Recall 10V053 affects 220 2010 Freightliner Cascadia trucks with improperly seated Pitman arm locking tabs. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
Freightliner is recalling 220 2010 Cascadia vehicles equipped with optional Sheppard HD94 steering gears because locking tabs on the pitman arm retaining washer were not seated during assembly. If the retainer unthreads, the pitman arm can disengage from the steering box, leading to loss of steering and crash risk; the Freightliner dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The steering gear on a 2010 Freightliner Cascadia turns driver input at the steering wheel into movement at the front wheels. The pitman arm is the heavy lever attached to the steering gear shaft; it transfers that movement into the steering linkage. A retainer and restraining washer keep that connection locked in place.
On affected Cascadia trucks with Sheppard HD94 steering gears, the restraining washer locking tabs were not seated into the pitman arm retainer notches during assembly. Those tabs are supposed to sit in the notches like a mechanical lock. When they are not seated, the retainer connection is not secured the way Freightliner intended.
There is no warning sign before failure. A driver should not count on steering noise, looseness, or a dashboard warning light to appear before the defect matters.
Who's affected?
| 2010 Freightliner Cascadia | steering gear |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 220 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific truck.
What's the safety risk?
If the pitman arm retainer unthreads, the pitman arm can separate from the steering box. That can take away steering control and increase the risk of a crash. Drive cautiously, and schedule the inspection as soon as the dealer can take the vehicle. Repair will be free at any franchised Freightliner dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2010 Freightliner Cascadia is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to confirm whether the free pitman-arm retainer inspection is open for your VIN.
- Ask the dealer to inspect the pitman-arm retaining mechanism, including the retainer torque and locking-tab seating.
- Bring the recall notice if Freightliner mailed one. If not, reference recall number 10V053 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the inspection is complete. If steering feels loose or abnormal, stop driving and call the dealer.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Freightliner technician inspects the pitman arm retainer to confirm it is properly torqued. The technician also checks that the restraining washer is installed correctly and that its locking tabs are seated in the retainer notches. This service is performed free of charge. Because the current remedy status is not listed as available, treat the dealer repair as free once the campaign is open for your VIN.
Timeline
| February 23, 2010 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 2, 2010 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 10V053?
Recall 10V053 covers 220 2010 Freightliner Cascadia trucks equipped with optional Sheppard HD94 steering gears. The pitman arm retaining washer locking tabs were not seated correctly during assembly, which can let the retainer unthread. Freightliner dealers will inspect and correct the pitman arm retainer for free.
What should I do if my 2010 Freightliner Cascadia is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 10V053. If it is, contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the steering gear inspection and repair. Reference recall number 10V053 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Freightliner dealers will inspect the pitman arm retainer torque and locking tab installation free of charge. Owners can also contact Daimler Trucks at 1-800-547-0712 for recall support.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of steering. If the pitman arm retaining mechanism is not fully installed, the retainer can unthread and the pitman arm can separate from the steering box. That can cause loss of steering and increase crash risk.
What if I bought this Freightliner Cascadia used?
The free recall repair still applies. Safety recalls follow the truck, not the first owner, so a used 2010 Freightliner Cascadia remains eligible if its VIN is included. Check your VIN, then give recall number 10V053 to a franchised Freightliner dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/10V053000 |
|---|---|
| Freightliner customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 10V053 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 10V053000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 3, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →