54 of the
400 complaints filed about the Freightliner Cascadia
are about the electrical system —
14% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2012.
On May 24, 2026, while driving home from the Ocotillo Wells OHV Recreation Area toward San Diego, California, a drive of roughly 90 miles, a dashboard warning reading "Stability Controls Not Working" illuminated on [XXX] near Warner Springs in San Diego County. The vehicle is a 2026 Freightliner Cascadia chassis carrying a Renegade Classic 43CMD Super C motorhome body. The vehicle was approximately six weeks old with about 3,100 miles. I stopped the vehicle and attempted to clear the fault by cycling the chassis power; the warning did not clear. I completed the drive home with a passenger aboard, aware that the stability control system was reporting itself inoperative. On XXX I delivered the vehicle to Velocity Truck Centers, an authorized Freightliner service center in San Diego, California, recorded at 3,189 miles under service invoice XXX and warranty claim XXX. The technician recorded the cause as "ABS ECU SHORTED." His written correction states that he verified the ESC light was on, ran end-of-line code 1810/2 which did not clear the fault, confirmed the ESC module was mounted level and tight, unplugged the connector and drag tested all four pins and found them good, and concluded that the ESC module was shorted out. He removed the old module and installed a new one, which required calibration on a road test; the unit passed the road test. The replacement part is listed as ECU-ESC6, part number 446 065 095 0. An internally shorted electronic stability control module on a six-week-old vehicle with roughly 3,100 miles, on a motorhome of this size and weight carrying occupants at highway speed, is a safety concern. I am filing this complaint so the failure is documented for safety-trend and potential recall analysis. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11757569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On August 1st, I was travelling on I-44 (a toll road with an 80 mph speed) near Claremont Oklahoma. I was doing 68 mph when a red warning message came up on my dash. It read...KINGPIN RELEASE ACTIVATED. STOP IMMEDIATELY! KINGPIN RELEASED WITHOUT REQUEST. I did not touch my brakes. I gently moved to the the shoulder and coasted to a stop...so as not to put any pressure on the kingpin or fifth-wheel and hoping the weight of the trailer would hold it in place til I could stop. I checked under my truck and the lock was perfectly across the jaws. It did NOT turn loose, thankfully. Our road breakdown dept and Tulsa Freightliner could not say what the problem was. Freightliner replaced the kingpin release button on the dash and hoped that was the fix. The service manager told me if it happened again, they would have to keep the truck at least a week and Dahmler would be opening a file on the problem. I know that means they don't know what happened.
NHTSA complaint #11679210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have experienced this issue a few times, and so have several acquaintances who drive the same make and model of truck as I do. Whenever it rains or I go through a truck wash, the starter shifter blocked comes on the screen while driving, causing the RPMs to fluctuate and resulting in a complete loss of power to the vehicle. One dealership informed me that this is a common problem, attributed to moisture seeping into a harness located near the transmission. Tried connecting the truck to a computer so see fault codes nothing comes up because it's a glitch and clears out. This situation poses a serious risk, as it could potentially lead to a fatal accident. With no proof of the malfunction.
NHTSA complaint #11645885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
It is hard to impossible to drive the truck in a straight line (compared to models without the smartvalves), and often drifts side to side randomly without any warning or feedback. The steering requires constant input, and the "feel" of the truck is not correct to allow intuitive steering. When driving in tight areas, I find that I need to stay at least a foot away from barriers or other objects to not be in danger of hitting them. When in width-limited areas, like construction zones, I often need to straddle the center line and block other vehicles from passing me, so as not to be in danger of collision. These controllability problems are induced by the "active" smartvalve system. This is the chassis leveling system that adjusts air to the suspension air springs (air bags). The smart valve system is there to allow a driver to adjust the suspension up or down as needed to assist in hooking in improperly positioned trailer (to prevent injuries). The system also actively interferes with what would be the normal operation of a suspension "leveling" valve, and adjusts and or blocks the normal flow of air in and out of the suspension when driving. This results in poor handling and control problems. I have asked to have the valve replaced with a normal "dumb" valve on my truck, since I have found that the trucks handle normally with a standard leveling valve. I have also found that in many curvy road situations, the truck is hard to keep from running off the road, even bobtail. There is severe apparent understeer, and it seems likely to be attributed to the smartvalve leveler interfering with the suspension. I see that there is a recall on Freightliners having to do with understeer problems on curves (Recall 234245 [USA]: Understeering during a j-turn may increase the risk of a crash.). The recall says that Freightliner will replace the tires; it is likely that this will not help in the case of models with an active "smartvalve" system.
NHTSA complaint #11633144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ABS system is shutting causing all safety systems to shut down including cruise control. Freightliner is overlaying the harness for abs sensors at the owners expense. There should be a recall for them to fix this issue. They are very aware of what's going on and are doing nothing to fix the issue.
NHTSA complaint #11631506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
Hello I am reaching out to you today to discuss a common issue with 2015 Freightliner cascadia the acu harness is located on the frame of the chassis and is grounding out wires to the mcm causing the truck to shut off in the middle of the road, highway or interstate, when the issue starts it doesn’t give you time to get off the highway to a safe place. I have personally reached out to several dealers and they are aware of this common issue spn 1231 fmi 9. Also I have called Freightliner about this issue and they are aware but haven’t yet taking action. I wouldn’t be writing you this if I didn’t experience this for a second time in a row, just yesterday I was towed off the interstate the Middle of an interstate. I will leave my contact information just incase you need more details thank you for your time. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11565071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When driving, there is a constant and very strong vibration throughout the entirety of the truck. This makes it difficult to steer and drive in a safe manner. I've replaced any parts that might be associated with this malfunction with brand new parts at the advice of professional mechanics (cost over $30,000) and it was to no avail. The truck is still malfunctioning and I have been left unable to work or barely working for 14 months. The vibration has caused many health concerns, like headaches, nausea, and stomach ulcers. I went to over 10 dealers and there has been no solutions that have worked.
