2011 Freightliner Cascadia Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2011 Freightliner Cascadia, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical522.7%
- Fuel system418.2%
- Brakes29.1%
- Exterior lighting29.1%
- Powertrain (other)29.1%
- Engine29.1%
- Transmission14.5%
- Driver assistance14.5%
- Interior & seats14.5%
- Steering14.5%
- Body & structure14.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON 5-24-19, I WAS TRAVELING WEST ON HWY 56, 4 MILES EAST OF HERINGTON KS. SUDDENLY WITHOUT NOTICE, MY ENGINE SHUT OFF, I WAS LEFT WITH A DEAD TRUCK, TRAVELING AT 62 MPH, AND MY TANKER WAS FULLY LOADED, I COULD NOT HOLD THE TRUCK ON THE ROAD, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE CAUGHT THE SOFT EDGE OF THE ROAD, AND I WAS PULLED INTO THE DITCH, MY SEMI ROLLED AND I WAS PINNED INSIDE THE CAB, EMS PERSONAL WORKED FOR OVER 90 MINUTES TO FREE ME FROM THE WRECKAGE. IM VERY LUCKY TO BE ALIVE, RECOVERY WILL TAKE MONTHS. I WANT TO SEE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS PROBLEM, THIS MODEL HAS MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, BUT WHEN YOU LOOSE EVERYTHING, YOU CRASH. IF YOU ARE DRIVING A FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA I'M PRAYING FOR YOU, I HOPE THIS PROBLEM CAN BE FOUND, AND FIXED, GOING THROUGH WHAT I WENT THROUGH IS HORRIBLE. WHEN THE TOTAL LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED, MY DIGITAL VOLTAGE GAUGE WENT FROM 14.1 VOLTS TO 4.7 VOLTS
TRAILER LIGHT NOT WORKING DAMAGED SAM CHASSIS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT DROVE A 2011 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR WORK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DIESEL ENHANCEMENT FLUID LEVEL COMPONENT FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY, INCLUDING THE SENSOR/WARNING INDICATOR. IN ADDITION, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO FUNCTION AND THE EQUIPMENT WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT AT A TRUCK STOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
WHEN OUR VEHICLE IS OPERATING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE VEHICLE LOSES ALL POWER AS IF YOU HAD TURNED OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON. THIS LASTS FOR A FEW SECONDS WHERE TOTAL CONTROL TO THE VEHICLE IS LOST BEFORE IT RESUMES NORMAL WORKING CONDITIONS. WE HAVE SPOKEN TO THE LOCAL FREIGHTLINER DEALER WHO HAS ADVISED US THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE UNITS, HOWEVER, THEY ARE UNAWARE OF WHAT CAUSES THIS ISSUE AND ARE UNABLE TO FIX IT. WE DO NOT CURRENTLY HAVE ANY REPAIR ITEMS TO INCLUDE WITH THIS AS THE DEALER HAS NOT CHARGED US FOR ANY WORK DUE TO THEIR INABILITY TO REPAIR IT. THIS PUTS ANY DRIVER IN A COMPROMISED POSITION AS THEY ARE UNABLE TO CONTROL THEIR TRUCK DURING THESE PERIODS OF COMPLETE POWER OUTAGE. THE POWER OUTAGE ON THE UNIT HAS HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WITH THIS UNIT WITH NO REMEDY PROVIDED FROM THE DEALER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS VEHICLE IT'S HAVING POWER TRAIN PROBLEMS CAUSING THE VEHICLE BEEN HARD TO CONTROL ON THE ROAD PLUS ITS BRAKING WRONG AT TIMES. SOME TIMES IT BRAKE WELL, MOST OF THE TIMES IT DON'T BRAKE. ONGUARD SYSTEM TOO INTRUSIVE MAKING VERY HARD BRAKING IN FALSE ( BRIDGE DETECTED AS STOPED OBJET, ONGUARD IT FULL ALIGNED. TRANSMISSION IT'S NOT SMOOTH AT BACKING OR PULLING SLOWLY. MORE THAN 70,000 DOLLARS INVESTED IN REPAIRS IN A TIME OF 2.5 YEARS AND THE PROBLEMS PERSIST. FREIGHTLINER DEALERS SEEMS CARELESS ABOUT IT AND STATED IT'S NOT FAULT ON IT. AND LAST TIME THEY SAID IT'S A TIRE RELATED PROBLEM BUT THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT AND THEY NOT ABLE TO FIX.
