FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA · model year

2008 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA

9 NHTSA complaints, and 22 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2008FREIGHTLINERCASCADIA carries 9 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2008 CASCADIA is steering with 7 filings, followed by visibility:windshield (1) and wheels (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 22 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 38 investigation files overlapping the 2008 CASCADIA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

9
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

9 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STEERING7
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD1
WHEELS1

Recalls (22)

17V76100028/11/2017

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2008-2018 Freightliner Cascadia, Western Star 4700, 4900, 5700, and 6900 trucks. After hard brake applications, the brake light pressure switch may not activate the brake lights with a light application of the brake pedal.

12V07400028/02/2012

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2013 FREIGHTLINER, STERLING, AND WESTERN STAR VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH DETROIT DIESEL EPA07 AND EPA10, DD13 AND DD15/16 ENGINES, MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 20, 2006, THROUGH FEBRUARY 20, 2012. THE PUMP TO RAIL HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE SUPPORT

08V02900028/01/2008

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, INCORRECT FASTENERS MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE CLAMPING FORCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE CALIPER AND BRAKE ANCHOR PLATE POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS.

10V34100027/07/2010

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2011 FREIGHTLINER, FCCC, STERLING, AND WESTERN STAR HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2006, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH SPECIFIC MBE900 EPA04 AND EPA07 MODEL ENGINES. THE INTAKE AIR GRID HEATER MAY SHORT CIRCUIT AND FAIL

09V37600023/09/2009

AIR BAGS

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2009 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH INDIANA MILLS AND MANUFACTURING ROLLTEK SIDE-ROLL PROTECTION SYSTEMS. THE SENSOR DESIGNED TO DETECT VEHICLE ROLL CAN MALFUNCTION AND CAUSE THE SIDE AIRBAGS TO INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY.

09V02400022/01/2009

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 14181 MY 2007-2009 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CAB SIGNAL-DETECT AND ACTIVATION MODULES (SAMS). POTENTIAL CORROSION DAMAGE DUE TO WATER INTRUSION INTO THE SAMS MAY CAUSE ELECTRICAL SHORTS OR INTERMITTENT OPERATION OF TAIL LAMPS, STOP LAMPS, SIDE MARKER LAM

07V59200021/12/2007

STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRW STEERING GEARS, MODELS TAS85 AND RCS85, THESE STEERING GEARS CONTAIN POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE SECTOR SHAFTS WITH AN INCORRECT GEAR TOOTH WHICH MAY INTERFERE WITH THE RACK-PISTON TEETH, RESULTING IN A STICK OR BIND CONDITION.

11V33000021/06/2011

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

DTNA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2012 FREIGHTLINER; CASCADIA, CENTURY CLASS, COLUMBIA, AND CORONADO, CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 STERLING; A-LINE AND L-LINE AND CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2012 WESTERN STAR CONSTELLATION VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH JUNE 15, 2011, BUIL

14V08000021/02/2014

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (Daimler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2015 Freightliner 114SD, Cascadia, M2 Business Class, Sterling LT8500, and Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX vehicles manufactured February 19, 2008, through February 11, 2014, and equipped with Cummins Westport Model I

11V47800016/09/2011

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2008 HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 11, 2003, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 28, 2007, EQUIPPED WITH EPA04 MODEL MBE4000 ENGINES BUILT WITH PLASTIC LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINES AND FUEL FILTERS MOUNTED NEAR THE CENTER OF THE ENGINE ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE

09V35700016/09/2009

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 29, 2005 THROUGH JULY 3, 2009. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITION, THE LEFT HAND INNER TIE ROD END MAY LOOSEN OVER TIME AND IF NOT CORRECTED, POTENTIALLY SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING RACK.

10V10200016/03/2010

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

DAIMLER TRUCKS HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 CASCADIA EQUIPPED WITH LIFEGUARD ROLLTEK ADVANCED OCCUPANT PROTECTION SYSTEM. THE LIFEGUARD ROLLTEK IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PROTECTION TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT AND IT MAY

17V81000015/12/2017

EQUIPMENT

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2002-2017 Freightliner Cascadia, Century Class, Columbia and Coronado trucks and Western Star 4700, 4900, 5700, 5900 and 6900 trucks. These vehicles are equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers tha

20V21400014/04/2020

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2006-2020 Freightliner Columbia, 2006-2021 Freightliner Business Class M2, 2007-2020 Freightliner Coronado, 2014-2021 Freightliner 122 SD, 2007 Sterling A 9500, 2006 Freightliner Argosy, 2006-2007 Sterling AT9500, 2008-2021 Freightliner Ca

11V51400013/10/2011

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA, COLUMBIA, CENTURY, CORONADO, AND CLASSIC XL TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 1, 2004, THROUGH JUNE 15, 2010 FOR THE RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM. THE LOWER PINION BEARING MAY CORRODE AND FAIL. A FAILED BEARING MAY

08V15900009/04/2008

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:AIR

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 900 MY 2008 FREIGHTLINER ARGOSY, ARGOSY RHD, CASCADIA, COLUMBIA, CENTURY ST, CORONADO, STERLING ACTERRA, L-LINE AND WESTERN STAR 4900 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX MV-3 DASH CONTROL VALVES. THE MOLDED VALVE BODY HAS AN INCORRECT CORE PIN IN THE INJECTION MOLD CAUSING THE V

09V40000008/10/2009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 FREIGHTLINER, STERLING AND WESTERN STAR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DETROIT DIESEL DD15 EPA07 ENGINES WHICH WERE MANUFACTURED WITH GRID HEATERS. INCREASED INTERNAL GRID HEATER RESISTANCE CAUSED BY IMPROPERLY TIGHTENED SCREWS MAY MELT THE SOLDER ON THE GR