NHTSA complaint #11561665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
The computer system that logs and keeps track of hours is not working properly. The wires are I guess are messed up. Is that dangerous? My hubby works at the Walmart dc and he said a girl slipped and got a bad spinal injury from the flooring not being non-skid.
NHTSA complaint #11521957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This Truck that I'm buying from USCryo Carriers that is a Freightliner has been in the shop numerous times for electrical issues and lighting issues and body and tires problems and they have yet to fix them and get them properly repaired and the Truck is shocking me while driving and whenever laying in the bunkso much it hurts and causes headaches I pay insurance and for the truck, but my company is steady making me pay all repairs even though I have insurance
NHTSA complaint #11504208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Freightliner Cascadia. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the low tire pressure alarm sounded at 120 PSI. The contact stated that there was an abnormal buzzing sound detected. The contact stated that the air pressure alert should engage at 60 PSI. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 400,000.
NHTSA complaint #11498496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Truck was parked for about 5-6 hours on yard and randomly catching fire and burns up , see similar year make and model had similar things happen and was recalled my truck was manufactured in the time period of the other recalls but I didn’t get a letter please advise
NHTSA complaint #11435244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I AM A FIRE INVESTIGATOR WITH ONONDAGA COUNTY FIRE INVESTIGATION UNIT. RECENTLY I HAD TWO FIRES WITH SIMILAR VEHICLES BOTH WERE 2016 FREIGHTLINERS CASCADIA 125 BOTH WERE PARKED AND NOT RUNNING AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE EVENTS. BOTH ORIGIN AND CAUSE INVESTIGATIONS APPEARED TO REVEAL A FAILURE/MALFUNCTION AT THE WHAT HAS BEEN DESCRIBED TO ME AS BEING THE POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULAR (PDM). BOTH RESULTED IN THE VEHICLES BEING DESTROYED BY FIRE.*DT*JB*JB*JB*JB
NHTSA complaint #11390543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I AM A FIRE INVESTIGATOR WITH ONONDAGA COUNTY NY RECENTLY I HAD TWO SEPARATE FIRES IN SIMILAR VEHICLES (SEE NHTSA COMPLIANT # 11390543) BOTH ORIGIN AND CAUSE INVESTIGATIONS REVEALED A MALFUNCTION/FAILURE IN WHAT HAS BEEN DESCRIBED TO ME AS A POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULAR (PDM) BOTH VEHICLES WERE TOTALLY DESTROYED BY THE RESULTING FIRE. BOTH VEHICLES WERE PARKED AND NOT RUNNING AT THE TIME OF EVENT.*DT*JB*JB*JB*JB CONSUMER BELIEVES THE MELTING SNOW WHICH ENTERED THE ELECTRIC COMPONENTS WAS CONTRIBUTING FACTOR THAT CAUSED THE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #11390547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
IGNITION SWITCH TURN SIGNAL HEATER BLOWER BRAKE LIGHTS TURNED SIGNALS ALL STOP WORKING AT THE SAME TIME. I'VE BEEN TOLD IT'S THE SAM CAB MODULAR ELECTRICAL WENT BAD. SHOULD I SAY A VERY BAD DESIGN😒 I'M HOPING IT'S A RECALL ON THIS PART. I MUST ADD EVERYTHING STOPPED WORKING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION
NHTSA complaint #11383898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2015 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA. CONSTITUENT STATED THAT THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL ISSUES WITH TRUCK, SPECIFICALLY AN ONGOING ELECTRICAL ISSUE BASED UPON A LEAK GETTING INTO VEHICLE DAMAGING ELECTRICAL LINES. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED FUEL LEAKS FROM THE TOP OF BOTH TANKS, ISSUES WITH E-COAST SYSTEM, REFRIGERATOR RATTLES, UTILITY REAR LIGHT ISSUES, TRANSMISSION LOW AIR ISSUES, COOLANT RESERVOIR, FUEL GAUGE, OIL LEAKING, BRAKING ISSUES, CLIMATE CONTROL ISSUES, FRONT GRILL, CIGARETTE LIGHTER ISSUES, AND HOOD SUPPORT ISSUES.
NHTSA complaint #11373290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HAD SAME ISSUES ON 2018-2020 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIAS (7 DIFFERENT UNITS), CHASSIS HARNESS RUBBING AGAINST TRANSMISSION AND THE METAL BRACKET BY THE AIR COMPRESSOR. ACTIVE FAULT CODES FOR COOLANT LEVEL , TCS, TRANSMISSION ECU - DRIVERS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE ON AUTOMATIC MODE/ ONLY MANUAL MODE AVAILABLE. ONE TIME THE DRIVER WAS NOT EVEN ABLE TO START THE TRUCK IN THE MORNING, HAD TO GET THE UNIT TOWED TO THE DEALER AND HAVE THE HARNESS REPAIRED. ALL OF THE FAULTS PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED COULD HAPPEN IN MOTION AND/OR WHEN VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.
NHTSA complaint #11366557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.