1. AT FIRST, I FELT THE VEHICLE HESITATE WHEN I UP-SHIFT. I GOT INTO THE HIGHWAY AND THE ENGINE STARTED TO MISS GRADUALLY AND GETTING WORSE. I PULLED INTO A FREIGHT-LINER AND THE SAY THAT FUEL LINE IS CONTAMINATED BECAUSE THE FUEL PUMP BROKE INSIDE. THEY SAID THEY HAVE TO FLUSH OUT THE LINES AND REPLACE THE FILTER, INJECTORS, FUEL PUMP AND HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINES. I JUST BOUGHT A FULL TANK OF DIESEL BEFORE THE INCIDENT. ALL THE FUEL WILL BE DUMPED AND FUEL TANKS WILL BE CLEANED. I HAVE THE ESTIMATED REPAIR TO COST OVER $10,000 DOLLARS. I CALLED DAIMLER CORPORATE OFFICE TO SEE IF THEY COULD HELP ME TO COVER SOME OF THE BILLS THEY DECLINED WITH THE EXCUSE THAT THE TRUCK IS 38,000 MILES OVER THE WARRANTY AN ESTIMATE OF ABOUT 2 MONTHS.THIS PROBLEM IS NOT MY FAULT, IT IS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. 2. THE BOTTOM SCREW HOLDING THE FUEL RAIL LEAKS OIL. THEY SEALED THE OIL IN WITH SILICON AND I JUST CHANGED AIR COMPRESSOR FOR OIL LEAK. I HAVE JUST BOUGHT THE TRUCK 6 MONTHS AGO. THE TRUCK MAY HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT BEFORE. WHEN I STEP HARD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, I HEAR A LOUD METAL KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BRAKE CHAMBER. AND THAT AFFECT THE STEERING. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRAILER LIGHT NOT WORKING DAMAGED SAM CHASSIS
WHEN OUR VEHICLE IS OPERATING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE VEHICLE LOSES ALL POWER AS IF YOU HAD TURNED OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON. THIS LASTS FOR A FEW SECONDS WHERE TOTAL CONTROL TO THE VEHICLE IS LOST BEFORE IT RESUMES NORMAL WORKING CONDITIONS. WE HAVE SPOKEN TO THE LOCAL FREIGHTLINER DEALER WHO HAS ADVISED US THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE UNITS, HOWEVER, THEY ARE UNAWARE OF WHAT CAUSES THIS ISSUE AND ARE UNABLE TO FIX IT. WE DO NOT CURRENTLY HAVE ANY REPAIR ITEMS TO INCLUDE WITH THIS AS THE DEALER HAS NOT CHARGED US FOR ANY WORK DUE TO THEIR INABILITY TO REPAIR IT. THIS PUTS ANY DRIVER IN A COMPROMISED POSITION AS THEY ARE UNABLE TO CONTROL THEIR TRUCK DURING THESE PERIODS OF COMPLETE POWER OUTAGE. THE POWER OUTAGE ON THE UNIT HAS HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WITH THIS UNIT WITH NO REMEDY PROVIDED FROM THE DEALER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS VEHICLE IT'S HAVING POWER TRAIN PROBLEMS CAUSING THE VEHICLE BEEN HARD TO CONTROL ON THE ROAD PLUS ITS BRAKING WRONG AT TIMES. SOME TIMES IT BRAKE WELL, MOST OF THE TIMES IT DON'T BRAKE. ONGUARD SYSTEM TOO INTRUSIVE MAKING VERY HARD BRAKING IN FALSE ( BRIDGE DETECTED AS STOPED OBJET, ONGUARD IT FULL ALIGNED. TRANSMISSION IT'S NOT SMOOTH AT BACKING OR PULLING SLOWLY. MORE THAN 70,000 DOLLARS INVESTED IN REPAIRS IN A TIME OF 2.5 YEARS AND THE PROBLEMS PERSIST. FREIGHTLINER DEALERS SEEMS CARELESS ABOUT IT AND STATED IT'S NOT FAULT ON IT. AND LAST TIME THEY SAID IT'S A TIRE RELATED PROBLEM BUT THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT AND THEY NOT ABLE TO FIX.
1. AT FIRST, I FELT THE VEHICLE HESITATE WHEN I UP-SHIFT. I GOT INTO THE HIGHWAY AND THE ENGINE STARTED TO MISS GRADUALLY AND GETTING WORSE. I PULLED INTO A FREIGHT-LINER AND THE SAY THAT FUEL LINE IS CONTAMINATED BECAUSE THE FUEL PUMP BROKE INSIDE. THEY SAID THEY HAVE TO FLUSH OUT THE LINES AND REPLACE THE FILTER, INJECTORS, FUEL PUMP AND HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINES. I JUST BOUGHT A FULL TANK OF DIESEL BEFORE THE INCIDENT. ALL THE FUEL WILL BE DUMPED AND FUEL TANKS WILL BE CLEANED. I HAVE THE ESTIMATED REPAIR TO COST OVER $10,000 DOLLARS. I CALLED DAIMLER CORPORATE OFFICE TO SEE IF THEY COULD HELP ME TO COVER SOME OF THE BILLS THEY DECLINED WITH THE EXCUSE THAT THE TRUCK IS 38,000 MILES OVER THE WARRANTY AN ESTIMATE OF ABOUT 2 MONTHS.THIS PROBLEM IS NOT MY FAULT, IT IS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. 2. THE BOTTOM SCREW HOLDING THE FUEL RAIL LEAKS OIL. THEY SEALED THE OIL IN WITH SILICON AND I JUST CHANGED AIR COMPRESSOR FOR OIL LEAK. I HAVE JUST BOUGHT THE TRUCK 6 MONTHS AGO. THE TRUCK MAY HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT BEFORE. WHEN I STEP HARD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, I HEAR A LOUD METAL KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BRAKE CHAMBER. AND THAT AFFECT THE STEERING. