Recall 12V138 affects 5,247 2012 Freightliner Western Star and Cascadia trucks for defective driver-seat welds. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
Freightliner is recalling 5,247 2012 Cascadia and Western Star vehicles because certain National Seat driver seat bases have out-of-specification welds that can let the seat buckle unexpectedly. Unexpected seat movement can affect control and visibility, increasing crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once Freightliner makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The driver's seat base in the 2012 Freightliner Western Star and Cascadia trucks is the metal support under the driver's seat. It anchors the seat to the cab floor and keeps the driver in a stable position while steering, braking, and shifting. The base also carries the driver's weight through bumps and normal cab movement.
Some trucks have National Seat brand driver's seats with welds on the seat base that were not made to specification. A weld is the fused joint that holds metal parts together. If that joint lacks the intended strength, the seat base can buckle unexpectedly instead of holding its shape under load.
There is no warning sign before failure. The seat base can look normal until the weld gives way, so a driver should treat an included VIN as the deciding factor rather than waiting for looseness, noise, or visible damage.
Who's affected?
Covers the Western Star and Cascadia truck lines from the 2012 model year, both tied to the seat assembly.
| 2012 Freightliner Western Star | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2012 Freightliner Cascadia | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 5,247 |
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?
Unexpected seat movement can affect vehicle control and visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. If the seat shifts, pull over when safe and arrange service before using the vehicle again. Repair will be free at any franchised Freightliner dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Freightliner Western Star or Cascadia is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to confirm repair status for the driver-seat weld recall.
- Ask for the free seat-base replacement components that correct the out-of-specification welds.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 12V138 when you call.
- Avoid driving the truck if the driver seat moves unexpectedly, since seat movement can affect control and visibility.
What happens at the repair
At a Freightliner authorized service facility, a Freightliner technician installs the replacement components covered by recall 12V138. The source remedy does not name each replacement part, but it identifies the driver seat base as the area being corrected. DTNA's final remedy began on November 21, 2012. Parts and labor are free under the recall, and the service facility handles the replacement work for affected vehicles.
Timeline
| April 2, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 21, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V138?
Recall 12V138 covers 5,247 2012 Freightliner Western Star and Cascadia vehicles with National Seat brand driver seat bases that have out-of-specification welds. The seat can buckle unexpectedly, affecting vehicle control and visibility and increasing crash risk. Freightliner service facilities install replacement components for free.
What should I do if my 2012 Freightliner Western Star or Cascadia is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 12V138. If it is, contact a Freightliner authorized service facility and ask for the seat-base recall repair. Reference recall 12V138 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the remedy for recall 12V138 is free replacement components installed by Freightliner authorized service facilities.
Is it safe to drive before the seat repair is done?
Recall 12V138 does not carry a do-not-drive order. The safety risk is that unexpected driver-seat movement can affect vehicle control and visibility. Check your VIN, schedule the free repair if your vehicle is included, and ask the service facility for guidance if the seat feels loose or unstable.
When did the final repair become available?
The final remedy for recall 12V138 began on November 21, 2012. Freightliner had mailed an interim owner letter on May 16, 2012. If you own the vehicle now and never received a notice, check your VIN because ownership changes do not cancel the free recall repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V138000 |
|---|---|
| Freightliner customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V138 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V138000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notice (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (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 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →