2013 Freightliner Cascadia

On August 31, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a recall query, RQ20001, to investigate the allegations of water intrusion into the truck cab signal-detect and activation module (SAM cab).The investigation further evaluated the effectiveness of the original recall remedy, and the installation of an updated drip shield as it relates to continual water intrusion resulting in the loss of electrical functions and potential fire.The potential hazard was the increased risk of a crash and injury in certain model year (MY) 2007-2021 Freightliner Cascadia P3 vehicles manufactured by Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA). ODI sent DTNA an information request (IR) letter on September 29, 2020.DTNA's November 20, 2020, IR response detailed how the company had implemented various improvements through recall 09V024 and multiple technical service bulletins (TSBs) to mitigate water intrusion.The effectiveness of new windshield seals and revisions to the drip shield is evident by the downward trend in claims rate from an average high of 7.64% in the beginning product life of Cascadia P3 (MYs 2007-2009), to 1.79% average for MYs 2011-2018, and down to 0.49% towards the end of the Cascadia P3 production.Moreover, the data shows that most failures occurred within the first three years of service with a significant downward trend thereafter. In view of the current overall low failure rate, the nature of early-life failure, and failure rate trending downward since model year 2017, this Recall Query (RQ) is closed.  The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

On April 23, 2018, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) opened Audit Query (AQ18002) to assess the timeliness and scope of four recalls filed by Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (“DTNA”). NHTSA subsequently expanded AQ18002 to examine the timeliness and scope of three additional DTNA recalls and compliance with early warning reporting and manufacturer communications reporting requirements. NHTSA and DTNA entered into a Consent Order on December 29, 2020, to resolve NHTSA’s assertions that certain recalls within the scope of AQ18002 were untimely, DTNA failed to timely submit certain manufacturer communications to NHTSA, and DTNA failed to submit field reports to NHTSA as required. As part of the Consent Order, DTNA agreed to a total civil penalty of thirty million dollars ($30,000,000), of which ten million dollars ($10,000,000) was paid on January 12, 2021. Also, of that total civil penalty, DTNA agreed to spend five million dollars ($5,000,000) on the specific performance obligations to develop advanced data analytics capabilities to enhance its ability to detect and study emerging safety-related defect trends on its vehicles (“Safety Data Analytics infrastructure”) and an advanced data analytics and reporting platform that integrates data on emerging safety-related defect trends on its vehicles and recall lessons learned (“Safety Communications Platform”). The Consent Order also held fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) of the civil penalty in abeyance pending DTNA’s satisfactory completion of the requirements of the Consent Order, and its compliance with the Safety Act, and regulations thereunder. NHTSA and DTNA agreed to a two-year term for the Consent Order—with an option for NHTSA to extend the Consent Order for an additional year, if warranted. In the Consent Order, DTNA agreed to numerous performance obligations, including monthly meetings with NHTSA to discuss potential safety issues, recent manufacturer communications, and recall decision-making, among other things; quarterly meetings with NHTSA to discuss DTNA’s progress on the performance obligations under the Consent Order, including the Safety Data Analytics infrastructure and Safety Communications Platform, and any issues related to compliance with the Consent Order, Safety Act, or regulations; development of written procedures and employee training materials to help DTNA comply with its legal obligations to timely identify and report safety defects and noncompliances, submit complete and accurate recall filings, and timely submit manufacturer communications and field reports to NHTSA; and identifying and reporting previously unreported manufacturer communications and field reports. Also, via the Consent Order, DTNA acknowledged that the failure or inability to identify a specific root cause, develop an adequate remedy or repair, or confirm the affected population of vehicles are not bases for delaying filing a recall with NHTSA. On December 22, 2022, NHTSA extended the Consent Order for a term of one year due to concerns about DTNA’s compliance with its recall-related obligations. Specifically, NHTSA expressed concerns about the completeness of DTNA’s recall reports and issues identified with owner notification letters during the term of the Consent Order, as well as the length of time that DTNA took to consider a straightforward noncompliance issue before filing a recall and DTNA’s interactions with NHTSA during the term of the Consent Order. NHTSA addressed these concerns with DTNA during the third year of the Consent Order. The extended term of the Consent Order expired on December 28, 2023. Based on the Consent Order, this investigation, AQ18002, is closed. Closure of this AQ has no bearing on the terms of the Consent Order or DTNA’s ongoing legal obligations, and it does not represent a determination by NHTSA as to DTNA’s performance under the Consent Order.