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON 5-24-19, I WAS TRAVELING WEST ON HWY 56, 4 MILES EAST OF HERINGTON KS. SUDDENLY WITHOUT NOTICE, MY ENGINE SHUT OFF, I WAS LEFT WITH A DEAD TRUCK, TRAVELING AT 62 MPH, AND MY TANKER WAS FULLY LOADED, I COULD NOT HOLD THE TRUCK ON THE ROAD, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE CAUGHT THE SOFT EDGE OF THE ROAD, AND I WAS PULLED INTO THE DITCH, MY SEMI ROLLED AND I WAS PINNED INSIDE THE CAB, EMS PERSONAL WORKED FOR OVER 90 MINUTES TO FREE ME FROM THE WRECKAGE. IM VERY LUCKY TO BE ALIVE, RECOVERY WILL TAKE MONTHS. I WANT TO SEE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS PROBLEM, THIS MODEL HAS MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, BUT WHEN YOU LOOSE EVERYTHING, YOU CRASH. IF YOU ARE DRIVING A FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA I'M PRAYING FOR YOU, I HOPE THIS PROBLEM CAN BE FOUND, AND FIXED, GOING THROUGH WHAT I WENT THROUGH IS HORRIBLE. WHEN THE TOTAL LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED, MY DIGITAL VOLTAGE GAUGE WENT FROM 14.1 VOLTS TO 4.7 VOLTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND RESTARTED WHILE ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS WHERE ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT HE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V616000 (TRAILER HITCHES) BUT THE RECALL REMEDY WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 483,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH IN THE VEHICLE WOULD CAUSE A DECREASE IN ENGINE RPMS AND THE VEHICLE WOULD ATTEMPT TO STALL. THE FAILURE WOULD PREVENT THE CONTACT FROM SHIFTING GEARS. THE CONTACT STATED THE JAKE, WHICH IS THE ENGINE COMPRESS BRAKE, AS TO BE RELEASED IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE MANUFACTURER SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS TOLD THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THEY WOULD HAVE TO SEND AN ENGINEER TO FURTHER ASSESS THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,836.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT DROVE A 2011 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR WORK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DIESEL ENHANCEMENT FLUID LEVEL COMPONENT FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY, INCLUDING THE SENSOR/WARNING INDICATOR. IN ADDITION, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO FUNCTION AND THE EQUIPMENT WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT AT A TRUCK STOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SEAT LOST AIR PRESSURE RAPIDLY, CAUSING HIM TO SLAM INTO THE FLOOR LOSING SIGHT OF THE ROADWAY AND HIS FOOTING. THE FAILURE RECURRED REPEATEDLY. THE CONTACT DEVELOPED A COMPRESSED DISC IN HIS NECK AND DAMAGED HIS BRACHIAL PLEXUS, CAUSING A LOSS OF THE FULL FUNCTION OF HIS RIGHT ARM AND HANDS.THE CONTACT ALERTED THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE AND BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 11/13/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE IS OWNED BY SCHNEIDER TRUCKING. THE AIR VALVE FOR THE SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 11/29/2012 *JS UPDATED 12/12/12 *BF UPDATED 12/19/2012 *JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON 5-24-19, I WAS TRAVELING WEST ON HWY 56, 4 MILES EAST OF HERINGTON KS. SUDDENLY WITHOUT NOTICE, MY ENGINE SHUT OFF, I WAS LEFT WITH A DEAD TRUCK, TRAVELING AT 62 MPH, AND MY TANKER WAS FULLY LOADED, I COULD NOT HOLD THE TRUCK ON THE ROAD, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE CAUGHT THE SOFT EDGE OF THE ROAD, AND I WAS PULLED INTO THE DITCH, MY SEMI ROLLED AND I WAS PINNED INSIDE THE CAB, EMS PERSONAL WORKED FOR OVER 90 MINUTES TO FREE ME FROM THE WRECKAGE. IM VERY LUCKY TO BE ALIVE, RECOVERY WILL TAKE MONTHS. I WANT TO SEE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS PROBLEM, THIS MODEL HAS MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, BUT WHEN YOU LOOSE EVERYTHING, YOU CRASH. IF YOU ARE DRIVING A FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA I'M PRAYING FOR YOU, I HOPE THIS PROBLEM CAN BE FOUND, AND FIXED, GOING THROUGH WHAT I WENT THROUGH IS HORRIBLE. WHEN THE TOTAL LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED, MY DIGITAL VOLTAGE GAUGE WENT FROM 14.1 VOLTS TO 4.7 VOLTS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
2011 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA UNIT 1 WAS TRAVELING EAST ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE IN THE RIGHT LANE. UNIT 1 TRAILER ROOF COLLAPSED AND SPLIT THE TRAILER IN HALF. UNIT 1 PULLED OFF ONTO THE RIGHT BERM WHERE IT BECAME DISABLED. *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0069-90)*JB UPDATED 03/29/11 *BF
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .