My main concern is whether the brake modulator valve recall is related to recurring brake problems on our 2019 Freightliner Cascadia. I am asking the federal safety agency to investigate whether the recalled valve contributed to the defects found during a roadside inspection and whether the recall repair addresses the risk of these problems happening again. On November 2, 2026, an Illinois roadside inspector placed the truck out of service after finding a leaking brake chamber, a brake out of adjustment, and an inoperative automatic slack adjuster. Before departure, the driver performed a pre-trip inspection with the engine running. The driver reported hearing no air leak and noticing no loss of air pressure or difficulty braking. It is unknown whether a dashboard warning appeared. The repair shop confirmed that the brake chamber was leaking air. All three cited defects were corrected. Similar brake problems have occurred on this truck before. My concern is that they could recur while the truck is in service and affect its ability to stop safely before the driver notices a problem. The connection to the recalled valve remains unconfirmed.
2019 Freightliner Cascadia driver assistance problems
11 complaints (37% of all complaints for this car).
- owner complaints
- 11
- of this car's complaints
- 37%
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Automatic emergency braking7
- Warnings5
- Adaptive cruise control3
- Warning1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Freightliner Cascadia driver assistance problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2019 Freightliner Cascadia driver assistance
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Electronic stability control (ESC)
- What is wrong
- Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2017-2023 Freightliner Cascadia, 2020-2023 Western Star 49X, 2021-2023 Western Star 47X, and 2022 Freightliner 114SD vehicles. The brake modulator valves on the front axle may corrode and cause the vehicle to pull to the affected side during braking initiated by Electronic Stability Control (ESC) or Roll Stability Control (RSC).
- Risk
- Brakes that pull to one side may cause a sudden change in vehicle direction, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the front brake modulator valves, as necessary. Some vehicles will have a software update which will alert driver when a replacement is required. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning October 13, 2023. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1‑800‑547‑0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL966.
Recall number 23V073000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Automatic Emergency Braking Errors
On May 26, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE23010) to assess reports of false positive activation of the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system in model year (MY) 2017-2022 Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) vehicles. The reports alleged that activation of the AEB system occurred while driving with no apparent obstruction in the vehicle's forward path, resulting in sudden vehicle deceleration. DTNA indicated that it received of a total of 315 reports that may relate to the alleged defect in MY 2017-2022 DTNA vehicles. DTNA stated that the vast majority of false positive activation of the subject systems occur in very limited durations and result in a five mile per hour deceleration. ODI considered four AEB systems offered by DTNA: Detroit Assurance 2.0, Detroit Assurance 4.0, Detroit Assurance 5.0, and Wabco OnGuard. ODIâs analysis shows that of the Detroit Assurance versions, all are failing at similar rates. The OnGuard AEB systems equipped on the same model and model year vehicles have experienced a significantly lower claim rate. To date, ODI has received a total of 32 consumer complaints of inadvertent activation of AEB in MY 2017-2022 DTNA vehicles. In total, ODI reviewed 347 unique (i.e., non-duplicative Vehicle Identification Numbers) reports that may relate to the alleged defect, which include 24 reports involving a crash, 13 reports involving an alleged injury and one report with a fatality. PE23010 has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis to further assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety related consequences of the inadvertent AEB activations in MY 2017-2022 DTNA vehicles. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to
EA25006
Automatic Emergency Braking Errors
On May 26, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE23010) to assess reports of false positive activation of the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system in model year (MY) 2017-2022 Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) vehicles. The reports alleged that activation of the AEB system occurred while driving with no apparent obstruction in the vehicle's forward path, resulting in unexpected and sudden vehicle deceleration. ODI sent an information request letter to DTNA on June 15, 2023.In its September 1, 2023, response, DTNA indicated that it received of a total of 315 reports that may relate to the alleged defect in MY 2017-2022 DTNA vehicles. DTNA stated that the vast majority of false positive activation of the subject systems occur for very limited durations and result in a five mile per hour deceleration. ODI considered four AEB systems offered by DTNA: Detroit Assurance 2.0, Detroit Assurance 4.0, Detroit Assurance 5.0, and Wabco OnGuard. ODIâs analysis shows that of the Detroit Assurance versions, all fail at similar rates. The Wabco OnGuard AEB systems equipped on the same model and model year vehicles have experienced a significantly lower claim rate. To date, ODI has received a total of 32 consumer complaints of inadvertent activation of AEB in MY 2017-2022 DTNA vehicles. In total, ODI reviewed 347 unique (i.e., non-duplicative Vehicle Identification Number) reports that may relate to the alleged defect, which include 24 involving a crash, 13 reports involving an alleged injury and one report with a fatality. PE23010 has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA25006) to further assess the scope, frequency, and nature of the inadvertent AEB activations in MY 2017-2022 Freightliner Cascadia and Western Star 5700 vehicles.In particular, this EA will assess the safety consequences likely to arise in the scenarios during which the AEB inadvertently and unexpectedly activates, such as the speeds and conditions during which the activation occurs. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to
PE23010
What 2019 Freightliner Cascadia owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
Truck will apply brakes when no objects or vehicles are around. It is very scary and unexpected when the system does this.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Questions about the 2019 Freightliner Cascadia driver assistance
Does the 2019 Freightliner Cascadia have driver assistance problems?
Owners have filed 11 complaints about the driver assistance of the 2019 Freightliner Cascadia, 37% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2019 Freightliner Cascadia driver assistance problems start?
Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.
Was there a recall on the 2019 Freightliner Cascadia driver assistance?
Yes, 1 recall: 23V073000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Freightliner Cascadia have the most driver assistance problems?
The Freightliner Cascadia model years with the most driver assistance complaints are 2019 (11 complaints) and 2020 (11 complaints).
Other 2019 Freightliner Cascadia problems
Brakes 11Steering 6Body 4Acceleration 3Engine 3Lights 3Suspension 3Fuel system 2Electrical 1Visibility 1
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