repaired · 2025 Q3
Electronic stability control (ESC)
Risk. Brakes that pull to one side may cause a sudden change in vehicle direction, increasing the risk of a crash.
2018 Freightliner CascadiaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 11 owner complaints about the 2018 Freightliner Cascadia, most often about the exterior lighting. It is covered by 26 safety recalls, and for recall 19V-370 the manufacturer reports only 14% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 18, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Tdorante10, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2018 Freightliner Cascadia has problems
11 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
4Exterior lighting
3Vehicle speed control
2Forward collision avoidance
2Service brakes1 crash/fire/injury
2Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
1Service brakes, air
1Tires
1Electronic stability control (ESC)
1Air bags
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 4 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 2 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 1 |
| Service brakes, air | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 1 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
26 recalls
2018 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 · 2025 Q3
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control
Risk. Brakes that pull to one side during an ACC braking event may cause a sudden change in vehicle direction, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2023 Q3
Exterior lighting: brake lights
Risk. If the brake lights remain illuminated, drivers may be unaware when the truck is actually slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Headlights: bulbs
Risk. Melting components can increase the risk of fire.
Show 22 more recalls
repaired · 2023 Q1
Power train: clutch assembly
Risk. Unintended vehicle movement van increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2022 Q2
Supply: quick release valve
Risk. Brakes that pull to one side during automatic braking events may cause a sudden change in vehicle direction, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2022 Q1
Exterior lighting
Risk. The vehicle's rearward visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2021 Q3
Antilock: ABS warning light
Risk. Without the alert, an operator may not be aware of an active ABS/ESC malfunction and unknowingly operate the vehicle with reduced ABS/ESC function, increasing…
repaired · 2023 Q1
Supply: reservoir/tank
Risk. An insufficient air reservoir volume may reduce brake effectiveness, increasing the risk of crash.
repaired · 2020 Q3
Antilock: ABS warning light
Risk. Unknowingly operating a truck with an ABS malfunction may increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2021 Q2
Air bags: frontal
Risk. If the driver's frontal air bag deploys unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2021 Q2
Power train: clutch assembly
Risk. Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2020 Q4
Steering
Risk. Loose tie rod arm bolts may lead to separation of the tie rod arm, resulting in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2020 Q4
Exterior lighting: brake lights
Risk. If the brake lights remain activated, other drivers may be unaware that the vehicle is actually slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2020 Q3
Disc: caliper
Risk. Loose brake caliper mounting bolts can reduce brake effectiveness, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2020 Q1
Engine: diesel
Risk. If the fuel line bursts, fuel may leak onto the road resulting in a roadway hazard for other motorists.
repaired · 2020 Q2
Disc: caliper
Risk. Loose brake caliper mounting bolts can reduce brake effectiveness, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2020 Q2
Gear box: shaft pitman
Risk. If the pitman arm fractures there would be a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2020 Q4
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Risk. Without an ABS or ESC bulb check, the operator may unaware that the warning light bulbs are not working.
repaired · 2019 Q4
Disc: caliper
Risk. If the calipers detach, there would be reduced braking performance, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2019 Q4
Disc: caliper
Risk. If the brake caliper mounting bolts loosen, braking performance may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2019 Q4
Air bags: frontal
Risk. An incorrectly installed air bag may not function correctly in a crash, increasing 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 · 2019 Q3
Power train: automatic transmission
Risk. If the transmission cannot be shifted out of gear range 7 through 12, the engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2019 Q3
Steering
Do not driveRisk. A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2018 Q4
Equipment
Risk. If the tow hook fails without warning during a recovery operation, the sudden release of the vehicle may increase the risk of injury.
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
2018 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 2018 Freightliner Cascadia, and the recalls they led to.
- Automatic Emergency Braking ErrorsOpen
- Engine Electrical Wiring Harness ChafeNo recall
- Halogen Headlights May Cause FiresLed to recall 21V-357
- Automatic Emergency Braking ErrorsNo recall
- SAM Cab Water IntrusionNo recall
In owners' words
What Cascadia owners report
Recent exterior lighting complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The contact owns a 2018 Freightliner Cascadia. The contact stated that while the vehicle was turned off, the brake lights remained illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage…
Break lights stay on when truck is moving. It confuses drivers following the truck.other motorists would not know whether the truck is slowing down
Own a 2018 Cascadia?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.