2017 Freightliner Cascadia

On May 26, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE23010) to assess reports of false positive activation of the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system in model year (MY) 2017-2022 Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) vehicles. The reports alleged that activation of the AEB system occurred while driving with no apparent obstruction in the vehicle's forward path, resulting in sudden vehicle deceleration. DTNA indicated that it received of a total of 315 reports that may relate to the alleged defect in MY 2017-2022 DTNA vehicles. DTNA stated that the vast majority of false positive activation of the subject systems occur in very limited durations and result in a five mile per hour deceleration. ODI considered four AEB systems offered by DTNA: Detroit Assurance 2.0, Detroit Assurance 4.0, Detroit Assurance 5.0, and Wabco OnGuard.  ODI’s analysis shows that of the Detroit Assurance versions, all are failing at similar rates. The OnGuard AEB systems equipped on the same model and model year vehicles have experienced a significantly lower claim rate. To date, ODI has received a total of 32 consumer complaints of inadvertent activation of AEB in MY 2017-2022 DTNA vehicles. In total, ODI reviewed 347 unique (i.e., non-duplicative Vehicle Identification Numbers) reports that may relate to the alleged defect, which include 24 reports involving a crash, 13 reports involving an alleged injury and one report with a fatality. PE23010 has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis to further assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety related consequences of the inadvertent AEB activations in MY 2017-2022 DTNA vehicles. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

On May 26, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE23010) to assess reports of false positive activation of the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system in model year (MY) 2017-2022 Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) vehicles. The reports alleged that activation of the AEB system occurred while driving with no apparent obstruction in the vehicle's forward path, resulting in unexpected and sudden vehicle deceleration. ODI sent an information request letter to DTNA on June 15, 2023.In its September 1, 2023, response, DTNA indicated that it received of a total of 315 reports that may relate to the alleged defect in MY 2017-2022 DTNA vehicles. DTNA stated that the vast majority of false positive activation of the subject systems occur for very limited durations and result in a five mile per hour deceleration. ODI considered four AEB systems offered by DTNA: Detroit Assurance 2.0, Detroit Assurance 4.0, Detroit Assurance 5.0, and Wabco OnGuard. ODI’s analysis shows that of the Detroit Assurance versions, all fail at similar rates. The Wabco OnGuard AEB systems equipped on the same model and model year vehicles have experienced a significantly lower claim rate. To date, ODI has received a total of 32 consumer complaints of inadvertent activation of AEB in MY 2017-2022 DTNA vehicles. In total, ODI reviewed 347 unique (i.e., non-duplicative Vehicle Identification Number) reports that may relate to the alleged defect, which include 24 involving a crash, 13 reports involving an alleged injury and one report with a fatality. PE23010 has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA25006) to further assess the scope, frequency, and nature of the inadvertent AEB activations in MY 2017-2022 Freightliner Cascadia and Western Star 5700 vehicles.In particular, this EA will assess the safety consequences likely to arise in the scenarios during which the AEB inadvertently and unexpectedly activates, such as the speeds and conditions during which the activation occurs. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation to investigate reports of engine electrical wiring harness chafe on the subject vehicles.ODI analysis found thousands of unique harness part numbers, spanning the two generations of vehicle chassis assembled at multiple vehicle assembly plants in two different countries, with multiple sub-models, incorporating over thirty powertrain choices.Each wiring harness could contain several dozen individual wires for power, ground and communication purposes depending on the multitude of equipment options available for custom vehicle configuration. ODI identified three primary areas where a wiring harness bundle may chafe: the air compressor support bracket, the transmission case, or the coolant surge tank. In each case, the root cause was some combination of inadequate design clearance, installation variability and relative motion between the wiring harness and the point of contact, such as from vibration. The chafing could result in a range of consequences from none to various diagnostic fault codes, telltale illumination, driver warning center messages, erratic electrical component operation, difficult or no engine start condition, engine de-rate (power reduction), engine shut down, inoperative transmission gear selection, or an unexpected shift to neutral.These potential consequences vary depending on the specific damaged wire in the harness and the exact failure mode, such as intermittent short circuit to ground or open circuit. Generally, the chafing resulted in a progressive series of driver warnings with high levels of detectability over the course of several days and ignition cycles. Drivers usually heed warnings before an engine shutdown condition occurs and the driver may override an engine shutdown countdown timer using the override switch. If the driver allows the shutdown event to occur, the engine can almost always be immediately restarted. Incident rates for an engine shutdown with no warning or a transmission shift to neutral while driving are both very low. ODI received one complaint (NHTSA ID Number 11366557) from a fleet mechanic, who reported in a subsequent interview that he repaired at least six subject vehicles that experienced the alleged defect condition. However, there have been no new Vehicle Owner Questionnaire complaints received by ODI since opening this investigation, and there are no known crashes, fires or thermal events, or injuries or deaths related to the alleged defect. Accordingly, no safety-related defect trend has been identified. Based on available information, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI report cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Numbers document, go to NHTSA.gov.

