repaired · 2022 Q1
Exterior lighting
Risk. The vehicle's rearward visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
2011 Freightliner CascadiaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 12 owner complaints about the 2011 Freightliner Cascadia, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 23 safety recalls, and for recall 17V-810 the manufacturer reports only 1% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 14, 2020. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2011 Freightliner Cascadia has problems
12 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
5Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
3Power train
3Fuel/propulsion system
2Exterior lighting
2Engine1 crash/fire/injury
2Service brakes
1Seats
1Vehicle speed control
1Steering
22 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 5 | 1 |
| Power train | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 |
| 2 other systems | 2 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
23 recalls
2011 Freightliner Cascadia recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2019 Q3
Equipment
Risk. In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
repaired · 2019 Q3
Exterior lighting: brake lights
Risk. If the brake lights fail to illuminate, there would not be a signal to other motorists that the vehicle is slowing, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2017 Q1
Trailer hitches: fifth wheel assembly
Risk. If the fifth wheel and locking mechanism are sufficiently damaged, the locking mechanism may fail to operate as intended and the trailer may unexpectedly…
Show 19 more recalls
repaired · 2017 Q1
Electrical system
Risk. Intermittent operation of the trailer lights may prevent other drivers from knowing that the truck is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of a vehicle…
repaired · 2016 Q1
Exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Risk. Due to the area of its placement, the exhaust system forces heat around, and may overheat, the fuel system components, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.
no report yet
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Risk. The sensor malfunction could induce elevated exhaust temperatures or flames from the exhaust pipe, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire or burn injury to a…
no report yet
Equipment
Risk. Air tanks that become separated from a moving vehicle may create a road debris hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
no report yet
Engine: diesel
Risk. A FUEL LEAK COULD CREATE A ROAD HAZARD, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
Steering: rack and pinion
Risk. THE STEERING COULD UNEXPECTEDLY TURN LEFT OR RIGHT, MAKING THE VEHICLE MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
Electronic stability control (ESC)
Risk. IF THE DRIVER IS SLOW TO REACT DURING THIS ESC INTERVENTION, THE VEHICLE MAY DEVIATE FROM THE INTENDED LINE OF TRAVEL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
12v/24v/48v battery: cables
Risk. A SHORT CIRCUIT BETWEEN AN UN-FUSED BATTERY CABLE AND CHASSIS GROUND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
no report yet
Trailer hitches: fifth wheel assembly
Risk. IF THE TRACTOR IS NOT FULLY CONNECTED TO THE TRAILER, THE TRAILER MAY DISENGAGE WHILE IN USE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
Delivery: fuel pump
Risk. IF A DIESEL FUEL LEAK CONTINUES UNDETECTED, FUEL MAY SPILL ONTO THE ROADWAY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
Power train: driveline
Risk. A TUBE SEAM WELD THAT IS NOT PROPERLY BONDED CAN RESULT IN THE DRIVELINE ASSEMBLY FRACTURING ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE TUBE SEAM WELD.
no report yet
Slack adjusters: automatic
Risk. IF THE SLACK ADJUSTER HOUSING WERE TO BREAK, THE WHEEL BRAKE TO WHICH THE SLACK ADJUSTER IS ATTACHED WOULD NO LONGER FUNCTION, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE…
no report yet
Engine and engine cooling
Risk. A SHORT CIRCUITED GRID HEATER COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE AND INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
no report yet
Springs: leaf spring assembly
Risk. IF UNDETECTED, OVER TIME THE REAR END OF THE SPRING MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSING A HAZARDOUS ROAD DEBRIS SITUATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
Risk. A POSITIVE ALTERNATOR CABLE, WITH DAMAGED INSULATION, THAT MAY CONTACT A GROUNDED COMPONENT CAN CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
no report yet
Other: labels
Risk. FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROPER TIRE INFLATION RECOMMENDATIONS CAN RESULT IN TIRE FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
Delivery: fuel pump
Risk. IF A DIESEL FUEL LEAK CONTINUES UNDETECTED, FUEL MAY SPILL ONTO THE ROADWAY POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
no report yet
Engine and engine cooling
Risk. A SHORT CIRCUITED GRID HEATER COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE AND INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
no report yet
Fuel system, other
Risk. FUEL LEAKING ONTO THE ROADWAY MAY RESULT IN VEHICLE CRASH.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Freightliner.
Best & worst years
2011 vs. every other Cascadia year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Cascadia median. How we score
'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
5 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2011 Freightliner Cascadia, and the recalls they led to.
- Daimler Trucks North America RecallsNo recall
- Fontaine Ultra LT 5th Wheel False LatchLed to recall 11V-289
- Air Brake Reservoir Bracket FractureLed to recall 12V-405
- PNDB Electrical Power DistributionNo recall
- SAM Cab Water IntrusionNo recall
In owners' words
What Cascadia owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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,…
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…
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…
Own a 2011 Cascadia?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.