18 000 Cascadia trucks recalled for brake caliper issue

Daimler Trucks North America is recalling more than 18,000 2018-2019 Freightliner Cascadia tractors for an issue with the brake calipers. The defect of the brakes increases the chance of malfunctioning, thus making a crash more likely. 

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recall documents, 18,105 Freightliner Cascadias manufactured between Jan. 2, 2017, and May 19, 2018 are affected. The brake caliper mounting bolts on these vehicles may not have been properly tightened, potentially resulting in the caliper detaching. In this situation, Daimler Trucks North America said, the vehicle would suffer from reduced braking performance, which can increase the risk of a crash.

Daimler will notify owners of affected trucks, beginning Aug. 13, 2018. Dealers will check the brake caliper mounting bolts and tighten them if needed. Customers will not be charged for the service. Deimler Trucks North America estimates that 25 percent of the recalled trucks have the defect. 

If you have any questions about this recall or you need more information regarding the problem and the affected models, you can contact Daimler Trucks North America customer service at 1-800-547-0712, referencing recall number FL-775. You can also learn more by calling the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s recalll number is 18V-411.

Interestingly enough, this is not the first time Daimler Trucks North America recalls trucks for loose brake caliper mounting bolts. In December last year, they recalled more than 3,000 model year 2018 Freightliner and Western Star trucks with brake caliper mounting bolts which may have not been properly tightened, potentially resulting in the caliper detaching and reducing braking performance. And again in December, Daimler Trucks North America recalled more than 400 000 Freightleiner and Western Star trucks due to a defect that could cause brake lights not to work. 

The month of July seems quite busy when talking about truck recalls. Earlier this month began the scheduled recalls for the more than 1000 Cascadia trucks with loose ari bag fasteners. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's recall document reveals the fasteners that secure the driver's air bag module within the steering wheel may not have been installed to specification, which can possibly affect the front air bag deployment in the event of a crash. 

Of course, the owners of the certain 2018-2019 Freightliner Cascadia trucks have been notified by the Daimler Trucks North America. As of the beggining of the month all affected trucks are recalled to have their air bag fasteners tightend to specifications. Of course, it will all be fixed free of charge. 

If you still have not been contacted and you think there is a problem with your 2018-2019 Freightliner Cascadia truck, you can contact Daimler Trucks North America's customer service at 800-547-0712 with recall number FL-771. You can also direct your question towards the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, their recall number is 18V-300.