FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA · model year

2016 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA

22 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports, and 12 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2016FREIGHTLINERCASCADIA carries 22 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 7 fires, 2 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 2016 CASCADIA is engine with 4 filings, followed by unknown or other (3) and steering (3). 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 12 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 2016 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.

22
Complaints
2
Crashes
7
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

22 filings

Crashes Reported

2 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
STEERING3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
STRUCTURE:BODY2
POWER TRAIN1
AIR BAGS1
VISIBILITY/WIPER1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS1
EQUIPMENT1
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DRUM:S-CAM1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1

Recalls (12)

16V63400031/08/2016

POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2014-2017 Freightliner M2 Business Class, 108 SD, 114 SD, Cascadia, Coronado, Western Star 4700, 4800, and 5700 XE trucks manufactured March 15, 2013, to July 29, 2016 and equipped with Conmet aluminum non-high capacity hubs. T

15V61300030/09/2015

STEERING:LINKAGES:ARM:IDLER AND ATTACHMENT

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2016 Freightliner Cascadia, Business Class M2, 108SD, 114SD, 122SD, Coronado Glider, and Columbia Glider vehicles manufactured June 29, 2015, to September 7, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the steering arm bolts may not be pro

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.

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

19V37000014/05/2019

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:RESERVOIR/TANK

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2004-2019 Freightliner 108SD, 114SD, 122SD, Cascadia, Columbia, Classic, FL80, FLD 120SD, Business Class M2, Western Star 4700, 4900, 6900, Sterling Acterra, L7500, LT7500, L8500, LT8500, L9500, and LT9500 vehicles. The vehicles may have

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

16V65600013/09/2016

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC. (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Freightliner Cascadia vehicles manufactured September 24, 2012, to May 27, 2015 and equipped with compressed natural gas (CNG) engines. The affected vehicles have a Power Distribution Module (PDM) that is mounted ne

19V09300012/02/2019

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Freightliner Cascadia vehicles equipped with Hendrickson 5" drop axles. In certain front axle, brake lining, and brake spider combinations, braking may cause high vibrations, resulting in early failure of the tie-rod tube.

16V14300009/03/2016

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Freightliner Cascadia trucks manufactured from March 24, 2014, through November 9, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with Bergstrom Parksmart HVAC auxiliary units. On these units, there may be inadequate conta

17V62800006/10/2017

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2016 Western Star 4900 and Freightliner Cascadia vehicles, equipped with certain Spicer D-Series and E-Series steer axles. The castellated nut on the steer axles may not be properly torqued, allowing the tie rod to loosen.

15V62000002/10/2015

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2016 Freightliner Cascadia, Business Class M2, 108SD, 114SD, and 122SD, Western Star 4700 and 4900, Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, and Freightliner MT55 vehicles manufactured August 7, 2015, to August 26, 2015. The affected

15V61700001/10/2015

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Freightliner Cascadia, Business Class M2, 108SD, 114SD, and Western Star 4700 trucks manufactured January 4, 2015, to April 24, 2015, and equipped with Eaton Fuller FR 10-speed manual transmissions. In the affected v

Recent Complaints

20250831UNKNOWN OR OTHER

There is a defect on the Freightliner Cascadia Oil Pump Manifold aka Oil Pickup Tube which causes engine failure and will go out without warning

20250107ENGINE

Injector cup started leaking damaging injectors and causing cross contamination between fuel and coolant. This is a know problem for the isx and cummins should pay for the repair

20250107FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Injector cup started leaking damaging injectors and causing cross contamination between fuel and coolant. This is a know problem for the isx and cummins should pay for the repair

20241023EQUIPMENT

The contact owns a 2016 Freightliner Cascadia. The contact stated that while a driver was attempting to exit parking lot, the S-Cam 2 and S-Cam support bracket independently detached. No warning light was illuminated. A local independent mechanic arrived on scene to inspect the vehicle and it was determined that the S-Cam bracket and S-Cam mount needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V338000 (Equipment) however, the VIN was not included. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 700,000.

Mileage: 700,000

20241023SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DRUM:S-CAM

The contact owns a 2016 Freightliner Cascadia. The contact stated that while a driver was attempting to exit parking lot, the S-Cam 2 and S-Cam support bracket independently detached. No warning light was illuminated. A local independent mechanic arrived on scene to inspect the vehicle and it was determined that the S-Cam bracket and S-Cam mount needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V338000 (Equipment) however, the VIN was not included. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 700,000.

Mileage: 700,000

20230412ENGINE

The contact owns a 2016 Freightliner Cascadia. The contact stated that while her worker was driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was then towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine control module (ECM), engine, and an unknown fuse needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 600,000.

