Recall 17V452 affects 2,483 2018 Freightliner and Western Star trucks for tow hooks that can fail during recovery. Repair is free at franchised Freightliner dealers.
Freightliner is recalling 2,483 2018 trucks, including the M2 Business Class, Cascadia, 114SD, 122SD, 4700, and 5700, because tow hooks used during recovery can fail. If a tow hook breaks without warning, the sudden release of the vehicle increases injury risk; Freightliner dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The tow hooks on the 2018 Freightliner M2 Business Class, 122SD, Cascadia, 114SD, 4700, and 5700 are recovery points mounted to the truck so another vehicle or recovery rig can pull it when it is stuck or disabled. A tow hook is supposed to hold the pulling force and keep the recovery connection attached until the truck is moved safely.
On affected trucks, the installed tow hooks can fail during recovery use. The recall is limited to trucks built with certain tow hooks, and the available defect summary does not identify a separate owner-visible cause. If the hook breaks while recovery force is applied, the recovery connection no longer holds as intended.
There is no warning sign before failure. Do not assume the hook is safe because it looks normal from outside the truck.
Who's affected?
Covers six truck models under the same equipment component; no VIN range is listed.
| 2018 Freightliner M2 Business Class | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 2018 Freightliner 122SD | Equipment |
| 2018 Freightliner Cascadia | Equipment |
| 2018 Freightliner 114SD | Equipment |
| 2018 Western Star 4700 | Equipment |
| 2018 Western Star 5700 | Equipment |
| Units affected | 2,483 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 2 field incidents to date. |
A matching 2018 model name does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
A tow hook that fails during a recovery operation can release the vehicle suddenly and increase the risk of injury. There is no warning sign before failure, so avoid using the tow hooks for recovery until the inspection is complete. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Freightliner truck, including the M2 Business Class, 122SD, Cascadia, 114SD, 4700, or 5700, is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the free tow-hook inspection and replacement that addresses tow hooks that can fail during recovery.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 17V452 when you call.
- Avoid using the tow hooks for recovery until the dealer inspection and any needed replacement are complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Freightliner technician inspects the tow hooks used for recovery and checks their production date codes. If the date code falls within the recalled batch, the technician replaces the tow hooks. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered by the campaign. Because the remedy is already open, schedule service with a franchised Freightliner dealer and bring the truck in for inspection before using the tow hooks for recovery work.
Timeline
| July 17, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 14, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| September 14, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 14, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
| September 14, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V452?
Recall 17V452 covers 2,483 2018 Freightliner M2 Business Class, 122SD, Cascadia, 114SD, 4700, and 5700 trucks with recovery tow hooks that can fail during use. Freightliner dealers will inspect the tow hooks and replace affected hooks for free.
What should I do if my 2018 Freightliner M2 Business Class, 122SD, Cascadia, 114SD, 4700, or 5700 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 17V452. If it is, contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the tow hook inspection. Reference recall number 17V452 and Freightliner recall number FL-742 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 Freightliner dealers will inspect the tow hooks and replace affected hooks free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for trucks included in recall 17V452.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is injury during a recovery operation. If a tow hook fails without warning while the truck is being recovered, the sudden release of the vehicle can increase injury risk. Have the dealer inspect the tow hooks before using them for recovery.
What warning signs should I watch for?
There is no warning sign before tow hook failure in this recall. The official concern is failure without warning during a recovery operation. If your VIN is included, avoid using the tow hooks for recovery until a Freightliner dealer completes the inspection and any needed replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V452000 |
|---|---|
| Freightliner customer service | 1-800-745-8000 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V452 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V452000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →