2019 Freightliner Cascadia Owner Complaints

I am writing to bring to your attention a potentially dangerous situation caused by what I believe to be a manufacturer design flaw with the SS 1034797 M2, 108SD, 114SD Coolant Level Sensor P/N 06-93316-002. On [XXX], one of our trucks (VIN: [XXX]) experienced a low coolant warning and an automatic engine shutdown while traveling on the interstate in a construction zone. As you can imagine, the sudden stoppage of a tractor-trailer in the traffic lanes of a freeway presents an extremely hazardous situation, not only for our driver but for all motorists in the vicinity. For us as a motor carrier, this is compounded by the likelihood of legal liability resulting from any collision involving a stationary truck in such conditions. The root cause of this incident appears to be the failure of the magnet within the surge tank to maintain its buoyancy. When the magnet sinks to the bottom of the tank, it signals the engine control module (ECM) that the coolant level is critically low, triggering an engine shutdown. While I understand the intent is to protect the engine from potential damage, this design flaw creates an unacceptably dangerous scenario—especially since, in many cases, the engine is not actually at risk of damage. In this instance, I instructed the driver to unplug and after a 15-minute period, he restarted the truck and drove to a nearby truck stop. Remarkably, the truck remains operational without the sensor repair, further underscoring the superficial nature of this issue. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. We have encountered similar sensor failures across our fleet, but this particular event was the most severe. While I am not an engineer, it seems logical that the coolant level sensor should be paired with a high-temperature reading before an engine shutdown is initiated. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11634519

Incident

Jan 6, 2025

While approaching an overpass the collision mitigation system activated my brakes nearly causing the vehicle behind me to rear end my trailer, hit my brakes so hard i was thrown forward.

NHTSA ID

11617194

Incident

Sep 27, 2024

My 2019 Freightliner Cascadia forward collision brakes activates automatically while on the road without any other vehicle nearby, airbrake malfunction (not released appropriately and fully released) and extremely fuel consumption.

NHTSA ID

11610330

Incident

Jul 12, 2024

Truck will apply brakes when no objects or vehicles are around. It is very scary and unexpected when the system does this.

NHTSA ID

11591674

Incident

Apr 16, 2024

The contact owns a 2019 Freightliner Cascadia. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the Forward Collision Avoidance feature engaged inadvertently. Recently, the contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the brake assist system engaged after a plastic bag flew by the vehicle. The Forward Collision Avoidance alarm sounded during the failure. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the feature could not be deactivated. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 254,180.

NHTSA ID

11580899

Incident

Apr 3, 2024

Mileage

254,180 mi

The contact owns a 2019 Freightliner Cascadia. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60–70 MPH, the brake assist system engaged without an object nearby. While depressing the brake pedal, the system released and reset. The Forward Collision Avoidance alarm sounded. The contact called the local dealer and was referred to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 200,674.

NHTSA ID

11534282

Incident

Jul 25, 2022

Mileage

200,674 mi

My truck just came to a screeching halt on the interstate with no obstacles in front of it. It nearly caused a major accident. I could not override it. I was approaching an overpass approximately 100 yards away. Collision warning lights went on. Horn started beeping and brakes engaged immediately.

NHTSA ID

11530515

Incident

Jul 5, 2023

This complaint comes from a private truck fleet operating over 700 trucks experiencing excessive amounts of false positive emergency braking and/or haptic following distance warnings (brake stab) on 2018-2020 Freightliner Classis Cascadia tractors. The system experiencing the highest incidents are equipped with the Wabco OnGuard Collision Mitigation System. Some of these false positives have resulted in neck and shoulder injuries. False positives occur while approaching bridge overpasses and other road objects such as steel plates or overhead signs. Wabco has been contacted and state the system is discontinued and outdated so no support or fixes is offered other than a single software upgrade. All units have received the software update but still experience false positives. These unexpected false positive occurrences have resulted in injuries, potential loss of control, and accident risks to other motorists. Although false positives have occurred and continue to occur since first receiving trucks with this technology in 2018, the first injury occurred on 3/3/2022. The system should be recalled to provide a solution to the excessive false positives.

