Recall 12V601 covers 515 2012 Freightliner Cascadia and Coronado trucks with APU access doors that separate. Thermo King dealers repair it free.
Freightliner is recalling 515 2012 Cascadia and Coronado tractor trailers equipped with Thermo King TriPac auxiliary power units because the lower maintenance access panel door can dislodge and separate. A door that falls from the APU while driving creates a road hazard for other drivers, and the Freightliner dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The affected equipment is the Thermo King TriPac auxiliary power unit on certain 2012 Freightliner Cascadia and Coronado tractors. An APU supplies power for truck systems when the main engine is not doing that job, and its bottom maintenance access panel is the removable cover that lets a technician reach service points inside the unit. That panel also closes the underside of the APU while the tractor is in service.
On the recalled tractors, the maintenance access panel door on the bottom of the APU can dislodge and separate. The filing does not identify a deeper part defect, such as a bracket, latch, or fastener condition. The practical problem is simpler: a panel that is supposed to stay attached to the APU can come loose from the unit.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or driver should not count on a noise, light, or dashboard message to show that the panel is about to separate.
Who's affected?
Covers the Cascadia and Coronado truck lines under the same equipment component.
| 2012 Freightliner Cascadia | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 2012 Freightliner Coronado | Equipment |
| Units affected | 515 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the APU panel door separates while the vehicle is moving, the loose door can become a road hazard for other drivers. No warning sign is listed before separation, so confirm by VIN and contact a dealer for recall status if your vehicle is included. Repair will be free at any franchised Freightliner dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Freightliner Cascadia or Coronado is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Freightliner dealer and ask whether recall 12V601 is open for your VIN.
- Schedule the free Thermo King APU panel-door inspection and replacement if the dealer confirms your truck is included.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 12V601 when you call.
- Inspect the APU panel door before driving and avoid operating the truck if the door is loose or missing.
What happens at the repair
The DTNA remedy describes inspection of the Thermo King TriPac auxiliary power unit on affected 2012 Freightliner Cascadia and Coronado trucks. At the dealer, a Freightliner technician checks the maintenance access panel door on the bottom of the APU and replaces any affected panel door free of charge. The recall began February 25, 2013, but the current remedy-status field does not confirm an open scheduling status here. Contact a Freightliner dealer with your VIN and ask the service desk to confirm the APU inspection and panel-door replacement path.
Timeline
| December 21, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 25, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V601?
Recall 12V601 covers 515 2012 Freightliner Cascadia and Coronado tractor trailers equipped with certain Thermo King TriPac auxiliary power units. The maintenance access panel door on the bottom of the APU can dislodge and separate. The remedy is an APU inspection and free replacement of affected panel doors.
What should I do if my 2012 Freightliner Cascadia or Coronado is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific tractor is included in recall 12V601. If it is, contact a franchised Freightliner dealer and reference recall number 12V601. Ask the service desk to route the Thermo King APU inspection and panel-door replacement. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 12V601, the APU inspection and replacement of affected maintenance access panel doors are free for included 2012 Freightliner Cascadia and Coronado vehicles.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is a road hazard for other drivers. If the maintenance access panel door separates from the Thermo King TriPac APU while the tractor is being driven, the loose door can fall into traffic. The free remedy is an inspection and replacement of affected panel doors.
What if I bought this Freightliner used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2012 Freightliner Cascadia or Coronado is included, then contact a franchised Freightliner dealer and reference recall number 12V601.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V601000 |
|---|---|
| Freightliner customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V601 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V601000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (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 →