The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has upgraded its investigation into false activations of Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) in Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) vehicles from a Preliminary Evaluation (PE23010) to an Engineering Analysis (EA25006). The escalation, announced on October 23, 2025, follows extensive data review suggesting potential safety implications.
- Investigation upgraded from Preliminary Evaluation (PE23010) to Engineering Analysis (EA25006).
- Covers 2017–2022 Daimler Trucks North America models, including Freightliner Cascadia and Western Star 5700.
- 347 reports reviewed: 24 crashes, 13 injuries, and one fatality linked to false AEB activation.
- Wabco OnGuard systems show lower claim rates than Detroit Assurance 2.0, 4.0, and 5.0 systems.
Background and Scope
Initially opened in May 2023, the investigation examined reports that DTNA trucks experienced inadvertent AEB activations—instances where the system engaged suddenly despite no visible obstruction, leading to unexpected deceleration during normal driving.
DTNA reported receiving 315 internal reports potentially linked to the issue. According to the manufacturer, most events were brief and typically resulted in a five-mile-per-hour deceleration.
The systems under review include:
- Detroit Assurance 2.0, 4.0, and 5.0
- Wabco OnGuard
ODI’s analysis revealed that Detroit Assurance systems fail at similar rates, while OnGuard-equipped vehicles demonstrate a significantly lower claim rate despite operating in comparable models and conditions.
Reported Consequences
NHTSA’s ODI has logged 32 consumer complaints tied to inadvertent AEB activation across 2017–2022 Freightliner Cascadia and Western Star 5700 vehicles.
In total, investigators reviewed 347 unique vehicle reports, which included:
- 24 crashes
- 13 injuries
- 1 fatality
Next Steps
The Engineering Analysis (EA25006) will assess the scope, frequency, and safety implications of these activations—particularly focusing on speed ranges, operational environments, and potential crash scenarios associated with false braking events.
This stage could lead to a recall or manufacturer corrective action, depending on findings regarding the risk of sudden deceleration during highway operation.
For further details or to review ODI documentation, visit NHTSA.gov.
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