Mileage: 600,000

20220729STEERING

______________________________________________________________________________ Last October 2021 I bought truck Freightliner Cascadia 2016. Vin # [XXX]. Mileage: 477400. Last my trip I made in May 2022 from Nogales, AZ to Boise, ID When I approaching Ely, NV about 5-8 miles I drive down from the mountain hill . I used speed 25-30 MPH, suddenly my steering wheel was locked and did not made right turn. I used hardly brake because my truck was out of control and pulled forward shoulder out of highway. Only because I hardly used brake I save my lives. When I stopped before roll over from highway I lightly make right turn steering wheel and left turn steering wheel was unlocked. When I reach Loves truck Stop in Ely, NV it is repeated 3 times. I just lightly made right turn steering wheel and left turn wheel unlocked again. Now I want to inform You Freightliner Cascadia 2016 is very danger truck to use on road in the USA. Inventors from freightliner must recall this truck and fined out mist

20220729FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

______________________________________________________________________________ Last October 2021 I bought truck Freightliner Cascadia 2016. Vin # [XXX]. Mileage: 477400. Last my trip I made in May 2022 from Nogales, AZ to Boise, ID When I approaching Ely, NV about 5-8 miles I drive down from the mountain hill . I used speed 25-30 MPH, suddenly my steering wheel was locked and did not made right turn. I used hardly brake because my truck was out of control and pulled forward shoulder out of highway. Only because I hardly used brake I save my lives. When I stopped before roll over from highway I lightly make right turn steering wheel and left turn steering wheel was unlocked. When I reach Loves truck Stop in Ely, NV it is repeated 3 times. I just lightly made right turn steering wheel and left turn wheel unlocked again. Now I want to inform You Freightliner Cascadia 2016 is very danger truck to use on road in the USA. Inventors from freightliner must recall this truck and fined out mist

20211002FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Truck was parked for about 5-6 hours on yard and randomly catching fire and burns up , see similar year make and model had similar things happen and was recalled my truck was manufactured in the time period of the other recalls but I didn’t get a letter please advise

20210128FireSTRUCTURE:BODY

I AM A FIRE INVESTIGATOR WITH ONONDAGA COUNTY FIRE INVESTIGATION UNIT. RECENTLY I HAD TWO FIRES WITH SIMILAR VEHICLES BOTH WERE 2016 FREIGHTLINERS CASCADIA 125 BOTH WERE PARKED AND NOT RUNNING AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE EVENTS. BOTH ORIGIN AND CAUSE INVESTIGATIONS APPEARED TO REVEAL A FAILURE/MALFUNCTION AT THE WHAT HAS BEEN DESCRIBED TO ME AS BEING THE POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULAR (PDM). BOTH RESULTED IN THE VEHICLES BEING DESTROYED BY FIRE.*DT*JB*JB*JB*JB*JB

Mileage: 313,882

20210128FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I AM A FIRE INVESTIGATOR WITH ONONDAGA COUNTY FIRE INVESTIGATION UNIT. RECENTLY I HAD TWO FIRES WITH SIMILAR VEHICLES BOTH WERE 2016 FREIGHTLINERS CASCADIA 125 BOTH WERE PARKED AND NOT RUNNING AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE EVENTS. BOTH ORIGIN AND CAUSE INVESTIGATIONS APPEARED TO REVEAL A FAILURE/MALFUNCTION AT THE WHAT HAS BEEN DESCRIBED TO ME AS BEING THE POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULAR (PDM). BOTH RESULTED IN THE VEHICLES BEING DESTROYED BY FIRE.*DT*JB*JB*JB*JB*JB

Mileage: 313,882

20210128FireENGINE

I AM A FIRE INVESTIGATOR WITH ONONDAGA COUNTY FIRE INVESTIGATION UNIT. RECENTLY I HAD TWO FIRES WITH SIMILAR VEHICLES BOTH WERE 2016 FREIGHTLINERS CASCADIA 125 BOTH WERE PARKED AND NOT RUNNING AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE EVENTS. BOTH ORIGIN AND CAUSE INVESTIGATIONS APPEARED TO REVEAL A FAILURE/MALFUNCTION AT THE WHAT HAS BEEN DESCRIBED TO ME AS BEING THE POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULAR (PDM). BOTH RESULTED IN THE VEHICLES BEING DESTROYED BY FIRE.*DT*JB*JB*JB*JB*JB

Mileage: 313,882

20210128FireSTRUCTURE:BODY

I AM A FIRE INVESTIGATOR WITH ONONDAGA COUNTY NY RECENTLY I HAD TWO SEPARATE FIRES IN SIMILAR VEHICLES (SEE NHTSA COMPLIANT # 11390543) BOTH ORIGIN AND CAUSE INVESTIGATIONS REVEALED A MALFUNCTION/FAILURE IN WHAT HAS BEEN DESCRIBED TO ME AS A POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULAR (PDM) BOTH VEHICLES WERE TOTALLY DESTROYED BY THE RESULTING FIRE. BOTH VEHICLES WERE PARKED AND NOT RUNNING AT THE TIME OF EVENT.*DT*JB*JB*JB*JB CONSUMER BELIEVES THE MELTING SNOW WHICH ENTERED THE ELECTRIC COMPONENTS WAS CONTRIBUTING FACTOR THAT CAUSED THE FIRE.*JB

