no report yet
Electronic stability control (ESC)
NewRisk. Brakes that pull to one side may cause a sudden change in vehicle direction, increasing the risk of a crash.
2020 Freightliner CascadiaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 26 owner complaints about the 2020 Freightliner Cascadia, most often about the forward collision avoidance. It is covered by 21 safety recalls, and for recall 20V-214 the manufacturer reports only 50% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 9, 2026. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2020 Freightliner Cascadia has problems
26 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
11Forward collision avoidance2 crash/fire/injury
7Service brakes2 crash/fire/injury
5Tires
4Electrical system
2Vehicle speed control
2Engine and engine cooling
2Steering
1Communication
1Structure
33 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Forward collision avoidance | 11 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 7 | 2 |
| Tires | 5 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 |
| Communication | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 |
| 3 other systems | 3 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
21 recalls
2020 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 Q1
Electronic stability control (ESC)
Risk. Understeering during a J-turn may increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2025 Q1
Exterior lighting
Risk. Hazard warning lights that flash improperly may cause confusion for other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2025 Q1
Link: connection
Risk. Drag link separation can cause a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Show 17 more recalls
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.
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 · 2024 Q2
Other: labels
Risk. An overloaded vehicle can increase 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.
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 · 2022 Q4
Tires
Risk. Tread separation and/or blow-outs while driving may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2022 Q3
Axle: spindle
Risk. A missing or improperly installed locking snap ring can result in wheel-end failure and potentially a wheel-off/separation condition, increasing the risk of…
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 · 2020 Q2
Disc: chamber
Risk. A detached brake chamber can cause reduced 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 · 2021 Q2
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Risk. The incorrect gear selection display may cause the operator to falsely assume that the truck is in neutral, possibly resulting in the truck moving…
repaired · 2021 Q2
Air bags: frontal
Risk. If the driver's frontal air bag deploys unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of a 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
2020 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 2020 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 forward collision avoidance complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
While driving on the highway on cruise at 70mph the right front brakes locked up. The day was clear. I was driving across a bridge. The truck pulled to the right and I fought to pull it back on to the road. My company has the incident on camera. I was pulling a loaded tanker. Had the pavement been…
A collision avoidance system (CAS), also known as a pre-crash system, forward collision warning system (FCW), or collision mitigation system, is an advanced driver-assistance system designed to prevent or reduce the severity of a collision. System applied brakes bringing our Unit to a complete stop…
Semi was traveling on the highway and transporting a 48,000 pound steel coil. The steel coil was secured with 4 chains. The automatic emergency braking system engaged with nothing in front of the vehicle, causing it to suddenly come to a dead stop in traffic. This caused the steel coil to break…
Own a 2020 Cascadia?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.