Recall 13V538 affects 81 2013 Freightliner Cascadia trucks with missing axle hub snap rings. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
Freightliner is recalling 81 2013 Cascadia vehicles because certain rear axle hubs were built without a locking snap ring. If the ring is missing, the rear wheels can separate from the vehicle and increase crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once Freightliner makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The rear axle hub on the 2013 Freightliner Cascadia supports the wheel end and lets the wheel rotate on the axle while carrying heavy load. A locking snap ring is a metal retaining ring that sits in a groove inside the hub assembly. Its job is to keep the hub parts seated in the correct position.
On affected Cascadia trucks, rear axles assembled by Meritor with ConMet Preset Plus Hubs were built with the axle hub missing that locking snap ring. Without the ring, the hub is not retained as designed. That leaves the wheel-end assembly dependent on parts that were not meant to hold position alone, so the hub assembly needs dealer inspection and correction.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or driver should not count on a noise, vibration, warning light, or handling change to reveal the missing snap ring.
Who's affected?
| 2013 Freightliner Cascadia | drive axle |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 81 |
Not every 2013 Freightliner Cascadia truck is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
A missing snap ring can let the rear wheels separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. If your VIN is included, schedule the dealer inspection soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Freightliner dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013 Freightliner Cascadia is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the free rear-axle hub inspection and lock-ring installation that secures the wheel end.
- Bring the recall notice if Daimler Trucks mailed one. If not, reference recall number 13V538 when you call.
- Limit driving until the inspection is complete; a missing snap ring can let the rear wheels separate and raise crash risk.
- Call Freightliner customer service at 1-503-745-6910 with questions about scheduling or dealer instructions.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Freightliner technician inspects the affected rear wheel ends for the axle hub locking snap ring. If the snap ring is missing, the technician installs the lock ring needed for that wheel end. The filing does not list a current remedy status, so treat the dealer fix as the free recall repair once the campaign repair is open for your VIN. The recall remedy began on December 26, 2013, and parts and labor are covered under campaign 13V538.
Timeline
| October 30, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 26, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V538?
Recall 13V538 covers 81 2013 Freightliner Cascadia vehicles with rear axles assembled by Meritor and ConMet Preset Plus hubs built from August 6, 2012 through December 7, 2012. The axle hub can be missing a locking snap ring, and Freightliner dealers will inspect the wheel ends and install lock rings for free.
What should I do if my 2013 Freightliner Cascadia is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 13V538. If it is, contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the rear wheel-end inspection. Reference recall number 13V538 or Freightliner recall number FL-653 when you call. The dealer 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 affected wheel ends and install the lock rings as needed free of charge. The recall repair began on December 26, 2013.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is rear wheel separation. If the hub is missing the locking snap ring, the rear wheels can separate from the truck, increasing crash risk. If your VIN is included, arrange the free Freightliner dealer inspection and repair before putting off the issue.
What if I bought this Freightliner Cascadia used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2013 Freightliner Cascadia is included, then contact a franchised Freightliner dealer and reference recall number 13V538 or FL-653.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V538000 |
|---|---|
| Freightliner customer service | 1-503-745-6910 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V538 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V538000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (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 →