Mileage: 200,000

20210128FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I AM A FIRE INVESTIGATOR WITH ONONDAGA COUNTY NY RECENTLY I HAD TWO SEPARATE FIRES IN SIMILAR VEHICLES (SEE NHTSA COMPLIANT # 11390543) BOTH ORIGIN AND CAUSE INVESTIGATIONS REVEALED A MALFUNCTION/FAILURE IN WHAT HAS BEEN DESCRIBED TO ME AS A POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULAR (PDM) BOTH VEHICLES WERE TOTALLY DESTROYED BY THE RESULTING FIRE. BOTH VEHICLES WERE PARKED AND NOT RUNNING AT THE TIME OF EVENT.*DT*JB*JB*JB*JB CONSUMER BELIEVES THE MELTING SNOW WHICH ENTERED THE ELECTRIC COMPONENTS WAS CONTRIBUTING FACTOR THAT CAUSED THE FIRE.*JB

Mileage: 200,000

20210128FireENGINE

I AM A FIRE INVESTIGATOR WITH ONONDAGA COUNTY NY RECENTLY I HAD TWO SEPARATE FIRES IN SIMILAR VEHICLES (SEE NHTSA COMPLIANT # 11390543) BOTH ORIGIN AND CAUSE INVESTIGATIONS REVEALED A MALFUNCTION/FAILURE IN WHAT HAS BEEN DESCRIBED TO ME AS A POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULAR (PDM) BOTH VEHICLES WERE TOTALLY DESTROYED BY THE RESULTING FIRE. BOTH VEHICLES WERE PARKED AND NOT RUNNING AT THE TIME OF EVENT.*DT*JB*JB*JB*JB CONSUMER BELIEVES THE MELTING SNOW WHICH ENTERED THE ELECTRIC COMPONENTS WAS CONTRIBUTING FACTOR THAT CAUSED THE FIRE.*JB

Mileage: 200,000

20191216VISIBILITY/WIPER

IN 01/2019 THE ARM FROM MOTOR TO WIPER LINKAGE FAILED AND WIPERS STOPPED DURING A SNOW STORM ON I-79, OUTSIDE OF PITTSBURG, PA. WAS ABLE TO SAFELY GET TO AN EXIT OFF RAMP TO PARK AND INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE. REPLACED THE MOTOR AND LINKAGE AS RECOMMENDED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. NOW 11 MONTHS LATER, WIPERS STOP COMPLETELY FOR NO REASON AT ALL. WHEN I TURN THE WIPERS BACK OFF, THEN BACK ON, STILL NOTHING. IMMEDIATELY I PULL VEHICLE TO SHOULDER TO INVESTIGATE, BUT COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. I RESTART VEHICLE AND TO MY SURPRISE THE WIPERS BEGIN TO WORK. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN TWO WEEKS, BOTH TIMES IN HEAVY RAIN. ONCE ON NEW YORK THRUWAY HEADING SOUTH JUST NORTH OF THE MAHWAH REST AREA AND THEN ON I-87, NORTHWAY AT EXIT 4. BOTH TIMES I WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY CORRECT THE ISSUE BY TURNING OFF THE TRUCK FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN RESTARTING. THE WIPERS BEGAN WORKING AGAIN AFTER THAT. VERY FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO MOVE VEHICLE TO SHOULDER TO INVESTIGATE BOTH TIMES. WIPERS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE

Mileage: 424,536

20170707CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BOOM NOISE BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE LOCATION OF THE NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DRIFTED TO THE LEFT AND THEN INDEPENDENTLY DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE SLAMMED INTO A GUARDRAIL AND BOUNCED INTO A WALL, WHICH DAMAGED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY AND BODY ACHES, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V613000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 09/07/17*LJ *CN

Mileage: 100,000

20170707CrashSTEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BOOM NOISE BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE LOCATION OF THE NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DRIFTED TO THE LEFT AND THEN INDEPENDENTLY DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE SLAMMED INTO A GUARDRAIL AND BOUNCED INTO A WALL, WHICH DAMAGED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY AND BODY ACHES, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V613000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 09/07/17*LJ *CN

Mileage: 100,000

20170503POWER TRAIN

MULTIPLE VEHICLE RECALLS THAT HAVE COSTED ME THOUSANDS FROM EXCESSIVE OPERATING COST , AND HAVE BEEN ENDANGERING MY LIFE SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT MY TRACTOR:-(

20170503STEERING

MULTIPLE VEHICLE RECALLS THAT HAVE COSTED ME THOUSANDS FROM EXCESSIVE OPERATING COST , AND HAVE BEEN ENDANGERING MY LIFE SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT MY TRACTOR:-(

Compare 2016FREIGHTLINERCASCADIA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2016 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA have?
The 2016 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA has 22 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 7 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2016 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA?
Yes, the 2016 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA has 12 recall(s). The most common affected component is POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA?
The most-complained component for the 2016 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA is ENGINE with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include UNKNOWN OR OTHER and STEERING.
Is the 2016 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.