NHTSA ID

11530075

Incident

Mar 3, 2022

This Truck that I'm buying from USCryo Carriers that is a Freightliner has been in the shop numerous times for electrical issues and lighting issues and body and tires problems and they have yet to fix them and get them properly repaired and the Truck is shocking me while driving and whenever laying in the bunkso much it hurts and causes headaches I pay insurance and for the truck, but my company is steady making me pay all repairs even though I have insurance

NHTSA ID

11504208

Incident

Jan 6, 2023

Engine caught fire on drivers side.

NHTSA ID

11501179

Incident

Jan 10, 2023

Cruise control will shut off and then engage again on its own. It will have a hard time to disengage at times. Lane departure goes off when there is nothing there. The collision warning system goes off a lot. Locked up the brakes in the rain causing a slide. Locked up on ice almost causing a jackknife. Then this summer it has locked up when nothing is around. Came to a complete stop, then not releasing the brakes for a few seconds. Luckily, no one was around. It has been in for repair several times. It is in the shop now. I lease this vehicle from Penske. They refuse to give me a safe truck.

NHTSA ID

11479098

Incident

Aug 10, 2022

Reference no, 11354207. I called the US department of transportation on September 10, 2022 to report the braking failure on my truck that cost my driver his life. I've since called them a couple of times, but have not heard back from them. There have been multiple other reports where the same brake failure occurred, but there has not been any other follow up.

NHTSA ID

11470963

Incident

Aug 28, 2020

ABS AND TRACTION control failed. Because of this, the $ 7,000 automatic collision avoidance system is not working. 300.000 miles on 2019 truck is just ridiculous.

NHTSA ID

11453359

Incident

Sep 24, 2021

:steering. Yes :was unable to steer properly into a curve in road, resulting in truck slamming into ditch. :no :yes :no incident occurred 10/29/2021. we never received any indication of issues until weeks after. upon looking further into the recall we saw that the notices were set to be sent out 10/30/2021. one day after incident. furthermore we also see another recall that was never fixed from 9/20, of which we never were sent any info on and remains not addressed per this website. (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS

NHTSA ID

11440871

Incident

Oct 29, 2021

The contact owns a 2019 Freightliner Cascadia. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the led headlights dimmed, and the contact was unable to see the roadway. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that there was no recall on the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 375,767.

NHTSA ID

11438333

Incident

Jun 15, 2021

Mileage

375,767 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2019 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA 126. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AN EMPLOYEE WAS DRIVING 35 MPH, WHEN THE BRAKES SEIZED AND THE AXLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER COULD PARK ON THE SIDE ROAD AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE CONTACT STATED NO POLICE OR FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER VELOCITY TRUCK CENTERS - WHITTIER LOCATED AT 2429 PECK RD, WHITTIER, CA 90601, (562) 447-1200, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING A WHEEL SEAL AND WHEEL CALIPER TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED ON THE AUGUST 28,2020, BASED ON THE POLICE REPORT, WHILE HIS EMPLOYEE WAS DRIVING AT 70 MPH, WHEN THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF THE HIGH RAIL GUARD FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON. THE DRIVER WAS PRONOUNCED DECEASED AT THE SCENE OF THE CRASH. THE CONTACT STATED THE CRASH WAS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO IMPOUND LOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V390000 (SERVICE BRAKES, AIR) ON AUGUST 31,2020. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN ATTEMPTED TO CALL BUT NO ONE ANSWERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210,047.

NHTSA ID

11354207

Incident

Jan 6, 2020

Mileage

210,047 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AN EMPLOYEE WAS DRIVING 70 MPH, HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V390000 (SERVICE BRAKES, AIR) AND HAD THE RECALL REPAIR COMPLETED AT HOUSTON FREIGHTLINER LOCATED AT 9550 N LOOP E FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77029. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED BUT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 247,062.

