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.
2019 Freightliner CascadiaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 30 owner complaints about the 2019 Freightliner Cascadia, most often about the forward collision avoidance. It is covered by 29 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 November 5, 2026. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2019 Freightliner Cascadia has problems
30 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
11Forward collision avoidance1 crash/fire/injury
10Service brakes2 crash/fire/injury
6Steering2 crash/fire/injury
4Structure2 crash/fire/injury
3Engine1 crash/fire/injury
3Vehicle speed control
3Exterior lighting
3Suspension1 crash/fire/injury
2Fuel/propulsion system
44 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Forward collision avoidance | 11 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 10 | 2 |
| Steering | 6 | 2 |
| Structure | 4 | 2 |
| Engine | 3 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 1 |
| 4 other systems | 4 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
29 recalls
2019 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 Q3
Link: connection
Risk. Drag link separation can cause a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Show 25 more recalls
repaired · 2023 Q4
12v/24v/48v battery: cables
Risk. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Headlights: bulbs
Risk. Melting components can increase the risk of fire.
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 · 2022 Q1
Disc: caliper
Risk. Loose brake caliper mounting bolts can reduce brake effectiveness, 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 · 2021 Q2
Service brakes
Risk. Damage to the brake airlines can cause reduced brake effectiveness, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2023 Q1
Supply: reservoir/tank
Risk. An insufficient air reservoir volume may reduce brake effectiveness, increasing the risk of crash.
repaired · 2021 Q1
Service brakes, air: disc
Risk. Loose brake caliper mounting bolts may reduce the 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 · 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 · 2021 Q2
Power train: clutch assembly
Risk. Unintended vehicle movement can increase 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 Q3
Steering
Risk. If the steering wheel detaches, there would be a loss of vehicle control, 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 · 2020 Q2
Tires
Risk. Tires that have cords visible through the innerliner can have sudden air loss, causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2019 Q2
Tires
Risk. Tires with visible cords through the innerliner may have a sudden loss of air, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
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
2019 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
6 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2019 Freightliner Cascadia, and the recalls they led to.
- Automatic Emergency Braking ErrorsOpen
- Intermittent Loss of Power Steering AssistNo recall
- 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 forward collision avoidance complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
My main concern is whether the brake modulator valve recall is related to recurring brake problems on our 2019 Freightliner Cascadia. I am asking NHTSA to investigate whether the recalled valve contributed to the defects found during a roadside inspection and whether the recall repair addresses the…
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.
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.
Own a 2019 Cascadia?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.