PORTLAND, Ore. – Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) has agreed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to recall 164,317 Freightliner Cascadia trucks due to a potential brake issue.
According to NHTSA Recall Report 20V390: on certain model year 2017-2020 of the Class 8 trucks chemical corrosion could affect the functionality of the single brake modulator valve, which may result in slow release timing of brakes on the affected side.
Should this occur during a braking request (such as during automatic braking events), it could lead to a brake pull resulting in a sudden change in vehicle direction due to uneven braking on the front axle. Such an action increases the risk of a motor vehicle crash.
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Electronic stability control, forward collision avoidance and automatic emergency braking as features that could be affected by the errant valve, according to DTNA
The company said it was reacting out of “an abundance of caution” to eight reported failures since the initial claim in May 2019.
The issue came to light last year with a report to DTNA of a vehicle pulling to the right due to an unknown cause during braking. Investigation by DTNA and the supplier of the valve later in the year determined the basis of the issue and DTNA made some production adjustments to reduce the potential of valve corrosion.
DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will perform repairs free of charge. As of July 8, the manufacturer had not yet provided the repair procedures, according to NHTSA.
