Freightliner Cascadia wipers problems

Filed Dec 16, 2019 · Visibility · 424,536 miles · NY

In 01/2019 the arm from motor to wiper linkage failed and wipers stopped during a snow storm on I-79, outside of pittsburg, pa. Was able to safely get to an exit off ramp to park and investigate the issue. Replaced the motor and linkage as recommended to remedy the problem. Now 11 months later, wipers stop completely for no reason at all. When I turn the wipers back off, then back on, still nothing. Immediately I pull vehicle to shoulder to investigate, but could find nothing wrong. I restart vehicle and to my surprise the wipers begin to work. This has happened twice in two weeks, both times in heavy rain. Once on new york thruway heading south just north of the mahwah rest area and then on I-87, northway at exit 4. Both times I was able to successfully correct the issue by turning off the truck for a few minutes then restarting. The wipers began working again after that. Very fortunate to be able to move vehicle to shoulder to investigate both times. Wipers are very important to the safe operation of a vehicle and should be taken seriously. The motor and linkage doesn't even have a year from the time it was installed. Everything looks good on linkage, nothing binding or catching, also fuses are good. All wiring good as well. Thank you

Filed Aug 5, 2019 · Electrical · 662,371 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 freightliner cascadia. The contact stated that the hazard lights malfunctioned, the windshield wipers did not work, the electrical system failed, and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to lou brochordt freightliner (2840 center port cir #102, pompano beach, fl 33064, (954) 545-1000), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 662,371. *tt

Filed Jan 7, 2019 · Visibility · 15,000 miles · OH

Possible year manufacturing defect. Real-world conditions effectively disable visabilty of drivers side mirror. During most rain events water from the action of the windshield wipers to the driver side, causes that water to collect on driver's window. At 60 MPH. That water creates a obstruction of that mirror assembly. Although temporary, this can last for minutes.

Filed Oct 19, 2018 · Visibility · 45,000 miles · TN

When using wipers they will quit working periodically I can switch to high speed or to intermittent and they will work I can also push the washer fluid button in real quick and they will start working again they may work for a few seconds and quit again and they may work a few minutes and quit again. Freightliner in kingsport tn checked it out on a dry day and said nothing wrong I think it's a problem when it's raining something is getting wet and stopping a complete connection this is a major problem in a 80 thousand pound vehicle to not be able to see when raining

Filed May 2, 2017 · Electrical · 433,991 miles · CA

We have had the windshield replaced approx 7 times and the windshield continues to leak. We also had the entire gasket replaced the windshield still leaks. A week ago it poured down rain resulting in the city horn to go off and would not turn off. Then the windshield wipers began running at full speed even tho the selector was set to off. Then the windshield washer fluid motor began running non stop. The truck was taken to springfield freightliner in springfield, missouri. After inspection the "sam cab" was corroded due to water and the sam cab had water in it. There was a recall on previous cascadia's for this exact reason.

Filed Feb 4, 2017 · Visibility · 250,000 miles · CA

Wiper reservoir becomes heated due to dpf system which creates pressure within the system. As a result it forces wiper fluid from the nozzles draining the system most times undetected. Resulting in the inability to clean the window when it becomes fouled. Due to the reservoir bottles location you cannot observe the fluid level this is also hindered due to the plastic becoming stained blue by the wiper fluid over time. There is also no indicator that wiper fluid level is low from within the cab. This occurs both when the vehicle is in motion or stopped when the vehicle performs a "regeneration" of the dpf system.

Filed Sep 21, 2012 · Visibility · MA

This summary was written by odi's bowman after phone interview with complainant: primary alleged issue: (1) limited front visibility due to limited area swept by wipers [odi note: see the photos in which the complainant masked the windshield with newspaper to illustrate the compromised visibility claim]. More specifically, the complainant states that the reason for the restricted area of visibility is caused by the split windshield design and that the condition is exacerbated by accumulation of hardened road salt, etc. Spray, typical of the environmental conditions experienced in northeastern USA winter driving; (2) other issues identified by the complainant: (a) delay in release of cruise control on application of brakes; (b) air pressure loss while driving [odi note: reportedly, the compressor maintains sufficient on-board air pressure and volume for vehicle system requirements such as braking, etal]: the complaint questions where (specifically) the air losses are occurring and whether the observed air-loss could indicate a condition that may pose a future vehicle safety concern; (c) the spray from the windshield coats the outside rear mirrors limiting side and rear visibility. ..updated 09/24/12

Filed Nov 17, 2010 · Visibility · 150,000 miles · NJ

It appears that a leak in the windshield has caused the computer/electronics to go haywire while driving in a rain storm. Wipers would stop working, engine shut down lights would come on and off, windshield washers just started shooting fluid onto the windshield, check engine light came on and didn't go off. Several other electrical components stopped working. The computer and fuse block was replaced. Prior to the major problems they tried to repair the leak 4 times. The 5th time they thought they found the leak in a marker light above the windshield however that may have been just another leak because the leak is still there after driving in a storm yesterday.

Filed Mar 12, 2010 · Electrical · FL

2010 freightliner cascadia. Consumer states vehicle is unsafe to drive due to electrical malfunctions, causing sudden, unexpected loss of power, or loss of use of wipers. Tgw

Filed Feb 7, 2009 · Acceleration · 950 miles · NJ

It appears that the cruise control on my truck does not work when the headlights, wipers or flashers are on. There are no warnings, notices, stickers or documentation that came with the truck advising that this would occur. It's my understanding that this is a safety feature incorporated into all new freightliner trucks but they neglect to tell you before or after getting one. 2 occurrences when I was taken by surprise that the cruise control stopped working when using the flashers and wipers. First: this cruise control issue almost got me killed when I went to acknowledge another driver who flashed his lights to let me back into the right lane after passing him. I used the four way flasher to thank him however when I did the trucks cruise control stopped working and the engine brake slowed me down and the driver that had just let me in front of him almost ran into the back of the truck. Second: it occurred again when after a snow storm and the roads were dry but snow had been melting so there were spots on the roadway that were wet and when a vehicle passed me water would splash up on the windshield and I used the wiper to clear up the windshield and again the cruise control stopped working and again I slowed down although this time there was no one that close behind me. But it did take me by surprise and I lost my concentration of driving trying to see what had happen.