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.

KNOWN - TAKE OVER OF SLOW LANE FROM PASSING LANE ON FREEWAY RESULTING IN UN LAWFUL TAKE OVER OF SLOW LANE PLEASE ADVISE OF ALL SYSTEMS WORKING PROPERLY ON VIN DESIGNATED THANK YOU

NHTSA ID

11643045

Incident

Apr 21, 2023

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BRAKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A PINCHED NERVE IN NECK. THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW IF THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER OR IF IT HAD BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW IF MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 271,455. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11415300

Incident

May 16, 2019

Mileage

271,455 mi

[XXX], FORMER EMPLOYEE OF AUTOBAHN, OVERSEEING 8 DRIVER TRUCKS HAD ALL TRUCKS REQUIRE POWER STEERING BOXES DUE TO A LOSS OF ASSIST. HER TESTIMONY WILL BE ADDED AS AN ATTACHMENT SINCE IT IS LONGER THAN THE ALOTTED 2200 CHARACTERS *TT*JB ('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

11244671

Incident

Apr 1, 2018

Mileage

200,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT DROVE A 2017 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A CRASH MITIGATION SYSTEM INSTALLED BY A COMPANY CALLED WABCO. THE SYSTEM WAS A RADAR-BASED SYSTEM SET TO APPLY THE BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY TO AVOID COLLISIONS. WITHIN THE PAST FEW MONTHS, THERE WERE SOME SOFTWARE UPDATES AND THE SYSTEM WAS PICKING UP OTHER OBJECTS, SUCH AS OVERHEAD SIGNS THAT COULD CAUSE THE AUTO BRAKE SYSTEM TO ACTIVATE UNNECESSARILY. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS TESTED BY THE WABCO MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE SYSTEM WAS WORKING NORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE THREE INCIDENCES WHEN THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING ENGAGED WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE PICKED UP ROAD SIGNS 20 FEET ABOVE THE HIGHWAY INSTEAD OF VEHICLES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITH OTHER DRIVERS NATIONWIDE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT REFUSED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE CONTACT WAS AN EMPLOYEE OF RIDER INTEGRATED LOGISTICS, WHO OWNED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 240,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11210401

Incident

Apr 28, 2019

Mileage

240,000 mi

I WORKED FOR A TRANSPORT FLEET THAT HAD NUMEROUS POWER STEERING GEARBOX ISSUES ON 2017 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA'S. DURING MY TENURE THERE I OVERSAW 8 TRUCKS THAT HAD STEERING BOX REPLACEMENTS DUE TO EITHER STEERING PULL OR LACK OF POWER ASSIST. I DIAGNOSED ANOTHER 5 UNITS AT THE MAIN OFFICE IN ROMULUS, MICHIGAN THAT NEEDED POWER STEERING BOXES. I HAVE ALSO WORKED CLOSELY WITH A FREIGHTLINER DEALER TO DETERMINE THE BOXES WERE FAILING DUE TO INCREASED HEAT BUILDUP, INTERNAL BEARING FAILURE AND FLUID DEGRADATION. I NOTED IN THE COMPLAINT OF 13 OCCURRENCES. THIS NUMBER WAS THE 8 REPLACED BOXES AND THE OTHER 5 I INSPECTED. THESE TRUCKS DEVELOPED STEERING PROBLEMS BETWEEN MAY 2018 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2018

