RoadVitals

2012 Freightliner Cascadia Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
11
Latest Aug 5, 2019
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
65%
of 17 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2012 Freightliner Cascadia submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 11 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Electrical
Filed Aug 5, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HAZARD LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DID NOT WORK, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED, AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOU BROCHORDT FREIGHTLINER (2840 CENTER PORT CIR #102, POMPANO BEACH, FL 33064, (954) 545-1000), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 662,371. *TT *TR

NHTSA ID
11241759
Incident
Aug 5, 2019
Mileage
662,371 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Apr 4, 2019
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, FLAMES SUDDENLY APPEARED FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. THE DRIVER IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND APPLIED WATER TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING, THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED 12 MPH LESS THAN THE ACTUAL SPEED TRAVELED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A COMPUTER FAILURE. ALSO, THERE WAS AN ENGINE WATER PUMP LEAK THAT PRODUCED WHITE SMOKE. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE GASKET IN THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, THERE WERE AIR LEAKS IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND THE VEHICLE STALLED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 650,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
11193880
Incident
Mar 1, 2019
Mileage
650,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Sep 20, 2018

SIGNAL DETECTION AND ACTIVATION MODULE (SAM) VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY ,I DROPED MY TRL IN A DOC DOOR AT AMAZON, THEN I DROVE ABOUT A THOUSAND FEET TO PARK MY TRACTOR IN THE DESIGNATED AREA, AFTER PARKING I CUT THE TRUCK OFF AND AFTER ABOUT 10 MIN I STARTED IT UP THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE LITES ON DASHBOARD STARTED BLINKING OFF AND ON MY HEADLITES CAME ON AND MARKER LITES STARTED BLINKING WITHOUT EVER TURNING THEM ON. MY MECHNAIC DID EXTENSIVE SCANNING AND TESTING OF THE ACTIVE FAULT CODES THAT CAME UP (RESULTS ENCLOSED)

NHTSA ID
11130344
Incident
Sep 17, 2018
Mileage
543,546 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 22, 2018

CASCADIA 2012 CONSTANTLY IN AND OUT OF SHOP EVERY SINGLE WEEK SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS TRUCK. NOT EVEN 5 MONTHS YET AND ITS BEEN IN THE SHOP AND DEALER EVERY WEEK OR OTHER WEEK WITH THE SAME PROBLEM EVERY SINGLE TIME. REGEN DPF IS NOT COMPLETING AND EVERYTIME I GO TO DEALER THEY CHANGE ONE BOX AGAIN STILL PROBLEM. DEALER CHARGES EVERYTIME WHICH DOESN'T MAKE SENSE BECAUSE THIS IS MANUFACTURES PROBLEM AND I ALWAYS HAVE TO PAY FOR IT.

NHTSA ID
11074391
Incident
Feb 20, 2018
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Feb 22, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PREMATURE FAILURE WITH THE DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY CAMPBELL FREIGHTLINER (1015 CRANBURY SOUTH RIVER RD, MONROE TOWNSHIP, NJ 08831, (732) 287-1500) AND THE DPF UNIT WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY MORE THAN ONE MECHANIC AT THE DEALER, BUT THERE WAS NO SOLUTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A PERMANENT SOLUTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11074278
Incident
Aug 1, 2017
ElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 28, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OPERABLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE AND VARIOUS OTHER WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE DEF ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURES RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AND THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 585,000.

NHTSA ID
11020043
Incident
Dec 28, 2015
Mileage
585,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 4, 2016

SAME CAB, PROBLEM DASH LIGHTS WENT OFF, LIGHTS OUTSIDE FLASHING WITH VEHICLE MOVING AT 70 MPH TOOK IT TO DEALER THEY REPLACE CAB SAME WHICH COST ME $2635.35 TO REPAIR DEFECTIVE PART DANGEROUS PROBLEM IF HAPPEN AT NIGHT TIME BECAUSE HEAD LIGHTS DON'T WORK I HOPE YOU PEOPLE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM TANKS [XXX] FROM CALIFORNIA. ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).')*JB

NHTSA ID
10903504
Incident
Aug 27, 2016
Electrical
Filed Jun 29, 2016
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR THAT EMITTED THROUGH THE VENT AND UNDER THE SLEEPER WHERE THERE WAS A STORAGE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HARNESS WAS BURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT DIAGNOSED THAT THE HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO PREVENT AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 670,000. UPDATED 08/22/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 2016 MODELS FOR THE SAME FAILURE; THEREFORE, THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 11/30/2017*JS

NHTSA ID
10881632
Incident
Aug 23, 2015
Mileage
670,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 28, 2015
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR VENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SAM CHASSIS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V127000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 583.

NHTSA ID
10744176
Incident
Jul 15, 2015
Mileage
583 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jul 28, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE THE TURN SIGNALS WERE ACTIVATED AND SHUT OFF, THEY WOULD CONTINUE TO BLINK. THE SIGNALS WOULD BLINK FIVE TIMES WHEN THE LEVER WAS BARELY TOUCHED. IN ADDITION, THE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS BURNED OUT MULTIPLE TIMES AND WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V099000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 426,000.

NHTSA ID
10616901
Incident
May 8, 2013
Mileage
426,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 7, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR BATTERIES FAILED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THE STARTER PREVIOUSLY FAILED AND THE FAILURE MAY BE RELATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 263,175.

NHTSA ID
10515647
Incident
May 31, 2013
Mileage
263,175 mi

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

Data on this page last refreshed .