warning lights illuminated. A police report was filed. The contact received injuries to her back and was taken by ambulance to a hospital, where medical attention was provided. The airbags deployed. There was an unknown substance leaking from the vehicle. There was no reported fire. The vehicle was towed to an unknown location. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11626573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Gibson, MSCrash1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
The contact owns a 2023 Freightliner Cascadia. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the steering wheel locked up, the vehicle became uncontrollable, and the vehicle flipped over. The vehicle was uncontrollable. All the warning lights illuminated. A police report was filed. The contact received injuries to her back and was taken by ambulance to a hospital, where medical attention was provided. The airbags deployed. There was an unknown substance leaking from the vehicle. There was no reported fire. The vehicle was towed to an unknown location. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11626573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
South Ozone Park, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY
The vehicle does not have the hood rear view convex mirrors.. The hood mirrors are use for rear to side view blind spot that the passenger or driver side mirrors cannot see. For instance entering or crossing a two way divided highway with no traffic lights, the hood mirrors is use to view when entering without on coming vehicle in a blind spot brushing past your engine compartment or passenger side. Also needed for parking towards the blind spot passenger side or docking without a spotter. I noticed there a group of such Freightliner missing the two hood rear view mirrors
NHTSA complaint #11558460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rio Rancho, NM
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Dash light warning lights come on and causes the cruise control to stop working. A total of 6 fault lights comes on and also causes the Adaptive Cruise Control to not work. This is the 3rd Freightliner Cascadia that I have driven in the past 3 and a half years and every single truck has had the same problem. Freightliner has refused to acknowledge that there is a problem. Nobody seems to know what to do to correct the problem. We are owner operators and long haul drivers and needcruise control. Freightliner dealers are almost impossible to get anything repaired because they do not accept appointments and they have so many trucks sitting around waiting for repairs.
NHTSA complaint #11535215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rio Rancho, NM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Dash light warning lights come on and causes the cruise control to stop working. A total of 6 fault lights comes on and also causes the Adaptive Cruise Control to not work. This is the 3rd Freightliner Cascadia that I have driven in the past 3 and a half years and every single truck has had the same problem. Freightliner has refused to acknowledge that there is a problem. Nobody seems to know what to do to correct the problem. We are owner operators and long haul drivers and needcruise control. Freightliner dealers are almost impossible to get anything repaired because they do not accept appointments and they have so many trucks sitting around waiting for repairs.
NHTSA complaint #11535215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rio Rancho, NM
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Dash light warning lights come on and causes the cruise control to stop working. A total of 6 fault lights comes on and also causes the Adaptive Cruise Control to not work. This is the 3rd Freightliner Cascadia that I have driven in the past 3 and a half years and every single truck has had the same problem. Freightliner has refused to acknowledge that there is a problem. Nobody seems to know what to do to correct the problem. We are owner operators and long haul drivers and needcruise control. Freightliner dealers are almost impossible to get anything repaired because they do not accept appointments and they have so many trucks sitting around waiting for repairs.
NHTSA complaint #11535215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While operating the vehicle on an open section of highway I passed under an overpass. The collision mitigation system sounded an audible warning and the vehicle abruptly applied momentary maximum braking. Had another vehicle been behind me It likely would have resulted in a rear end collision.
NHTSA complaint #11524587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Claremont, NC
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
The CMV was on a straight road on a sunny day approaching a standard railroad crossing, and for no apparent reason the emergency braking system engaged. We have video of this incident from the truck. I tried to download it but your system would not allow the format.
NHTSA complaint #11516552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The CMV was on a straight road on a sunny day approaching a standard railroad crossing, and for no apparent reason the emergency braking system engaged. We have video of this incident from the truck. I tried to download it but your system would not allow the format.
NHTSA complaint #11516552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.