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BrakesPart report

2020 Freightliner Cascadia Brakes Problems

Complaints
7about this part
Share
27%of 26 total for the year
Median mileage
—not reported
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the brakes of the 2020 Freightliner Cascadia, 27% of the 26 complaints for this model year. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 7 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Ascending Tehachapi Pass CA Hwy 58 Eastbound in the left lane grossing 45,000lbs and traveling at 55mph with cruise control ON. I was passing another slower moving truck(~35-40mph). Before I came along the other vehicle the highway curved to the left. The Collision Aviodance System(CAS) didn't alarm, however the cruise control cut power and Automatic Emergency Braking(AEB) hardbraked my truck reducing the speed from 55mph to 40-45mph. This was sudden and unexpected. Once I determined the issue, I applied throttle overriding the AEB/CAS. …”

NHTSA complaint #11522762, filed 2023-05

“On Off ramp I-40 W Segliman, AZ there was a cattle guard 10 feet before Stop sign. I was braking for Stop Sign. AEB(aka CAS Collision Aviodance System) detected the cattle guard grate as obstruction, not something flat of the pavement, and apply maximum braking(Note: I was already braking). It had been snowing that night thou at this location the road was dry. Unnecessary panic braking by automated system can cause lose of control of vehicles on wet and icy surfaces. How is it safe for the AEB/CAS system to over ride the operator's action? …”

NHTSA complaint #11513719, filed 2023-03

“A collision avoidance system (CAS), also known as a pre-crash system, forward collision warning system (FCW), or collision mitigation system, is an advanced driver-assistance system designed to prevent or reduce the severity of a collision. System applied brakes bringing our Unit to a complete stop traveling 55 MPH on an Interstate while making a lane change, Because of this our Unit was rear-ended by another CMV, On board cameras video on both V1 and V2 clearly show incident. A print out of the DDEC shows code for braking system control at exact time of incident. …”

NHTSA complaint #11570495, filed 2024-02

“While driving on the highway on cruise at 70mph the right front brakes locked up. The day was clear. I was driving across a bridge. The truck pulled to the right and I fought to pull it back on to the road. My company has the incident on camera. I was pulling a loaded tanker. Had the pavement been wet or snowy I could have easily jack knifed. If a vehicle would have been next to me I would have struck them. The vehicle was inspected by our mechanic and was told the system was within specs. The truck has also hard braked and pulled to the right when vehicles in the lane next to it are turning.”

NHTSA complaint #11621849, filed 2024-10

“Wednesday 13 July, 2022 6:45pm PDT. Location US395 Lakeview, OR. Collision Avoidance System(CAS) applied maximum AEB braking for a false detection of obstruction in my travel lane. I was following a pickup and horse trailer at about 45mph. The pickup signaled a left turn and slowed. I applied minimum braking. The pickup and trailer turned clearing my travel lane(the tail end of the trailer was in the opposing lane). At this moment the CAS detected a collision warning(I was still applying some braking) and the AEB slammed on the brakes for about half second then canceled. …”

NHTSA complaint #11474018, filed 2022-07

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2024214%
202318%
2022538%
2021319%
2020727%
20191034%
2018327%
2017111%
201618%
2015319%
2014325%
2013229%
201216%
2011217%
200915%

Other parts of the 2020 Freightliner Cascadia

Forward collision avoidance
11 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsTires
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2020 Freightliner Cascadia

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology