2021 Freightliner Cascadia recalls and problems
The 2021 Freightliner Cascadia has 21 safety recalls and 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Freightliner dealer.
Recalls may cover only some 2021 Freightliner Cascadia vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.
2021 Freightliner Cascadia recalls
Recall 26V-583: Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Service Brakes, Air
Problem: 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).
Risk: Brakes that pull to one side may cause a sudden change in vehicle direction, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Recall 23V-299: Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Problem: 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."
Risk: Understeering during a J-turn may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Recall 23V-208: Exterior Lighting
Problem: 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."
Risk: Hazard warning lights that flash improperly may cause confusion for other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Recall 23V-073: Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Service Brakes, Air
Problem: 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).
Risk: Brakes that pull to one side may cause a sudden change in vehicle direction, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Recall 22V-919: Tires, Wheels
Problem: 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."
Risk: Driving with tires that are not compatible with their rims can reduce tire performance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Recall 22V-817: Service Brakes, Air, Forward Collision Avoidance
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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 vehicles previously repaired under recall 20V-390 will need to have the new remedy performed.
Recall 20V-567: Exterior Lighting
Problem: 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.
Risk: If the brake lights remain illuminated, drivers may be unaware when the truck is actually slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Recall 21V-965: Fuel System, Diesel
Problem: 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.
Risk: A high pressure fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Recall 21V-689: Steering
Problem: 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.
Risk: Drag link separation can cause a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Recall 21V-481: Electrical System
Problem: 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.
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Recall 21V-369: Steering
Problem: 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.
Risk: Detached or broken tie rod ends can result in steering loss, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the tie rod clamp bolts and nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-888.
Recall 21V-357: Exterior Lighting
Problem: 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.
Risk: Melting components can increase the risk of fire.
Fix: 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.
Recall 21V-256: Steering
Problem: 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.
Risk: A fractured bolt may cause a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the tie rod arm and steering arm bolts, free of charge. The recall began on June 10, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-884.
Recall 21V-209: Power Train
Problem: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2021 Freightliner Cascadia and Western Star 4700 vehicles. The clutch flange may break.
Risk: If flange failure occurs, loose parts may fall into the clutch pressure plate assembly, resulting in clutch disengagement, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clutch on the affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on May 7, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-881.
Recall 21V-073: Engine
Problem: 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.
Risk: A detached flywheel can cause loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, driveline pieces may be ejected from the engine compartment, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: DTNA will work with the engine manufacturer Cummins Inc. to notify owners, and Cummins dealers will properly torque the capscrews and inspect for possible damage and, if necessary, repair any damage found, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 12, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-875.
Older recalls
| Recall | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21V-018 | Jan 20, 2021 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 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… |
| 21V-007 | Jan 13, 2021 | Tires | 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. |
| 20V-742 | Nov 30, 2020 | Power Train | Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2021 Freightliner Cascadia vehicles. |
| 20V-660 | Oct 27, 2020 | Suspension | 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. |
| 20V-390 | Jul 2, 2020 | Service Brakes, Air | Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Freightliner Cascadia tractor trailers. |
| 20V-214 | Apr 14, 2020 | Exterior Lighting | 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… |
2021 Freightliner Cascadia problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|---|---|
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 8 | |
| Tires | 6 | |
| Service Brakes | 3 | |
| Visibility | 2 | |
| Suspension | 2 | |
| Steering | 2 | |
| Electrical System | 2 | |
| Structure | 1 | |
| Engine | 1 | |
| Unknown or Other | 1 |
Most reported parts
- Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 4
- Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings — 2
- Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control — 2
- Structure › Body — 1
- Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior — 1
- Tires › Tread/Belt — 1
- Electrical System › Instrument Panel › Speedometer/Odometer — 1
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 326,168 miles (median of owner reports).
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2021 Freightliner Cascadia complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Other Freightliner Cascadia years
Compare all Freightliner Cascadia years · All Freightliner models
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2021 Freightliner Cascadia have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 21 recalls for the 2021 Freightliner Cascadia: 26V-583 (electronic stability control (esc), service brakes, air), 23V-299 (electronic stability control (esc)), 23V-208 (exterior lighting), 23V-073 (electronic stability control (esc), service brakes, air), 22V-919 (tires, wheels) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Freightliner Cascadia?
Owners report forward collision avoidance problems most often (8 reports), followed by tires (6). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 326,168 miles.
Are Freightliner recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Freightliner dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.