On April 23, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE18-004) to investigate certain alleged defects affecting the Powernet Distribution Box (PNDB) and associated wiring on certain model year (MY) 2011-2016 Freightliner Cascadia (P3 platform) truck tractors that may result in disruption or loss of electrical power to the PNDB itself and other electrical circuits, thermal events, and/or vehicle fires.On May 7, 2018, ODI sent an Information Request (IR) letter to Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA). On June 19, 2018, ODI received an IR response from DTNA that included vehicle production, consumer complaint, field report, warranty, manufacturer actions, changes and other data related to the alleged defects. On April 8, 2019, ODI received a supplemental IR response from DTNA that included their assessment of the alleged defects. Furthermore, ODI engaged in discussions with the manufacturer about the alleged defects on multiple occasions during the course of this investigation. ODI analysis of all available data indicates there is not an apparent defect trend. The most recent field report data reviewed was from 2017Q1 and the most recent complaint data was received by ODI in 2019Q1. The complaint rate is low. Most warranty claims occurred early in the vehicles' service life, and with the newest of the subject vehicles being over four years old, they are all now beyond that point. The warranty claim rates for loose input or output terminals (0.16%), loose fuses (0.25%), PNDB power (B+) supply cable corrosion or improper PNDB power (B+) supply cable routing and/ or securement (0.00%) are all low.The most serious consequence in the warranty claim data alleged engine shutoff with a vehicle in motion. While some vehicles did experience a loss of electrical power resulting in loss of motive power with no immediate restart capability, the bulk of the warranty claims were for vehicles equipped with an optional cab power disconnect switch solenoid with an automatic reset feature that may exhibit a brief, intermittent loss of power. If the input and output voltages differ by an unacceptable amount, potentially due to foreign object debris or corrosion on the solenoid's contacts, the PNDB senses the difference and enters an auto-reset mode in an attempt to correct the condition. The internal contacts open for one second, stopping the flow of electricity, and then close, restoring the flow for two seconds. This cycle is repeated for up to five times; after a maximum of thirteen seconds, the PNDB defaults to the on position and electrical power is restored. This condition exhibits a transient loss of power but it does not cause any permanent engine disablement. As a precaution, the solenoid-equipped PNDB part was modified in August 2017 to eliminate the auto-reset feature. Since 2010, there has been only 1 report of vehicle fire and zero reports of crash, injury or death. Accordingly, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

2013 Freightliner diesel fuel cause fire, destroy the unit completely to the ground... Very first load with this truck...Truck was inspected by dealer (Penski) truck and release by truck dealer Fontana CA. Driver was fortunate to jump out of cab to safety .......He indicated truck was running normal no sign of warning lights...

NHTSA ID

11554642

Incident

Nov 10, 2023

OCCURRING BOTH STATIONARY AND WHILE IN MOTION WHENEVER KEY IS TURNED ON. LEFT AND RIGHT UPPER VISOR LIGHTS WHILE THE OTHER 3 REMAIN OFF, DASH LIGHTS TURN ON AND OFF. SOME GAUGES NOT FUNCTIONING. HEADLIGHTS REMAIN ON WHILE KEY IN IGNITION REGARDLESS OF IF LIGHT SWITCH IS ON. EMERGENCY POWER SYSTEM FLUCTUATES ON AND OFF.

NHTSA ID

11310073

Incident

Feb 6, 2020

Mileage

610,975 mi

THE CAB READING LIGHTS NOT FUNCTIONING, DASHBOARD LIGHTS MALFUNCTION OR NOT WORKING. THEY STOP FUNCTIONING WHILE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.

NHTSA ID

11104712

Incident

Mar 5, 2018

Mileage

197,000 mi

FRONT AIR BRAKE CHAMBERS - CRACKS DEVELOPING AND EXPANDING NEAR MOUNTING BRACKET REQUIRING REPLACEMENT BEFORE BREAKING FREE RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKES. CRACKS FORMED TOP AND BOTTOM OF CAN WHERE ATTACHED TO MOUNTING BRACKET. NO AIR LEAKS DETECTED. HALDEX HDX127240011

NHTSA ID

10991662

Incident

May 22, 2017

Mileage

102,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER WAS ACTIVATED BY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REGENERATION SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 414,000.

NHTSA ID

10969383

Incident

Mar 8, 2017

Mileage

414,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON, THE ON GUARD COLLISION SAFETY SYSTEM ENGAGED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY STOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 225,546.

NHTSA ID

10584579

Incident

Aug 8, 2012

Mileage

1,800 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE J-BRAKE AND TRAILER BRAKE ERRONEOUSLY ENGAGED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKES INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO RESPOND TO DECELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE ON GUARD SYSTEM HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 265,000. UPDATED 7/31/14*CN *TR

NHTSA ID

10561849

Incident

Oct 1, 2013

Mileage

265,000 mi

Technical Service Bulletin for Load Dump Switch Inspection and Installation on Dometic Refrigerators

Important Campaign Information Letter for DDC D21M1 Termination Date Extended. This letter is to inform you that a revised bulletin for Detroit Diesel Field Service Campaign D21M1, DT12 Transmission Drive Shaft Cover Plug Reseal has been EXTENDED for an additional three months. Please use the extended termination date for all work under D21M1 from this point forward. REVISION: D21M1 termination date extended to July 1, 2022.

Revised Freightliner Service Bulletin for ParkSmart Eberspaecher Auxiliary Heater Service. This bulletin replaces the version dated May 2015. The note in General Information has been revised to include New Cascadia. Espar information has been changed to reflect a company name change to Eberspaecher.

Revised Freightliner Service Bulletin for Braces for Cascadia Cab-Mounted Splash Shields. Minor note: added an update of document previously submitted. The related VMRS codes are added

End of Production for the Freightliner P3 Cascadia Sales Cabs. Due to low production volumes, DTNA will be discontinuing the production of the Freightliner Cascadia P3 Sales Cabs.

Tech Talk Discussion Valve Stem Seal Installer Sleeve