Daimler Truck North America is conducting a third safety recall in the United States and Canada, affecting approximately 77,000 vehicles across seven model years, for brake module corrosion, which could cause pulling to one side of the road and increase the risk of a crash.
There is no crash associated with any of the three recalls involving more than 475,000 units. Among the vehicles built between June 2016 and March 2022, only a small number have the condition.
A small number of trucks in the recall are expected to have the problem.
The condition is likely to affect less than 1% of the recalled models. They are as follows:
- 2022 Freightliner 114SD
- 2017-2023 Freightliner Cascadia
- 2022-2023 Western Star 47X
- 2022-2023 Western Star 49X
The most recent recall, as reported on the website of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, involves modules on vehicles equipped with standard cruise control. Daimler informed the NHTSA that it did not believe those models were affected by the condition. The first two recalls involved trucks equipped with adaptive cruise control (ACC), which slows and speeds up based on the settings of the driver.
Chemical corrosion could impair the functionality of the brake modulator valve in all three recalls. During braking by automated roll stability control or other non-driver initiated braking, all braking force could be applied to one front wheel end. Due to uneven braking on the front axle, this could cause a sudden change in vehicle direction. The condition does not exist in regular service brakes.
Prior to complete chemical corrosion contamination of the modulator valve, drivers may notice an antilock brake malfunction light.
One report of non-adaptive cruise control brake pull
Since September, Daimler has been looking for cases of non-adaptive cruise control models exhibiting the brake pull condition. In October, it received a report from a driver. A controlled test conducted in February discovered the possibility of a sudden unexpected brake pull when electronic stability control or rollover stability control was activated.
“Out of an abundance of caution, DTNA decided to initiate a new voluntary safety recall [covering] all vehicles equipped with painted and unpainted front brake modulator valves, as well as the separate population that is not equipped with ACC,” the company stated in its NHTSA filing on February 10.
Vehicles affected will receive two front anodized modulator valves, one for each side. Repairs will be carried out in stages based on the location of the vehicles. Repairs will be carried out by DTNA-approved service centers. By April 10, dealers and customers will be notified via first-class mail.