11V46500008/09/2011

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2012 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2, CASCADIA, CENTURY, COLUMBIA, CORONADO AND STERLING A-LINE VEHICLES BUILT WITH MERITOR WABCO ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) SYSTEM MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 15, 2005 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1, 2011. UNDER CERTAI

10V18900007/05/2010

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA, CASCADIA, CORONADO, CENTURY, M2, STERLING 9500, AND WESTERN STAR 4900 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DD 13 AND DD15/DD16 ENGINES AND MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 1, 2007 THROUGH APRIL 5, 2010. SHOULD THE FUEL FILTER BECOM

09V39100006/10/2009

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2010 HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 17, 2006 AND MARCH 31, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH EPA07 MODEL MBE4000 ENGINES BUILT WITH PLASTIC LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINES. THE PLASTIC LINES MAY EXPERIENCE LEAKS DUE TO FATIGUE CRACKS CAUSED BY STRESS

15V12700004/03/2015

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Freightliner Cascadia trucks manufactured March 26, 2007, to August 31, 2010. Water may leak into the Signal-detection and Activation Module (SAM) Chassis causing corrosion which may result in electrical shorts or pos

11V14600003/03/2011

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2011 FREIGHTLINER, CASCADIA, CENTURY, COLUMBIA FLD, AND M2, STERLING 9500, AND WESTERN STAR 4900 HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 20, 2006, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH SPECIFIC MBE4000 EPA07 MODEL ENGINES. THE INTAKE AI

Recent Complaints

20210115STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, OIL LEAKED FROM THE RACK AND PINION. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER THE REPAIR. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V514000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 784,969.

Mileage: 784,969

20160330STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING GEAR BOX FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING GEAR BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V592000 (STEERING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 720,000.

Mileage: 720,000

20150330STEERING

THE LEFT TIE ROD END SEPARATED. *TR

Mileage: 598,000

20150330WHEELS

THE LEFT TIE ROD END SEPARATED. *TR

Mileage: 598,000

20140128STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2008 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V514000 (STEERING) AND REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING WHEN THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 666,640.

Mileage: 666,640

20110826STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE LOCAL MECHANIC FOR A WHEEL ALIGNMENT INSPECTION, THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE DRIVER SIDE RACK PINION INNER TIE ROD WAS SEPARATED DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIAL. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V357000 RECALL (STEERING: RACK AND PINION), AND DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,080 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,060.

Mileage: 42,080

20110105STEERING

I HAD MADE AN OBSERVATION THAT THE RS STEER TIRE WAS WEARING VERY FAST AND WORE A NEW TIRE DOWN TO THE WEAR BARS IN 2 MONTHS. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO A FREIGHTLINER FACILITY FOR AN ALIGNMENT. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THE RACK IN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING MECHANISMS WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT UNFORTUNATELY THEY DO NOT MAKE THIS PART ANY LONGER AND HAVE NO SERVICE PARTS. THERE IS NO REMEDY. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS PART WILL CONTINUE TO FAIL TO THE POINT WHERE IT BECOMES UNSAFE. I AM NOT A MECHANIC BUT I AM SURE THAT IF IT WEARS A TIRE DOWN IN 2 MONTHS THEN IT IS NOT SETUP PROPERLY AND SHOULD NOT BE TRUSTED. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAYS THAT AT THE CURRENT TIME IT IS SAFE. I WILL CONTINUE TO REPLACE THE RS STEER TIRE AND HAVE IT INSPECTED REGULARLY UNTIL EITHER FREIGHTLINER COMES UP WITH A RESOLUTION OR THAT THE NHTSA LOOKS INTO THIS PROBLEM AND DETERMINES IF THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR A RECALL THAT WILL FORCE FREIGHTLINER TO FIX IT. *TR

Mileage: 457,939

20091002STEERING

IN NOVEMBER OF 2008 WE SEEN OUR FIRST RACK AND PINION FAILURE. WE SEEN PREMATURE STEER TIRE WEAR ON THE RIGHTSIDE. CONTACTED FREIGHTLINER AND INSTALLED NEW RACKS AND THAT DIDN'T REPAIR THE PROBLEM. ON THE OTHER 18 WE INCURRED THE SAME PROBLEM SOME WORSE THE OTHERS. BY JULY WE COMPILED A AVERAGE OF STEER TIRE WEAR ON THE CASCADIA WAS 8,000 MILES TO THE BEST BEING 98,000. AT THIS POINT WE ARE WAITING FOR MORE ANSWERS TO OUR PROBLEM. WE HAVE THE NEW RECALL INFORMATION ,BUT WE HAVEN'T SEEN THE CURE OF THE RACK AND PINION YET. TODAY WE ARE CHECKING EACH UNIT EACH TIME THEY COME BACK AND IF THERE IS A LOOSE RACK WHEN STEERS ARE STRAIGHT FORWARD THEN THEY MUST BE REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 8,000

20090528VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V024000. HOWEVER, THE SAME CHASSIS ARE STILL RECEIVING WATER INSIDE THEM FROM THE WINDSHIELD, WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE AND THEY REPLACED THE COMPUTER BOARD. THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE BECAUSE IT CAN SHUT OFF ON THE HIGHWAY IN RAINY CONDITIONS AND CAUSE A CRASH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.

Mileage: 4,000

Compare 2008FREIGHTLINERCASCADIA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2008 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA have?
The 2008 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA has 9 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2008 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA?
Yes, the 2008 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA has 22 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA?
The most-complained component for the 2008 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA is STEERING with 7 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD and WHEELS.
Is the 2008 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.