Investigations
RQ17 - 008 Closing
NHTSA Recall Query RQ17008 — closed, opened 2017-09-18 and involving the FREIGHTLINER FREIGHTLINER.
NHTSA investigation RQ17008 is a Recall Query opened on 2017-09-18 and currently closed. The subject of record is FREIGHTLINER FREIGHTLINER, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for FREIGHTLINER. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2018-07-31 — NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Recall Query like RQ17008 evaluates whether a previously issued recall is actually fixing the problem. NHTSA opens an RQ when owners continue to report the original defect after the recall remedy is installed, or when completion rates fall short of the agency's expectations for that risk tier.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "On February 26, 2016, Bergstrom Inc. notified NHTSA of a safety defect in approximately 10,819 of its ParkSmart auxiliary electrical temperature management units. These units were installed on Freightliner Cascadia Class..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related FREIGHTLINER files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
On February 26, 2016, Bergstrom Inc. notified NHTSA of a safety defect in approximately 10,819 of its ParkSmart auxiliary electrical temperature management units. These units were installed on Freightliner Cascadia Class 8 trucks that may overheat due to high resistance, resulting in possible fires. One of the contributing factors which led to this recall was a plastic vented cap covering the compressor connectors allowing increased flow of air to the overheated connectors, which increased the risk of a fire. ParkSmart units equipped with non-vented caps, according to Bergstrom, were not affected. See Bergstrom recall 16E-017. On March 7, 2016, Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA), the parent company of Freightliner, filed its corresponding defect decision as to the impacted Freightliner trucks. DTNA identified 8,865 model year 2015-2016 Freightliner Cascadia trucks installed with the ParkSmart units. On September 18, 2017, the Recall Management Division (RMD), opened this investigation to resolve the discrepancy between the larger number of units Bergstrom recalled with the smaller number of trucks DTNA identified as impacted, and to pursue additional recall actions as needed. RMD issued an information request to DTNA on Oct. 26, 2017 inquiring about the discrepancy, as well as field experience information. DTNA filed several responses of different dates that provided shipping and distribution information as well as field reports. DTNA explained that their recalled population was comprised only of vehicles they had produced for the U.S. market. They identified that 1,282 vehicles were produced for the Canadian market, and 122 vehicles for the Mexican market. DTNA said that the remaining balance of parts were likely supplied to parts depots for service (service loops) for other purchasers, such as Freightliner dealers sourcing custom vehicle requests. RMD also requested and reviewed shipping and distribution materials from Bergstrom. These materials identified Park S
About This Investigation Type
A Recall Query (RQ) evaluates the effectiveness of a previously issued recall. NHTSA opens an RQ when consumer complaints suggest that a recall remedy may not be adequately addressing the safety issue, or when the recall completion rate appears insufficient.
Other FREIGHTLINER Investigations
EVDM connector plate separation
Halogen Headlights May Cause Fires
Trolley bus circuit breaker fires
Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Failure
Intermittent Loss of Power Steering Assist
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.