NHTSA ID

11354198

Incident

Jul 8, 2020

Mileage

247,062 mi

POWER STEERING PUMP WAS BAD SINCE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK. NOW IT TAKES A LOT OF STRENGTH TO TURN THE WHEELS WHEN I PARK ( LOW RPM) THE DEALER CHERGED ME OVER $ 350 AND THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD FIND THE PROBLEM. JUNK !! IT FEELS LIKE IS LOCKING UP EVEN ON HIGHWAYS WHEN ENGINE CRUISES AT LOW RPM 2 : HEADLIGHTS BAD DESIGN . THE LED / TURN SIGNAL : THE BULB ITSELF IS AN LED LIGHT, BUT IS WAY TO CLOSE TO THE PLASTIC BARS INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT, AND THAT CAUSES BURNS IN THE PLASTIC , RESULTING IN A VERY DIM TURN LIGHT SIGNAL AND DAY LIGHT DRIVING LIGHTS . THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT IS TO BUY ANOTHER HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY CRAP ALSO

NHTSA ID

11338342

Incident

Jul 1, 2019

Mileage

10,000 mi

THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY SPEED 65 MPH WHEAT ROAD SURFACE, SUDDENLY THE TRUCK STEER TO THE LEFT WHEN THE DRIVER TRIES TO CORRECT THE TRUCK IN A STRAIGHT POSITION THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOT RESPONDING, AFTER A FRACTION OF THE SECOND THE TRUCK TURN TO RIGHT CROSSING 2 LINE TRAVELING HIT THE RAILS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND END UP INTO A TREE.

NHTSA ID

11320459

Incident

Mar 23, 2020

Mileage

122,000 mi

TRUCK SLAMS ON ITS BRAKES RANDOMLY. LOCKS THEM UP WHEN THERE IS NOTHING IN FRONT OF ME AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HAVE A BAD ACCIDENT. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS EVER SINCE I STARTED DRIVING THIS TRUCK AND HAVE PUT 25,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAS 50,000 MILES ON ODOMETER. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 35 YEARS WITH NO ACCIDENTS AND THIS TRUCK IS GOING TO CAUSE A VERY BAD ACCIDENT. I AM A PENSKE DRIVER BASED IN MT HOPE OHIO AND MANAGEMENT IS DOING NOTHING. WE HAVE 10 OF THESE TRUCKS AT OUR FACILITY WITH THIS BRAKING FEATURE AND WE ARE ALL ABOUT TO QUIT OR HIRE ATTORNEYS. THANKS [XXX]. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11271439

Incident

Oct 27, 2019

Mileage

50,000 mi

HARD TO CONTROL TRUCK AT HIGHWAY SPEED COULDN'T KEEP IN LANE.PULLED OFF EXIT STEERING WOULD ONLY GO TO LEFT.LUCKY IT DIDN'T DO IT AT 70 MILES A HOUR OR I WOULDN'T BE FILLING THIS OUT.STEERING BOX LOCKED UP NO ABILITY TO TURN

NHTSA ID

11195335

Incident

Apr 10, 2019

Mileage

89,490 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE LOAD BARS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STOOPS FREIGHTLINER QUALITY TRAILER DAYTON (6369, 7800 CENTER POINT 70 BLVD, DAYTON, OH 45424), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,900. *DT*JB

NHTSA ID

11191979

Incident

Mar 18, 2019

Mileage

7,900 mi

VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKING OIL AT 20.000 MILES. VERY HARD STEERING WHEN LOW RPM ( PARKING AND ECO - TRANSMISSION SHIFT TO NEUTRAL AT HIGH SPEED , RESULTING IN LOW RPM. SAFETY PROBLEM IF A TURN IS REQUIRED) BLUETHOOTH IS USELESS. VERY BAD RECEPTION ON THE OTHER END BRAKES : SHIFT SOMETIME TO LEFT OR TO RIGHT, WHEN APLLIED. FUEL GAUGE OFF BY 1/8 OF CAPACITY AND GETTING WORSE

NHTSA ID

11166483

Incident

Jan 8, 2019

THE AVOIDANCE COLLISION SYSTEM WILL RANDOMLY CAUSE THE BRAKES TO SLAM ON WHEN APPROACHING OVERPASSES WHILE MOVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THIS IS HAPPENING WITH ALL THE 2019 TRUCKS WITH THE AVIDENCE SYSTEM

NHTSA ID

11165951

Incident

Jan 6, 2019

Mileage

35,000 mi

THE AVOIDANCE COLLISION SYSTEM WILL RANDOMLY CAUSE THE BRAKES TO SLAM ON WHEN APPROACHING OVERPASSES WHILE MOVING ON THE HIGHWAY

NHTSA ID

11165950

Incident

Dec 13, 2018

Mileage

15,000 mi