NHTSA ID

11195150

Incident

Aug 16, 2018

Mileage

251,602 mi

WHEN USING WIPERS THEY WILL QUIT WORKING PERIODICALLY I CAN SWITCH TO HIGH SPEED OR TO INTERMITTENT AND THEY WILL WORK I CAN ALSO PUSH THE WASHER FLUID BUTTON IN REAL QUICK AND THEY WILL START WORKING AGAIN THEY MAY WORK FOR A FEW SECONDS AND QUIT AGAIN AND THEY MAY WORK A FEW MINUTES AND QUIT AGAIN. FREIGHTLINER IN KINGSPORT TN CHECKED IT OUT ON A DRY DAY AND SAID NOTHING WRONG I THINK IT'S A PROBLEM WHEN IT'S RAINING SOMETHING IS GETTING WET AND STOPPING A COMPLETE CONNECTION THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM IN A 80 THOUSAND POUND VEHICLE TO NOT BE ABLE TO SEE WHEN RAINING

NHTSA ID

11141519

Incident

Mar 1, 2017

Mileage

45,000 mi

WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AND BEGIN TO SMELL FUEL SO PULLED OVER AND FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM HIGH PRESSURE LINE GOING TO PUMP

NHTSA ID

11073329

Incident

Feb 16, 2018

Mileage

511,234 mi

THIS COMPLAINT PERTAINS TO ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL (ACC), FORWARD CRASH AVOIDANCE (FCA) AND LANE DEPARTURE WARNING SYSTEMS (LDWS). I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE BUT IT WILL PERTAIN TO ALL VEHICLES WITH THESE SYSTEMS. THE ACC AND FCAS BECAUSE OF ITS STRAIGHT LINE OF SIGHT IS MISINTERPRETING THE DATA ON APPROACH TO BRIDGES, OVERPASSES AND OVERHEAD SIGNS AND WILL INITIATE A HARD BRAKING EVENT ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN NO BRAKING IS REQUIRED CAUSING THE POTENTIAL TO LOSE CONTROL AND FOR A FOLLOWING VEHICLE TO CRASH. THIS PROBLEM WOULD BE INTENSIFIED ON WET, ICY AND SNOW COVERED ROADS. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED A HARD BRAKING EVENT ON INTERSTATES ON APPROACH TO A CURVE IN THE ROAD WHERE VEHICLES AHEAD WILL ALREADY BE IN THE CURVE IN ANOTHER LANE AND THE DATA IS MISINTERPRETED AS A CRASH AND BRAKES HARD BECAUSE THE OTHER VEHICLES ARE DIRECTLY IN THE LINE OF SIGHT. AGAIN, NO BRAKING WAS REQUIRED. ON APPROACH TO A VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY READY TO MOVE INTO ANOTHER LANE TO EXECUTE A PASSING MANEUVER THE VEHICLE IS BRAKED FORCING A LOSS IN VEHICLE MOMENTUM WHEN NO BRAKING WAS REQUIRED. IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, RAIN, SNOW, FROST AND FOG THE SENSORS BECOME UNABLE TO SEE WHICH IS THE BEST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN AND THE ONLY WAY TO DISABLE IT THAT I KNOW OF. THESE EVENTS OCCUR EVERY SINGLE DAY ON MY TRIPS. I AM A PROFESSIONAL DRIVER WITH 35 YEARS' EXPERIENCE IN COMMERCIAL VEHICLES AND 40 IN A CAR. I DRIVE 570 MILES A NIGHT. THESE TECHNOLOGIES IN THEIR CURRENT STATE HAVE NO PLACE IN VEHICLES ON THE PUBLIC HIGHWAY SYSTEMS. WITH WINTER COMING I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AND THAT OF THE MOTORING PUBLIC AND WANT A RECORD OF MY COMPLAINT ON FILE. TRUCK IS EQUIPPED WITH THE DETROIT ASSURANCE 2.0 SYSTEM.

NHTSA ID

10926597

Incident

Oct 27, 2016

Mileage

500 mi

Technical Service Bulletin for Cascadia Generations

Fleet Communications for Power Steering Resevoir - NTF Replacements

Fleet Communications for NFD Lower Oil Plug Location - SP Axles

Fleet Communications for Power Steering Reservoir Fill Cap Venting

Service Solution for P4 Main Mirror Arm Covers Loose - Falling Off

CX Advocate for KY AEB Notice