2009 Freightliner CASCADIA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
19 owner complaints analyzed
24 distinct recall campaigns
300,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 19 complaints (42.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 7 | 36.8% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 21.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 21.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 5.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 8 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 |
Steering: 8; Electrical System: 3; Steering:Rack And Pinion: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Power Train:Clutch Assembly: 1; Service Brakes, Air: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 8 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 8
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 8 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2009: 4; 2010: 1; 2011: 4; 2012: 1; 2013: 2; 2014: 1; 2015: 3; 2016: 2; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10281432 · 2009-08-22 (August 22, 2009)
I AM AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR FOR CR ENGLAND, INC. (TRUCKING) I LEASED A 2009 FREIGHTLINER, WHICH HAS A DEFECTIVE RACK AND PINION STEERING AS HAVE DOZENS/ HUNDREDS OF OTHERS OF THE SAME MODEL THIS YEAR! WHY HASN'T THIS MAJOR SAFETY DEFECT BEEN FORMALLY RECALLED? IS IT BECAUSE ALL OF THE DRIVERS HAVE REPORTED THE INTENSE LOSS OF FRONT TIRE RUBBER AND THE DEFECTS THUS FAR HAVE BEEN FORTUNATELY REPORTED AND REPAIRED WITHOUT A MASSIVE ROAD ACCIDENT THAT MIGHT CLAIM HUNDREDS/ THOUSANDS OF LIVES IF CARRYING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS? LOSS OF STEERING WO…
Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10281432 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10383015 · 2011-02-16 (February 16, 2011)
RACK AND PINION STEERING LOCKING ON TRUCKS WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD,I HAVE 4 TRUCKS ALL WITH RACK AND PINION STEERING, THEY ARE LOCKING UP SO DRIVERS CAN NOT TURN OR STEER THEM.*TR
Owner-reported narrative. 300,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10383015 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10257781 · 2009-02-07 (February 7, 2009)
IT APPEARS THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL ON MY TRUCK DOES NOT WORK WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS, WIPERS OR FLASHERS ARE ON. THERE ARE NO WARNINGS, NOTICES, STICKERS OR DOCUMENTATION THAT CAME WITH THE TRUCK ADVISING THAT THIS WOULD OCCUR. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE INCORPORATED INTO ALL NEW FREIGHTLINER TRUCKS BUT THEY NEGLECT TO TELL YOU BEFORE OR AFTER GETTING ONE. 2 OCCURRENCES WHEN I WAS TAKEN BY SURPRISE THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING WHEN USING THE FLASHERS AND WIPERS. FIRST: THIS CRUISE CONTROL ISSUE ALMOST …
Owner-reported narrative. 950 miles reported. Look up ODI 10257781 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10366504 · 2010-11-17 (November 17, 2010)
IT APPEARS THAT A LEAK IN THE WINDSHIELD HAS CAUSED THE COMPUTER/ELECTRONICS TO GO HAYWIRE WHILE DRIVING IN A RAIN STORM. WIPERS WOULD STOP WORKING, ENGINE SHUT DOWN LIGHTS WOULD COME ON AND OFF, WINDSHIELD WASHERS JUST STARTED SHOOTING FLUID ONTO THE WINDSHIELD, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND DIDN'T GO OFF. SEVERAL OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS STOPPED WORKING. THE COMPUTER AND FUSE BLOCK WAS REPLACED. PRIOR TO THE MAJOR PROBLEMS THEY TRIED TO REPAIR THE LEAK 4 TIMES. THE 5TH TIME THEY THOUGHT THEY FOUND THE LEAK IN A MARKER LIGHT ABOVE T…
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10366504 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10780487 · 2015-10-07 (October 7, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE RIGHT TURN WAS ACTIVATED AND FAILED TO DEACTIVATE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SIGNAL LIGHT WOULD BE COME INOPERABLE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SAM CAB FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT.THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V127000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAI…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10780487 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10525935 · 2013-07-20 (July 20, 2013)
I AM AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR TO CR ENGLAND. WHILE SOUTHBOUND ON I-77 TOLL ROAD 000.2 MILES SSW OF GALLAGHER WV APPROX. 20:54:00HRS I SMELLED HEAVY EXHAUST GASSES WHEN PAUSED BACK AT THE TOLL BOOTH. I ATTRIBUTED THIS TO A VEHICLE IN FRONT THAT WAS OUT OF TUNE AND CONTINUED SOUTH. THE ODOR DID NOT GO AWAY SO I PULLED OVER TO THE HARD SHOULDER TO INVESTIGATE. AS I MOVED INTO THE SHOULDER THE DASH LIGHTS LIT UP AND FLASHED. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR TO CHECK THE CRACKLING NOISE COMING FROM BEHIND THE FIREWALL. SMO…
Owner-reported narrative. 316,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10525935 at NHTSA ↗