2011 Freightliner CASCADIA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
23 distinct recall campaigns
483,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 12 complaints (41.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 3 | 25.0% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 25.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 16.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 16.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 8.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 8.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 1 |
Electrical System: 5; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Engine: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Power Train: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Fuel System, Diesel: 1; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 7
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 3 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 |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
2011: 2; 2012: 2; 2015: 3; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 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 10421029 · 2011-08-22 (August 22, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH IN THE VEHICLE WOULD CAUSE A DECREASE IN ENGINE RPMS AND THE VEHICLE WOULD ATTEMPT TO STALL. THE FAILURE WOULD PREVENT THE CONTACT FROM SHIFTING GEARS. THE CONTACT STATED THE JAKE, WHICH IS THE ENGINE COMPRESS BRAKE, AS TO BE RELEASED IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE MANUFACTURER SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS TOLD THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THEY WOULD HAVE TO SEND AN ENGIN…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10421029 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10809749 · 2015-12-11 (December 11, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND RESTARTED WHILE ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS WHERE ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT HE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V616000 (TRAILER HITCHES) BUT THE RECALL REMEDY WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 483,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 483,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10809749 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10691274 · 2015-02-28 (February 28, 2015)
1. AT FIRST, I FELT THE VEHICLE HESITATE WHEN I UP-SHIFT. I GOT INTO THE HIGHWAY AND THE ENGINE STARTED TO MISS GRADUALLY AND GETTING WORSE. I PULLED INTO A FREIGHT-LINER AND THE SAY THAT FUEL LINE IS CONTAMINATED BECAUSE THE FUEL PUMP BROKE INSIDE. THEY SAID THEY HAVE TO FLUSH OUT THE LINES AND REPLACE THE FILTER, INJECTORS, FUEL PUMP AND HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINES. I JUST BOUGHT A FULL TANK OF DIESEL BEFORE THE INCIDENT. ALL THE FUEL WILL BE DUMPED AND FUEL TANKS WILL BE CLEANED. I HAVE THE ESTIMATED REPAIR TO COST OVER $10,000 DOLLARS. I CALLE…
Owner-reported narrative. 538,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10691274 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11123999 · 2018-09-02 (September 2, 2018)
THIS VEHICLE IT'S HAVING POWER TRAIN PROBLEMS CAUSING THE VEHICLE BEEN HARD TO CONTROL ON THE ROAD PLUS ITS BRAKING WRONG AT TIMES. SOME TIMES IT BRAKE WELL, MOST OF THE TIMES IT DON'T BRAKE. ONGUARD SYSTEM TOO INTRUSIVE MAKING VERY HARD BRAKING IN FALSE ( BRIDGE DETECTED AS STOPED OBJET, ONGUARD IT FULL ALIGNED. TRANSMISSION IT'S NOT SMOOTH AT BACKING OR PULLING SLOWLY. MORE THAN 70,000 DOLLARS INVESTED IN REPAIRS IN A TIME OF 2.5 YEARS AND THE PROBLEMS PERSIST. FREIGHTLINER DEALERS SEEMS CARELESS ABOUT IT AND STATED IT'S NOT FAULT ON IT. AND…
Owner-reported narrative. 500,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11123999 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10691273 · 2015-02-28 (February 28, 2015)
1. AT FIRST, I FELT THE VEHICLE HESITATE WHEN I UP-SHIFT. I GOT INTO THE HIGHWAY AND THE ENGINE STARTED TO MISS GRADUALLY AND GETTING WORSE. I PULLED INTO A FREIGHT-LINER AND THE SAY THAT FUEL LINE IS CONTAMINATED BECAUSE THE FUEL PUMP BROKE INSIDE. THEY SAID THEY HAVE TO FLUSH OUT THE LINES AND REPLACE THE FILTER, INJECTORS, FUEL PUMP AND HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINES. I JUST BOUGHT A FULL TANK OF DIESEL BEFORE THE INCIDENT. ALL THE FUEL WILL BE DUMPED AND FUEL TANKS WILL BE CLEANED. I HAVE THE ESTIMATED REPAIR TO COST OVER $10,000 DOLLARS. I CALLE…
Owner-reported narrative. 538,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10691273 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11218765 · 2019-06-09 (June 9, 2019)
ON 5-24-19, I WAS TRAVELING WEST ON HWY 56, 4 MILES EAST OF HERINGTON KS. SUDDENLY WITHOUT NOTICE, MY ENGINE SHUT OFF, I WAS LEFT WITH A DEAD TRUCK, TRAVELING AT 62 MPH, AND MY TANKER WAS FULLY LOADED, I COULD NOT HOLD THE TRUCK ON THE ROAD, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE CAUGHT THE SOFT EDGE OF THE ROAD, AND I WAS PULLED INTO THE DITCH, MY SEMI ROLLED AND I WAS PINNED INSIDE THE CAB, EMS PERSONAL WORKED FOR OVER 90 MINUTES TO FREE ME FROM THE WRECKAGE. IM VERY LUCKY TO BE ALIVE, RECOVERY WILL TAKE MONTHS. I WANT TO SEE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS PROB…
Owner-reported narrative. 172,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11218765 at NHTSA ↗